Choosing a Bedside Cot for Twins
Twins who are just born sleep best close to one another, but it's important to adhere to safe sleeping guidelines. Selecting the best crib arrangement can aid in the development of a consistent sleep routine.
A double bassinet with an divider is the ideal choice for twins. These portable beds allow parents to keep their children close during middle-of-the-night feeds and diaper changes. These beds are also great for babies who may outgrow their bassinets when they reach toddlerhood.
Space-Saving
Twins can sleep together in a bedside cot as long as you follow the safe sleeping guidelines (that's to say they should be lying on their backs with the tops of their heads overlapping each other, and their feet on opposite sides of the cot). They can also co-sleep in a Moses basket or regular crib once they're big enough.
This Delta double bassinet has mesh dividers that allow babies to be separated, but still close. It also has a storage pocket for snacks and wipes. It can also fold which makes it easy to move around the house and take on trips.
This EZ Fold Twin Bassinet, available at Walmart, swivels so that you can bring fussy twins nearer to you to feed them and comfort them. 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 larger and heavier than other options, but it's great for second floors or grandparents' houses and comes with its own travel bag. It's also less expensive than the Halo Bassinest Twin.
Convenience
Many parents of twins might be enticed to put the twins together in a single bassinet or crib but this is not generally recommended. Rednose suggests 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 lower the risk for SIDS. This is known as co-bedding. It has been demonstrated that twins who have grown in this environment develop a more synchronized sleeping pattern.
One of the easiest ways to make this work is to use a twin bedside cot like the Teknum FELLOW 2, that comes with two distinct 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 another as required, and provides a convenient way to monitor the baby without needing to wake them by re-entering their sleeping space or disrupting their sleep patterns.
Double bassinets are an alternative. They permit babies to sleep side-byside, and are ideal for feedings and diaper changes in the middle of the night. The Halo Bassinest Twin, for instance, comes with an air-tight mesh partition and a height that can be adjusted so that each child can be seen and reached at all times, and the sides of the sleeper can be raised and lowered to give easy access. If you prefer a more affordable alternative, the Walmart exclusive Twin EZ Fold Double Bassinet is similar, having two sleeping zones separated by mesh panels that allow babies to see each other and the entire mattress swivels 360 degrees for an easy access to every infant.
Many parents have found that bedding twins in moses baskets, or a small bassinette is a great option for temporary situations such as hospitalization or a family visit. This should only be done under the supervision a healthcare provider. They will make sure that the infants are correctly placed in a crib with their feet placed at the foot of the crib, and all bedding put in.
Safety
When it comes to twins sleeping together, the most important security feature is that each infant has their own sleep space. This ensures that each infant isn't smothered or choked by the other. It also helps to prevent cot death, which is more prevalent in infants with one parent than in multiples.
The American Academy of Pediatrics suggests that tritons, twins and higher-ordered triplets have their own space to sleep in. The best method to achieve this is to have an additional bassinet or twin bedside cots that could be positioned close to your bed when you feed or soothe one of the babies during the night.
Although recent SIDS risk reduction guidelines from the American Academy of Pediatrics encourage room sharing with parents and avoid cobedding but the reality is that many families of twins and other higher-order multiples have trouble adhering to these guidelines (1). A previous study documented that a large majority of families with twins who were cobedded in the first 3 months at home opted for unsafe sleeping 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 the inability to accommodate multiple cribs in the home. Additionally, socioeconomic status can influence family decisions regarding the arrangement of their sleep.
When twins are placed side-by-side in a tiny crib or Moses basket, they can easily get caught in their bedding, and possibly choke on each other. If you decide to place your twins in the same cot together ensure they are placed in the position where their feet are next to their heads and their bedding is put into each cot securely. This will decrease the possibility of them colliding on each one.
One of the safest and more practical options for twins to be able to sleep independently is a bedside bassinet like the Halo Bassinest Twin. The double bassinet features an enclosed mesh wall that can divide twins and give them their own safe, flat sleeping surface. It can be swiveled 360 degrees, so you can bring your baby closer to you without leaving your bed. The walls on the sides automatically lower and return with every movement. It is easy to clean, and can be tucked away into the standard twin-sized bed frame. Check out the Delta Children Twin EZ Fold Double Bassinet at Walmart. It comes with the same features to the Halo Bassinest.
Comfort
Welcoming twins or multiples to the world is a huge life-changing. Not least, they require a great deal of preparation and thought when it comes to their sleeping arrangements and how they will have a restful night. While bedside cot used regarding their bedroom space are made as they age, parents often wonder what they can do to help them get comfortable in the early stages.
It is possible for twins to share a cot when they are very small. Co-bedding is a method of helping newborns feel at ease by reminding them of their mother's womb. It is important to make sure the beds are large enough for the babies to feel comfortable without touching or bouncing around. It is also important to remember that the baby who wakes first must be fed. It is helpful to co-ordinate night feeds so that you can get one up earlier than the other.
It is important to be aware that twins have different sleep routines. You may find that one baby is waking more than the other or prefers to be close to you. In this situation, it may be best to provide each twin with their own crib or bassinet.
Look for twin bedside cots with breathable mesh dividers for sleeping areas that are separate. This is important for babies that are prone to heat stroke or for families in which moms have had a c-section. Other helpful features include an adjustable base, built-in storage space for blankets and toys, as well as easy-to-maneuver wheels. The Arm's Reach cot is an excellent option for this purpose since it provides 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 other options, but offer smaller sleeping spaces than the Arm's Reach cot.
It is not recommended to sleep with twins in the same bed with an adult even if they're close. It is an increased risk of SIDS and may result in suffocation strangulation or entrapment. Instead it is recommended that the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that twins sleep in their own safe sleeping areas, such as bassinets or cribs in their parent's room for the first six months.