Choosing a Bedside Cot for Twins Twins in the newborn stage sleep best close to one another However, it's crucial to adhere to safe sleeping guidelines. A proper crib arrangement can help your twins develop the same routine of sleeping. A double bassinet with the option of dividing can be an ideal option for twins. These beds can be used to keep their children close during diaper changes and mid-night feedings. These beds are also ideal for babies who might outgrow their baby bassinets when they reach toddlerhood. Space-Saving If you adhere to safe sleeping guidelines, twins can sleep in a bedside crib side-by-side. They should be placed on their backs, with their heads touching and their feet on the opposite ends. Once they are big enough, they can also sleep together in a Moses Basket or regular crib. We are in love with this Delta double bassinet. bedside crib or cot includes a mesh divider, to keep babies separate, yet close to each and each other. It also has a pocket for storage for wipes and snacks. It folds flat and makes it easy to manoeuvre around the house or on trips. Another alternative is the EZ Fold Twin Bassinet from Walmart that swivels to bring the twins who are fussy closer to you for feedings and calming. The sides can be raised and lowered to allow access, and they secure themselves to ensure your child's 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 travel bag. It's also a lot less expensive than the Halo Bassinest Twin. Convenience It is not recommended that parents of twins sleep their babies in the same crib or bassinet. Instead the group Rednose recommends that twins be given their own secure sleeping space (crib or bassinet or portable crib) in the parent/caregiver's room until they are 12 months old to help reduce the risk of SIDS. This arrangement is also referred to as co-bedding, and it has been observed that twins who are used to this sleep environment will typically have a more synchronized sleep pattern than those who sleep separately. A twin bedside cot, such as the Teknum FELLOW 2 is an excellent option to accomplish this. It comes with two sets of bedding to ensure that each baby has their own space. This bedside cot is able to easily be moved from room to another as necessary, and also makes it easy to check on the babies without having to wake them by re-entering their sleeping zone or disrupting their sleep patterns. Double bassinets are a different option. They allow babies to sleep side-byside, and they're perfect for feedings or diaper changes during the middle of the night. The Halo Bassinest Twin, for instance, features a breathable mesh divider and adjustable height so that every baby is visible and reachable at all times, and the sides of the sleeper are raised and lower to give easy access. If you're looking for an affordable alternative, the Walmart-exclusive Twin EZ Fold Double Bassinet is similar, with two sleeping zones separated by mesh panels that allow babies to see each other and the entire mattress swivels 360 degrees for ease of access for each infant. Many parents have found that bedding twins in moses baskets, or a small bassinette, could be a good option for temporary situations such as a hospital stay or a family visit. This should only be done with the supervision of by a healthcare professional. They will ensure that the babies are appropriately placed in a crib with their feet at the bottom of the crib, and all bedding is tucked in. Safety When it comes to twins sleeping together, the most crucial safety feature is that each infant has their own space to sleep in. This will prevent the baby from being smothered, choked, or otherwise being choking 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 space to sleep in. This can be achieved by using an individual bassinet or twin bedside crib that you can bring up to your bed to feed or comfort one of the babies during the night. While recent SIDS risk reduction guidelines from the American Academy of Pediatrics encourage room sharing with a parent and disallow cobedding however, the reality is that many families with twins and higher-order multiples have trouble adhering to these guidelines (1). A previous study revealed that a majority of families with twins that were cobedded during the first three months at home opted for unsafe sleep practices (room sharing without cobedding). Parents of twins might not follow the current SIDS guidelines due to the desire to sleep longer and a absence of space in the home to accommodate multiple cribs. In addition the socioeconomic status of a family can influence their decisions about sleeping arrangements. If twins are positioned 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 put your twins in the same cot ensure that they are in a position where their feet are next to their heads and that their bedding is placed in each cot with a secure. This will reduce the possibility of them colliding on each other. A bassinet that is positioned at the bedside, like the Halo Bassinest Twin, is one of the safest and more convenient alternatives for twins who wish to sleep in a separate bed. This double bassinet has mesh walls to separate twins and give them their own safe, flat mattress to sleep on. It can be turned 360 degrees, which means you can bring your child closer to you without leaving your bed. The side walls automatically lower and then 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 similar features as the Halo Bassinest. Comfort The arrival of twins or multiples into the world is a major life-changing. They also require a great deal of planning and thinking regarding their sleeping arrangements and how they will get a good sleep. Parents often ask themselves what they can do to help their children feel more comfortable in the early years of their lives. 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 womb. The key is to ensure that the beds are large enough for the babies to feel comfortable without touching or bouncing around. It is important to be aware 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. It is important to remember that twins have different sleep patterns. You may find that one of them wakes more than the other, or prefers to be closer to you. In this case 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 that feature air-tight mesh dividers that create distinct sleeping zones. This is especially important for babies who are susceptible to overheating, or for families with c-section mothers. A reversible base as well as wheels that are easy to move are also helpful features. The Arm's Reach cot is a good option for this purpose, as it offers 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 have a smaller sleeping space than the Arm's Reach cot. Even if they're very close, it is not recommended for twins to share a bed with an adult. This could increase the risk of SIDS and lead to suffocation or strangulation. Instead, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that twins have their own secure sleeping areas, like cribs or bassinets, in their parents' room for the first six months.
