Twin Bedside Cot: The Good, The Bad, And The Ugly
Choosing a Bedside Cot for Twins
Twins in the newborn stage sleep best close to one another It's vital to adhere to the safe sleep guidelines. Selecting the best crib arrangement can aid in the development of an established routine for sleep.
A double bassinet that has an divider is a great choice for twins. These beds can be used as portable beds to let parents keep their infants close for feedings in the middle of the night and diaper changes. These beds are also great for babies who might outgrow their bassinets for baby before they reach toddlerhood.
Space-Saving
If you follow the safe guidelines for sleeping, twins can sleep in a crib that is bedside side-by-side. They should be placed on their backs with their heads in a straight line and their feet at opposite ends. When they're old enough, they can sleep together in a Moses Basket or regular crib.
This Delta double bassinet comes with mesh dividers that allow children to be separated but still close. It also has a storage pocket for snacks and wipes. Plus, it folds flat making it easy to manoeuvre around the house or go on trips.
Another alternative is this EZ Fold Twin Bassinet from Walmart that swivels to bring your twins' fluttery little ones closer to you for feeding and calming. The sides can be raised and lowered to make it easier for you to get in, and they are secured to ensure security. It's a little larger and heavier than other options, but it's great for second floors or grandparents houses, and it comes with a travel bag. It's also much cheaper than the Halo Bassinest Twin.
Convenience
It is not recommended that parents of twins sleep their babies in the same crib or bassinet. Rednose suggests that twins have their own secure sleeping space (crib, portable crib, or bassinet) in the room of the caregivers/parents until they reach the age of 12 months old to lower the chance of SIDS. This arrangement is also referred to as co-bedding. It has been found that twins who are used to this sleeping environment will often form a more synchronized sleeping pattern than twins who sleep separately.
One of the most efficient ways to make this work is by using a twin bedside cot, like the Teknum FELLOW 2 which comes with two separate bedding sets so each baby has a personal and comfortable space. The bedside cot can easily be moved from room to room when needed, and it provides a convenient way to check on the babies without having to wake them by re-entering their sleeping space or disrupting their routines.
Double bassinets are a different option. They allow infants to sleep side-by-side and they're perfect for feedings and diaper changes in the middle of the night. The Halo Bassinest Twin has a mesh panel that breathes and is adjustable in height to allow each baby to be seen and reachable at all times. The sides of the sleeper can lower and raise to allow for easy access. Walmart's Twin EZ Fold Double Bassinet which is a more affordable alternative, has two sleeping zones separated by a mesh, permitting babies to view each the other. The sleeper also rotates around 360 degrees to give an easy access for infants.
For short-term situations, such as an unexpected family visit or hospital stay Parents have reported success with co-bedding twins in a large moses basket or small bassinette with a divider. However, this should be done only under the supervision of a medical professional to ensure that the babies are placed properly, with their feet to the foot of the cot, and all bedding securely tucked in, to prevent them from suffocating.
Safety
When twins sleep together, the most important security feature is that each infant has their own space to sleep in. This ensures that each infant is not smothered or otherwise choked by the other. It also helps to prevent deaths in the cot, which are more common in single babies than in multiples.
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that triplets, twins and higher-order multiples get their own sleeping space. The best way to do this is with an additional bassinet or twin bedside cots that can be brought up close to your bed when you feed or soothe one of your babies throughout the night.
Although the American Academy of Pediatrics has recently issued guidelines to lower the risk of SIDS by encouraging room sharing and discouraging cobedding, many families of multiples and twins find it difficult to adhere to these guidelines (1). A previous study found that a majority of families of twins who were cobedded during the first 3 months at home used unsafe sleeping practices (room sharing without cobedding).
Parents of twins may not adhere to current SIDS guidelines due to the desire to rest longer and the lack of space at home to accommodate multiple cribs. Additionally the socioeconomic standing of a family may influence their choices regarding the arrangement of their sleep.
If twins are put in a small Moses basket or crib, their bedding may easily get caught in their midst and they could choke on each other. If you decide to sleep your twins together in the same cot, it is essential to place them in a head-to-foot position and their bedding securely tucked into each cot to minimize the possibility of them colliding with each one.
A bedside bassinet, such as the Halo Bassinest Twin, is one of the most secure and most convenient options for twins who want to sleep separately. This double bassinet comes with an insulated mesh wall that separates twins to give them each their own secure and comfortable, flat sleeping surface. It can rotate 360 degrees to bring one of your children closer to you for feedings or calming without leaving the peace of your bed. Its sides lower and auto-return every time you move. It's easy to clean and can be tucked away in a standard twin bed frame. If you're looking for a less expensive alternative, look into the Delta Children Twin EZ Fold Double Bassinet, which is available at Walmart and has similar features to the Halo Bassinest.
Comfort
The arrival of twins or multiples into the world is an enormous life altering. They also require a great deal of preparation and thought when it comes to their sleeping arrangements and how they'll have a restful night. While bedside cots for newborns regarding their bedroom space can be taken when they are older parents are often unsure of how they can help their children to settle in the early stages.
It is possible for twins to share a single cot when they are very small. Co-bedding is a method for helping newborns feel at ease by reminding them of their mother's womb. It is essential to ensure that the beds are big enough for newborns to feel at ease without having to touch one others or roll around. It is important to be aware that the baby who awakes first should be fed. It can be helpful to coordinate feeding times at night so that you can wake one up before the other.
However, it is important to keep in mind that twins are very different and they might have their own sleep routines. You might find that one baby is waking more frequently than the other or prefers to be closer to you. In this situation it could be beneficial for the twins to have their own crib or bassinet in their room.
When looking for a twin bedside cot, look for models with breathable mesh dividers to create separate sleeping areas. This is especially important for babies more prone to overheating or families with c-section moms. Other useful features include a reversible base, built-in storage for toys and blankets, and easy-to-maneuver wheels. The Arm's Reach cot is a good choice for these purposes because it has a large sleeping area and is designed with moms who have c-sections in mind. The Graco Pack 'n Play or Fisher-Price Easy Swaivel are also options, but offer smaller sleeping spaces than the Arm's Reach cot.
It is not recommended to sleep with twins in the same bed as an adult even if they're close. This can increase the risk of SIDS and cause strangulation or suffocation. The American Academy of Pediatrics suggests that twins be kept in their bassinets or cribs in their parents' bedrooms for the first six months.