Choosing a
bedside crib with changing table Cot for Twins
Newborn twins sleep best when close to one another, but it's important to adhere to the safe sleep guidelines. Choosing the right crib arrangement will help your twins develop a consistent routine of sleep.
A double bassinet with a divider can be the ideal choice for twins. These beds can be used to keep their babies close for diaper changes and mid-night feedings. They are also ideal for babies who may outgrow their bassinets before 2 years old.
Space-Saving
Twins can share a bed in a bedside cot, as long as you follow the safe guidelines for sleeping (that's to say they should lie on their backs, with the tops of their heads touching each other and their feet placed at opposite sides of the cot). When they're big enough, they can also sleep together in a Moses Basket or regular crib.
This Delta double bassinet comes with mesh dividers that allow children to be separated but still close. It comes with a handy storage pocket to keep snacks and wipes close by and also snacks. It folds flat and makes it easy to manoeuvre around the house or take on trips.
This EZ Fold Twin Bassinet, available at Walmart is swivelling to allow you to bring your twins closer to you to feed them and soothe them. The sides are lowered and raised to allow access and lock into place for safety. It's a bit heavier and longer than other options, but it's perfect for second floors or grandparents homes, and it comes with a
travel bedside crib bag. It's also a lot less expensive than the Halo Bassinest Twin.
Convenience
While many parents of twins may be tempted to place their babies in a single crib or bassinet but this is not generally recommended. Rednose recommends that twins have their own secure sleeping area (crib, portable crib, or bassinet) in the room of the caregivers/parents until they reach 12 months to lower the risk 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 generally have a more coordinated sleeping pattern than twins who sleep in separate rooms.
One of the most convenient ways to make this work is with a
twin bedside cot, like the Teknum FELLOW 2, that comes with two distinct bedding sets, so that 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 makes it easy to check on babies without needing to wake them by re-entering their sleep zone or disrupting their routines.
Double bassinets are another option. They allow infants to sleep side-by-side and are perfect for diaper changes or feedings in the middle of the night. The Halo Bassinest Twin has a mesh panel that breathes and is adjustable in height to allow each baby to be seen and reachable at all times. The sides of the sleeper can adjust to lower and raise for quick access. Walmart's Twin EZ Fold Double Bassinet, which is a cheaper option, has two sleep zones that are separated by a mesh panel which allows babies to see each other. The sleeper can also rotate around 360 degrees to allow easy access to the infants.
Many parents have discovered that co-bedding twins with moses baskets or a
small bedside cot bassinette is a great option in situations of a short duration, such as a hospital stay or a visit to the family. This should only be done under the supervision of by a healthcare professional. They will ensure that the infants are correctly placed on their feet at the foot of the crib and all bedding tucked into.
Safety
The most important security feature for twins is that both babies has their own space to sleep. This will prevent every baby from being smothered, choked, or otherwise being choked by the other. It also helps prevent deaths in cots, 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 space to sleep in. This can be achieved by using an individual bassinet or a twin bedside crib you can put on your bed to feed or soothe one of the babies throughout the night.
Although the American Academy of Pediatrics has recently issued guidelines to lower the risk of SIDS by encouraging room sharing and discouraging cobedding, a lot of families with twins and multiples have found it difficult to adhere to these guidelines (1). A previous study documented that a large majority of families with twins that were cobedded during the first 3 months at home used unsafe sleeping practices (room sharing without cobedding).
Parents of twins might not adhere to current SIDS guidelines due to a desire to sleep longer and a lack of space in their home to accommodate multiple cribs. In addition, the socioeconomic status of a family could influence their choices 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 possibly choke on each other. If you choose to put your twins in the same cot, it is important to put them in a head-to-foot position and with their bedding tucked securely into each cot to minimize the possibility of them colliding with each other.
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 a mesh wall to divide twins and give them their own flat, secure mattress to sleep on. It can rotate 360 degrees to bring one of your children closer to you for feedings or to soothe without having to leave the comfortable bed. Its side walls lower and automatically return with each movement. It is also 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 has the same features as the Halo Bassinest.
Comfort
It's a huge change to welcome twins or multiples into the world. They require plenty of thought and preparation not to mention when it comes to where they will be sleeping and how they will get a good night's rest. Parents often ask themselves what they can do to help their children feel more comfortable from an early age.
When twins are young, they can be able to share a cot. This is called co-bedding and can provide excellent comfort for babies as it helps them remember the birthing process. It is important to make sure that the beds are large enough to allow the newborns to feel at ease without having to touch each other or roll around. Also, keep in mind that the baby who is the first to wake up must be fed. It is beneficial to coordinate nighttime feeds to ensure that you awake one baby prior to the other.
It is crucial to remember that twins are distinct and may develop their own sleeping patterns. You might find that one baby is more sleepy than the other or prefers to be near you. In this case it may be beneficial for the twins to have their own bassinet or crib in their room.
When looking for a twin bedside cot, look for models that feature breathable mesh dividers to create separate sleeping spaces. This is essential for babies who are susceptible to heat stroke or for families in which mothers have had a c-section. Other beneficial features include the reversible base, built-in storage space for toys and blankets, and easy-to-maneuver wheels. The Arm's Reach cot, which is specifically designed for mothers who have a c-section is a fantastic choice because it offers a huge sleeping space and is easy to maneuver. Other options are the Graco Pack 'n Play and the Fisher-Price Easy Swivel but they offer less sleeping space than the Arm's Reach cot.
It is not recommended that twins sleep in the same bed with an adult, even if they are very close. This can increase the risk of SIDS and cause strangulation or suffocation. The American Academy of Pediatrics suggests that twins sleep in their own bassinets or cribs in their parents' room for the first six months.