Twin Bedside Cot: 10 Things I d Love To Have Known Earlier
Choosing a Bedside Cot for Twins
It is best to keep your newborn twins close together However, you must follow safety sleeping guidelines. A proper crib arrangement can aid your twins in establishing the same routine of sleeping.
A double bassinet with the option of dividing it is a great choice for twins. These portable beds allow parents to keep their babies near for mid-night feedings and diaper changes. These beds are also ideal for babies who might outgrow their bassinets for baby before they reach toddlerhood.
Space-Saving
As long as you adhere to safe sleeping guidelines, twins are able to sleep in a 4-in-1 bedside crib crib side-by-side. They should be placed on their backs with their heads pointing towards each other and their feet at opposite ends. They can also sleep together in a Moses basket or a regular crib once they're large enough.
We really love this Delta double bassinet, which includes a mesh divider, to allow babies to remain separate but close to each the other. It also comes with a storage compartment for wipes and snacks. It can also fold which makes it easy to move around the house and take on excursions.
Another option is this EZ Fold Twin Bassinet from Walmart, which swivels to bring your twins' fluttery little ones closer to you for feedings and calming. The sides can be lowered and raised for easy access and are locked in place for security. It's a bit longer and heavier than other models but is great for the second floor or homes for grandparents. It also comes with a carry-on bag. It's also less expensive than the Halo Bassinest Twin.
Convenience
Many parents of twins may be tempted to put the twins together in a single bassinet or crib, this is generally not recommended. Instead, the group Rednose recommends that twins be given their own safe sleeping space (crib or bassinet, or a portable crib) in the room of the parent or caregiver until they turn 12 months old to reduce the risk of SIDS. This arrangement is known as co-bedding. It has been proven that twins who grew up in this environment develop a more synchronized sleeping pattern.
One of the most efficient ways to make this work is by using twin bedside cots, like the Teknum FELLOW 2, which comes with two separate bedding sets so every baby can have a personal and comfortable space. The bedside cot can easily be moved from room to another as required, and allows you to check on the babies without having to wake them up by re-entering their sleeping space or disrupting their rhythms.
Other alternatives include double bassinets specially designed to allow infants to be side-by-side, and are perfect for mid-night feedings or diaper changes. The Halo Bassinest Twin, for instance, comes with a breathable mesh divider and adjustable height so that every baby is visible and reachable at all times, while the sides of the sleeper can be raised and lowered to allow easy access. Walmart's Twin EZ Fold Double Bassinet, which is a cheaper alternative, comes with two sleep zones that are separated by a mesh, which allows babies to see each other. The sleeper also swivels around 360 degrees to give easy access to infants.
Many parents have discovered that bedding twins in moses baskets or a small bassinette, could be a good option for situations that are temporary, such as hospitalization or a family visit. However it is recommended to do this only under the supervision of a healthcare professional to ensure that the babies are placed properly, with their feet to the floor of the cot and all bedding is securely tucked in to prevent them from suffocating.
Safety
The most important safety aspect for twins is that each baby have their own sleeping space. This will prevent every baby from being smothered, choked, or otherwise being choking by the other. This also helps to avoid cot deaths, which are more frequent with single infants than multiples.
The American Academy of Pediatrics suggests that tritons, twins and higher-ordered multis have their own sleeping space. This can be accomplished with an additional bassinet, or a twin bedside crib you can bring up to your bed to feed or sooth one of your babies during the night.
Although recent SIDS risk reduction recommendations from the American Academy of Pediatrics encourage room sharing with a parent and discourage cobedding but the reality is that many families of twins and other higher-order multiples aren't able to comply with these guidelines (1). A previous study found that a large majority of families of twins that were cobedded during the first three months at home opted for unsafe sleep practices (room sharing without cobedding).
Parents of twins may not adhere to current SIDS guidelines due to a desire to sleep longer and a absence of space in the home to accommodate multiple cribs. Additionally, socioeconomic status can influence family decisions regarding the arrangement of their sleep.
If twins are positioned side-by-side in a tiny crib or Moses basket, they may easily be entangled by their bedding and potentially choke on each other. If you choose to sleep your twins together in the same cot it is essential to place them in a head-to-foot position and have their bedding secured in each travel cot bedside crib to limit their chances of smothering each other.
One of the safest and more convenient alternatives for twins to sleep separately is a bedside crib vs cot bassinet like the Halo Bassinest Twin. This double bassinet has mesh walls to separate twins and give them their own flat, safe mattress to sleep on. It rotates 360 degrees to bring one of your children closer to you for feedings or to soothe without having to leave the comfortable bed, and its side walls lower and auto-return every time you move. It's easy to clean and fits in a standard twin bed frame. If you're looking for a cheaper alternative, look into the Delta Children Twin EZ Fold Double Bassinet, which is available at Walmart and offers similar features to the Halo Bassinest.
Comfort
It's a huge change to welcome twins or multiples into the world. Not only that, they require a lot of preparation and thought in regards to their sleeping arrangements and how they can get a good night's sleep. While decisions regarding their bedroom space can be taken later in life, parents often wonder what they can do to help them to settle in the early stages.
It is possible for twins to share a single cot when they are very small. This is referred to as co-bedding, and it can be a great comfort to newborns as it reminds them of the womb. The most important thing is to ensure that the beds are large enough for the babies to be comfortable, without touching or rolling around. You should also remember that the baby that awakes first must be fed. It is helpful to coordinate nighttime feeds to ensure that you wake up one baby before the other.
It is important to keep in mind that twins may have different sleep patterns. You might find that one baby is waking more than the other or they prefer to be closer to you. In this case it might be best to give each twin their own crib or bassinet.
Look for twin bedside cots that have breathable mesh dividers for separate sleeping areas. This is particularly important for babies who are prone to overheating, or families with c-section moms. A reversible base as well as wheels that are easy to maneuver are also beneficial features. The Arm's Reach cot for bedside is a great option for this purpose because it has a spacious sleeping area and is designed with moms who have c-sections 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.
It is not recommended that twins sleep in the same bed as an adult, even if they are close. This increases the risk of SIDS, and could lead to suffocation, strangulation, or entrapment. The American Academy of Pediatrics suggests that twins should sleep in their own bassinets or cribs in their parents' room for the first 6 months.