Ten Things You Need To Learn About Twin Bedside Cot
Choosing a Bedside Cot for Twins
It is best to keep your twins in the infant stage close together however, you must adhere to safety sleep guidelines. A proper crib arrangement can help your twins establish the same routine of sleeping.
A double bassinet with an divider is a great choice for twins. These portable beds allow parents to keep their babies near for feedings in the middle of the night and diaper changes. They also work well for infants who might outgrow their bassinets prior to 2.
Space-Saving
Twins can sleep side-by-side in a bedside cots for newborns crib, provided you adhere to safe sleeping guidelines (that's to say they should be lying on their backs with the tops of their heads overlapping each other and feet at opposite ends of the cot). They can also co-sleep in a Moses basket or regular crib when they're old enough.
This Delta double bassinet has mesh dividers that allow babies to be separated, but still close. It has a handy storage pocket to keep snacks and wipes in the vicinity as well. It folds flat and makes it easy to move around the house or on trips.
This EZ Fold Twin Bassinet, available at Walmart, swivels to allow you to bring your twins who are fussy closer to you to feed them and soothe them. The sides are lowered and raised for access, and they lock into place for safety. It's a bit bigger and heavier than other options, but great for second floor or grandparent's homes. It also comes with a carry-on bag. It's also less expensive than the Halo Bassinest Twin.
Convenience
Many parents of twins might be enticed to place their babies in a single bassinet or crib but this is not generally recommended. Instead, the group Rednose suggests that twins are given their own safe sleeping space (crib or bassinet, or a portable crib) in the parent/caregiver's room until they reach 12 months old in order to reduce the risk of SIDS. This arrangement is also known as co-bedding, and it has been found that twins who have been accustomed to this type of sleeping environment generally have a more coordinated sleep pattern than twins who sleep separately.
One of the easiest ways to make this work is with twin bedside crib co sleeper cots, like the Teknum FELLOW 2 that comes with two distinct bedding sets so each baby can have an area that is comfortable and private. This bedside crib and travel cot cot is able to easily be moved from room to room when necessary, and also allows you to check on babies without having to wake them by re-entering their sleeping space or disrupting their routines.
Other alternatives include double bassinets which have been designed specifically for infants that allow them to be side-by-side, and are ideal for middle-of-the-night feedings or diaper changes. The Halo Bassinest Twin, for instance, features a breathable mesh divider 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 option, the Walmart-exclusive Twin EZ Fold Double Bassinet is similar, with two sleep zones separated by mesh panels that allow babies to see each other, and the entire sleeper can rotate 360 degrees to give ease of access for each infant.
Many parents have realized that bedding twins together with moses baskets, or a smaller bassinette, can be a good solution for situations that are temporary, like hospital stays or a visit to the family. This should only be done under the supervision of a healthcare provider. They will make sure that the infants are correctly placed on their feet placed at the foot of the crib and all bedding is tucked in.
Safety
When twins sleep together, the most crucial security factor is that each baby has their own space to sleep in. This ensures that each baby is not smothered or otherwise infected by the other. It also helps prevent cot death, which is more frequent in infants who are single than in multiples.
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that triplets, twins, and higher-order multiples have their own sleep space. This can be achieved by using an additional bassinet, or a twin bedside travel crib crib you can place on your bed to feed or sooth one of the babies throughout the night.
Although the American Academy of Pediatrics has recently issued recommendations to decrease the risk of SIDS by encouraging room sharing and discouraging cobedding, many families of multiples and twins find it difficult to adhere to these guidelines (1). A previous study documented that a majority of families with twins that were cobedded during the first 3 months at home opted for unsafe sleeping practices (room sharing without cobedding).
Parents of twins might not adhere to current SIDS guidelines due to the desire to rest longer and the absence of space in the home to accommodate multiple cribs. Furthermore, socioeconomic status may affect the family's decisions regarding sleep arrangements.
When twins are placed side-by-side in a tiny crib or Moses basket, they may easily be entangled by their bedding, and possibly choke on one another. If you decide to put your twins in the same cot, make sure they are in an area where their feet are next to their heads, and that their bedding is tucked into each cot with a secure. This will decrease the chances of them choking on each other.
One of the safer and more comfortable alternatives for twins to sleep independently is a bedside bassinet like the Halo Bassinest Twin. This double bassinet has mesh walls to separate twins and provide them with their own safe, flat sleep surface. It swivels a full 360 degrees so you can bring one of your babies closer to you for feedings or to soothe without having to leave the peace of your bed. The side walls lower and auto-return with each movement. It's also easy to clean and fits in a standard twin bed frame. For a less expensive alternative, look into the Delta Children Twin EZ Fold Double Bassinet available at Walmart. available at Walmart and comes with similar features to the Halo Bassinest.
Comfort
It's a significant life change to welcome twins or multiples into the world. They require plenty of thought and preparation especially when it comes to the place they will be sleeping and how they will get a good night's sleep. While decisions regarding their bedroom space are made when they are older, parents often wonder how they can help them to feel comfortable in the beginning stages.
It is possible for twins to share a single crib when they are small. This is known as co-bedding and it can be a great comfort to newborns as it brings them back to the womb. It is crucial to ensure that the beds are large enough to allow the babies to feel comfortable without having to touch one the other or move around. You should also be aware that the baby who awakes first should be fed. It is helpful to coordinate night feeds to ensure that you wake up one baby before the other.
It is crucial to keep in mind that twins are very different and they might have their own sleep patterns. You may find that one child sleeps better than the other or prefers to be close to you. In this situation, it might be best for the twins to share their own bassinet or crib in their room.
When looking for a twin bedside cot look for models with ventilated mesh dividers that can create separate sleeping spaces. This is crucial for infants who are at risk of heat stroke or for families in which mothers have had a c-section. Other beneficial features include a reversible base, built-in storage space for blankets and toys, and easy-to-use wheels. The Arm's Reach cot, specifically designed for mothers who have a c-section is a fantastic choice due to its large sleeping space and is easy to move. The Graco Pack 'n Play or Fisher-Price's Easy Swaivel are both options, but have a smaller sleeping space 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 very close. This can increase the risk of SIDS and result in suffocation or strangulation. The American Academy of Pediatrics suggests that twins be in their own cribs or bassinets in their parents' bedrooms for the first 6 months.