Choosing a
bedside baby sleeper Cot for Twins
It is recommended to keep the newborn twins close together however, you must adhere to the safety guidelines for sleeping. Choosing the right crib arrangement can help your twins develop an established routine for sleep.
A double bassinet that has a divider can be a great choice for twins. These beds can be used to keep their children close during diaper changes and mid-night feedings. They are also great for infants who might outgrow their bassinets prior to 2.
Space-Saving
Twins can share a bed in a bedside cot provided you adhere to the safe sleeping guidelines (that's to say that they should be lying on their backs, with the tops of their heads facing each other and their feet placed at opposite ends of the cot). They can also share a bed in a Moses basket or regular crib once they're big enough.
This Delta double bassinet has a mesh divider that allows babies to be separated but still close. It also has a pocket for storage for wipes and snacks. It can also fold which makes it easy to move around the home and take on trips.
This EZ Fold Twin Bassinet, available at Walmart can swivel to allow you to bring fussy twins nearer to you to feed them and comfort them. The sides are lowered and raised for access and are secured to ensure safety. It is a little longer and heavier than other options, but great for second-floor or homes for grandparents. It also comes with a travel bag. It's also less expensive than the Halo Bassinest Twin.
Convenience
Parents of twins might be enticed to sleep the babies together in one crib or bassinet, this is generally not recommended. Rednose suggests 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 chance of SIDS. This arrangement is known as co-bedding. It has been shown that twins who have grown in this environment develop a more coordinated sleeping pattern.
One of the most convenient methods to accomplish this is to use a twin bedside cot, like the Teknum FELLOW 2 that comes with two separate bedding sets to ensure that each baby has a personal and comfortable space. The
bedside crib vs cot cot can be easily moved from one room to the next when needed. It provides an easy and convenient way to check on your children without disturbing their sleep patterns or waking them up.
Double bassinets are another option. They permit infants to sleep side-by-side and they're perfect for feedings or diaper changes during the middle of the night. The Halo Bassinest Twin has a mesh panel that is breathable and adjustable in height to allow each infant to be easily accessible and visible at all times. The sides of the sleeper also adjust to lower and raise for quick access. Walmart's Twin EZ Fold Double Bassinet which is a more affordable alternative, comes with two sleep zones separated by a mesh panel, allowing babies to see each other. The sleeper also swivels around 360 degrees, allowing an easy access for infants.
For temporary situations like an unexpected family visit or hospital stay, many parents have found success in co-bedding twins in the large moses basket or small bassinette with a divider. This should only be done with the supervision of a healthcare provider. They will make sure that the babies are appropriately placed on their feet at the bottom of the crib, and all bedding put in.
Safety
The most important safety aspect when it comes to twins is that each baby have their own sleeping space. This will prevent each baby from being smothered, choked, or otherwise being choked by the other. It also helps to prevent deaths in cots, which are more frequent with single infants than multiples.
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that twins, triplets and higher-order multiples have their own sleeping space. This can be accomplished by using an individual bassinet or twin
4-in-1 bedside crib crib that you can put on your bed to feed or soothe one of your babies during the night.
While the American Academy of Pediatrics has recently issued guidelines to lower the risk of SIDS by encouraging room sharing and avoiding cobedding, a lot of families with multiples and twins find it difficult to adhere to these guidelines (1). In a previous study it was discovered that the majority of twin families who cobedded their children in the first three months of their lives at home were engaged in dangerous sleep practices.
Parents of twins may not adhere to the current SIDS risk reduction guidelines because of a desire to increase their own sleep duration and a lack of space to accommodate multiple cribs in the home. Furthermore, socioeconomic status may influence family decisions regarding sleeping arrangements.
If twins are positioned together in a crib or Moses basket, they could easily get caught in their bedding and could choke on each other. If you decide to place your twins in the same cot together, make sure they are placed in a position that their feet are right next to their heads and their bedding is placed in each cot securely. This will lessen the chance of them choking on each other.
One of the safer and more comfortable options for twins to sleep independently is a bassinet that sits beside the bed like the Halo Bassinest Twin. The double bassinet has an insulated mesh wall that separates twins so that they each have their own safe flat bed. It can be turned 360 degrees, which means you can bring your child closer to you without having to leave your bed. The walls on the sides automatically lower and then return with each movement. It is easy to clean, and can be tucked away into the standard twin-sized bed frame. For a less expensive alternative, check out the Delta Children Twin EZ Fold Double Bassinet that is available at Walmart and comes with similar features to the Halo Bassinest.
Comfort
Welcoming twins or multiples to the world is an enormous life altering. They require plenty of planning and thought not to mention in regards to where they will sleep and how they will get a restful night's sleep. While decisions about their future bedroom space are made later in life parents often ask how they can help them to settle in the early stages.
It is possible for twins to share a single cot if they are small. This is called co-bedding and can provide excellent comfort for babies as it reminds them of the womb. The key is to ensure that the beds are big enough for babies to be comfortable, without touching each other or rolling around. You should also keep in mind that the baby who wakes up first should be fed. It can be helpful to coordinate nighttime feeds so that you can wake one up before the other.
It is important to be aware that twins have different sleeping routines. You might find that one of them wakes more frequently than the other or prefers to be nearer to you. In this situation it might be best to provide each twin with their own bassinet or crib.
When you are looking for a twin bedside cot (
More suggestions) ensure that it has ventilated mesh dividers that can create distinct sleeping areas. This is important 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 for blankets and toys, and easy-to-maneuver wheels. The Arm's Reach cot is a great option for these needs, as it offers a spacious sleeping area and is designed with c-section moms in mind. Other options are the Graco Pack 'n Play and the Fisher-Price Easy Swivel however, they have a smaller sleeping area than the Arm's Reach cot.
It is not recommended that twins sleep in the same bed with an adult, even if they are close. This could increase the risk of SIDS and cause strangulation or suffocation. Instead, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that twins sleep in their own safe sleeping spaces, such as cribs or bassinets, in their parent's room for the first six months.