Choosing a Bedside Cot for Twins
It is best to keep your newborn twins close together however, you must adhere to safety sleep guidelines. Choosing the right crib arrangement can aid your twins in developing a consistent routine of sleep.
A double bassinet that has the option of dividing it is a great option for twins. These portable beds allow parents to keep their children close during mid-night feedings and diaper changes. These beds are also ideal for babies who might outgrow their bassinets for baby by the time they reach toddlerhood.
Space-Saving
If you follow the safe guidelines for sleeping, twins can be in a bedside crib side-by-side. They should sleep on their backs with their heads pointing towards each other and their feet at the opposite ends. They can also co-sleep in a Moses basket or a crib when they're old enough.
We really love this Delta double bassinet. It includes a mesh divider, so that babies can stay separate, yet close to each and each other. It comes with a handy storage compartment that can keep snacks and wipes in the vicinity as well. It is 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 that swivels to bring fussy twins closer to you for feeding and comfort. The sides lower and raise to make it easier for you to get in, and they lock into place for safety. It's a bit longer and heavier than other options however it is ideal for the second-floor or grandparents' homes. It also comes with a travel bag. It's also less expensive than the Halo Bassinest Twin.
Convenience
It is not recommended that parents of twins put their babies in the same crib or bassinet. Instead the group Rednose suggests that twins be given their own safe sleeping space (crib, bassinet or portable crib) in the parents' or caregiver's room until they are 12 months old to reduce the chance of SIDS. This arrangement is also known as co-bedding, and it has been observed that twins who are accustomed to this sleep environment will typically have a more synchronized sleeping pattern than twins who sleep in separate rooms.
One of the most efficient ways to make this work is to use twin bedside cots, like the Teknum FELLOW 2 that comes with two separate bedding sets to ensure that each baby has an individual and comfortable space. This bedside cot can also easily be moved from room to room as needed, and it makes it easy to monitor the baby without having to wake them by re-entering their sleeping zone or disrupting their rhythms.
Other options include double bassinets, that have been specifically designed to allow infants to stay side-by-side and are ideal for middle-of-the-night feedings or diaper changes. The Halo Bassinest Twin, for instance, features a breathable mesh divider and an adjustable height to ensure that each baby can be observed and reached at all times, and the sides of the sleeper are raised and lower to allow easy access. If you're looking for an affordable alternative, the Walmart exclusive Twin EZ Fold Double Bassinet is similar, having two sleep zones separated by a mesh panel that allows babies to see one another and the entire bed swivels 360 degrees for an easy access to every infant.
Many parents have discovered that bedding twins together with moses baskets or a smaller bassinette, can be a good solution in situations of a short duration, like hospital stays or a family visit. This should only be done under the supervision of a healthcare provider. They will make sure that the babies are properly placed in a crib with their feet at the foot of the crib, and all bedding tucked in.
Safety
When it comes to twins sleeping together, the most crucial security factor is that each baby has their own space to sleep in. This ensures that every infant is not smothered or otherwise infected by the other. This also helps to avoid cot deaths, which are more common in single infants than multiples.
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that triplets, twins, and higher-order multiples get their own sleep space. This can be achieved by using an additional bassinet, or a twin bedside crib you can bring up to your bed to feed or sooth one of the babies during the night.
While recent SIDS risk reduction recommendations from the American Academy of Pediatrics encourage room sharing with a parent and discourage cobedding however, the reality is that a lot of families with twins and higher-order multiples have trouble adhering to these guidelines (1). A previous study found that a majority of families of twins that were cobedded during the first 3 months at home, used unsafe sleep practices (room sharing without cobedding).
Parents of twins may not follow current SIDS risk reduction recommendations because of a desire to increase their own sleep duration and a lack of space to accommodate multiple cribs at home. Furthermore, socioeconomic status may affect the family's decisions regarding the arrangement of their sleep.
If twins are placed in a small Moses basket or crib, their bedding may easily be pulled together and they could choke on eachother. If you decide to put your twins in the same cot together, make sure they are in the position where their feet are next to their heads and that their bedding is put into the cots securely. This will reduce the chance of them choking on each one.
One of the safer and more practical options for twins to sleep independently is a bassinet that sits beside the bed like the Halo Bassinest Twin. The double bassinet comes with an enclosed mesh wall that can divide twins and give them their own safe, flat sleeping surface. It swivels a full 360 degrees, allowing you to bring your baby closer to you for feedings or soothing without having to leave the comfortable bed, and its side walls lower and automatically return with each movement. It is also easy to clean, and fits in a standard twin-sized bed frame. Check out the Delta Children Twin EZ Fold Double Bassinet at Walmart. It has the same features as the Halo Bassinest.
Comfort
The arrival of twins or multiples into the world is an enormous life altering. They require a lot of planning and consideration especially when it comes to where they will sleep and how they'll get a good night's rest. While decisions regarding their bedroom space are made when they are older parents often ask how they can help their children get comfortable in the early stages.
When twins are still young, they are able to share a cot. Co-bedding is a method of comforting newborns by bringing them back to their mother's womb. The most important thing is to ensure that the beds are big enough for the babies to be comfortable, without touching or rolling around. You should also remember that the baby that wakes up first must be fed. It is helpful to coordinate nighttime feeds so that you can get one up earlier than the other.
It is important to be aware that twins can have very different sleep routines. You might find that one of them wakes more than the other, or that they prefer to be nearer to you. In this instance, it may be best to provide each twin with their own crib or bassinet.
Choose a cot with twin beds that have breathable mesh dividers to create separate sleeping areas. This is crucial for infants that are prone to heat stroke or families whose moms have had a c-section. A reversible base as well as wheels that are easy to maneuver are also helpful features. The Arm's Reach cot is a great option for these needs, as it offers a large sleeping area and is designed with c-section moms in mind. The Graco Pack 'n Play or Fisher-Price Easy Swaivel are other options, but offer smaller sleeping spaces than the Arm's Reach cot.
Even if resources , it is not recommended for twins to share the bed with an adult. This increases the risk of SIDS and may result in suffocation strangulation, or entrapment. The American Academy of Pediatrics suggests that twins should be in their own bassinets or cribs in the parents' bedrooms for the first six months.