Ten Situations In Which You'll Want To Learn About Twin Bedside Cot
Choosing a Bedside Cot for Twins
Twins who are just born sleep best close to one another, but it's important to adhere to the safe sleep guidelines. The proper crib arrangement will help your twins develop the same routine of sleeping.
A double bassinet with an divider is an ideal option for twins. These portable beds let parents keep their infants close for diaper changes and mid-night feedings. They are also great for infants that may outgrow their bassinets prior to 2.
Space-Saving
If you follow safe sleeping guidelines, twins can be in a bedside crib side-by-side. They should be positioned on their backs with their heads pointing towards each other and their feet at the opposite ends. When they're old enough, they may also sleep together in a Moses Basket or a regular crib.
We are in love with this Delta double bassinet. It includes a mesh divider, to allow babies to remain separated but still close to one and each other. It has a handy storage compartment to keep wipes and snacks nearby as well. It's also foldable which makes it easy to move around the home and travel with on trips.
Another alternative is this EZ Fold Twin Bassinet from Walmart, which swivels to bring the twins who are fussy closer to you for feedings and comfort. The sides lower and raise for access and secure themselves to ensure your child's security. It's a bit heavier and longer than some other options, but it's great for second floors or grandparent houses, and it comes with its own travel bag. It's also less expensive than the Halo Bassinest Twin.
Convenience
Many parents of twins may be tempted to place their babies in a single bassinet or crib but this is not generally recommended. Rednose recommends that twins have their own safe sleeping space (crib, portable crib, or bassinet) in the room of the caregivers/parents until they reach the age of 12 months to reduce the risk of SIDS. This arrangement is also referred to as co-bedding. It has been observed that twins who are accustomed to this type of sleeping environment typically have a more synchronized sleeping pattern than twins who sleep separately.
One of the most convenient methods to accomplish this is to use a twin bedside cot, like the Teknum FELLOW 2, that comes with two separate bedding sets so every baby can have an area that is comfortable and private. This bedside cot can also 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 up by re-entering their sleeping zone or disrupting their rhythms.
Double bassinets are another option. They permit babies to sleep side-byside, and they're perfect for feedings and diaper changes in the middle of the night. The Halo Bassinest Twin, for instance, features a breathable mesh divider and an adjustable height to ensure that every baby can be seen and reached throughout the night, and the sides of the sleeper are raised and lower to give easy access. If you're looking for a more affordable alternative, the Walmart exclusive Twin EZ Fold Double Bassinet is similar, featuring two separate sleeping zones, separated by a mesh panel that allows babies to see one another and the entire bed is able to rotate 360 degrees, giving an easy access to every infant.
Many parents have realized that bedding twins together with moses baskets or a smaller bassinette, is a great option for temporary situations such as a hospital stay or a family visit. However it is recommended to do this only under the supervision of a healthcare professional to ensure that babies are placed properly in a cot, with their feet at the floor of the cot and all bedding securely tucked in, to avoid them from becoming suffocating.
Safety
When it comes to twins sleeping together, the most crucial security factor is that each infant has their own sleep space. This ensures that each infant isn't smothered or trapped by the other. This also helps avoid cot death, which is more common in single babies than in multiples.
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that triplets, twins, and higher-order multiples have their own sleeping space. The best method to achieve this is by having an additional bassinet or twin bedside cots that can be placed close to your bed while you're feeding or soothing one of your babies throughout the night.
While recent SIDS risk reduction recommendations from the American Academy of Pediatrics encourage room sharing with parents and disallow cobedding, the reality is that many families of twins and higher-order multiples have difficulty complying with these guidelines (1). A previous study found that a large majority of families of twins who were cobedded during the first 3 months at home opted for unsafe sleep practices (room sharing without cobedding).
Parents of twins may not follow the current SIDS risk reduction guidelines because of a desire to prolong their own sleep and a lack of space to accommodate multiple cribs in the home. Furthermore, socioeconomic status may influence family decisions regarding sleeping arrangements.
If twins are put in a small Moses basket or crib, their bedding can easily get caught in their midst and they could choke eachother. If you choose to put your twins in the same cot, it's important to place them in a head-to-foot position and their bedding tucked securely into the cots to reduce the chance of them smothering each one.
One of the safest and more comfortable alternatives for twins to sleep independently is a bassinet that sits beside the bed like the Halo Bassinest Twin. The double bassinet features mesh walls to separate twins and give them their own flat, safe sleep surface. It can be turned 360 degrees, meaning you can bring your child closer to you without having to leave your bed. The walls on the sides automatically lower and return with every movement. It is also easy to clean, and fits into a standard twin-sized bed frame. Check out the Delta Children Twin EZ Fold Double Bassinet at Walmart. rocking bedside crib has the same features to the Halo Bassinest.
Comfort
Welcoming twins or multiples to the world is a huge life altering. They also require a great deal of planning and consideration in regards to their sleeping arrangements and how they will get a good night's sleep. While decisions regarding their bedroom space can be taken later in life parents are often unsure of what they can do to help them to settle in the early stages.
It is possible for twins to share a cot if they are small. This is referred to as co-bedding, and can provide great comfort to newborns as it reminds them of the birthing process. The key is to ensure that the beds are big enough for babies to be comfortable, without touching or rolling around. Also, keep in mind that the baby who is the first to wake up must be fed. It is beneficial to coordinate night feeds in order to get one baby up before the other.
However, it is important to keep in mind that twins are very different and they might develop their own sleep patterns. It could be that one child wakes more than the other, or prefers to be nearer to you. In this case it is possible to provide each twin with their own crib or bassinet.
When looking for a twin bedside cot look for models that feature breathable mesh dividers to create distinct sleeping spaces. This is crucial for infants who are at risk of heat stroke or for families in which moms have had a c-section. A reversible base and wheels that are easy to move are also useful features. The Arm's Reach cot, designed for c-section mothers is a great option because it offers a huge sleeping space and is easy to maneuver. The Graco Pack 'n Play or Fisher-Price Easy Swaivel are also options, but have a smaller sleeping space than the Arm's Reach cot.
It is not recommended that twins sleep in the same bed as an adult, even if they are very close. This could increase the risk of SIDS and lead to strangulation or suffocation. The American Academy of Pediatrics suggests that twins be in their own bassinets or cribs in their parents' bedrooms for the first six months.