The No. 1 Question Everyone Working In Twin Bedside Cot Should Know How To Answer
Choosing a Bedside Cot for Twins
It is best to keep your twins who are just born close to each other However, you must adhere to safety sleep guidelines. Selecting the best crib arrangement will help your twins develop a consistent routine of sleep.
A double bassinet that has a divider can be a great choice for twins. These portable beds allow parents to keep their children close during diaper changes as well as mid-night meals. They also work well for infants that may outgrow their bassinets prior to 2.
Space-Saving
Twins can share a bed in a bedside cot as long as you follow safe sleeping guidelines (that's to say they should be lying on their backs with the tops of their heads facing each other and their feet placed at opposite sides of the cot). Once they are big enough, they may also share a bed in a Moses Basket or regular crib.
We love this Delta double bassinet, which has a mesh divider to allow babies to remain separated but still close to one the other. It also comes with a storage compartment for wipes and snacks. It folds flat making it easy to move around the house or go on trips.
Another option is this EZ Fold Twin Bassinet from Walmart, which swivels to bring your twins' fluttery little ones closer to you for feedings and soothing. The sides can be lowered and raised for easy access, and are locked in place for safety. It's a bit longer and heavier than other models, but great for second floor or grandparent's homes. bedside rocking crib comes with a travel bag. It's also a lot less expensive than the Halo Bassinest Twin.
Convenience
Many parents of twins may be tempted to place their babies in a single bassinet or crib but this is not generally recommended. Rednose suggests that twins have their own secure sleeping area (crib, portable crib, or bassinet) in the room of the parents or caregivers until they reach the age of 12 months old to lower the risk for SIDS. This arrangement is also referred to as co-bedding, and it has been observed that twins who are accustomed to this sleeping environment will generally have a more coordinated sleeping pattern than twins who sleep in separate rooms.
A twin bedside cot such as the Teknum FELLOW 2 is a great option to accomplish this. It includes two sets of bedding so that each baby gets their own personal space. The bedside cot can easily be moved from room to room when necessary, and also makes it easy to check on the babies without needing to wake them by re-entering their sleep zone or disrupting their rhythms.
Other options include double bassinets, specially designed for infants that allow them to remain side-by-side and are perfect for mid-night feeding or changing diapers. The Halo Bassinest Twin has a breathable mesh panel and adjustable height to allow each infant to be seen and reachable at all times. The sides of the sleeper also adjust to lower and raise for quick access. If you prefer a more affordable option, the Walmart-exclusive Twin EZ Fold Double Bassinet is similar, having two sleeping zones separated by mesh panels that allow babies to view each other and the entire bed is able to rotate 360 degrees, giving an easy access to every infant.
For temporary situations, such as an unexpected family visit or hospital stay Many parents have had success with co-bedding twins in large moses baskets or a small bassinette with a divider. However, this should be done only under the supervision of a healthcare provider to ensure that the babies are placed properly and with their feet towards the bottom of the cot and all bedding securely tucked in, to avoid them from becoming suffocating.
Safety
When twins are sleeping together, the most crucial safety feature is that each baby has their individual space to sleep. This ensures that each baby isn't smothered, or trapped 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 multiplications have their own sleep space. This can be achieved with a separate bassinet, or a twin bedside crib you can bring up to your bed to feed or soothe one of the babies during the night.
While the American Academy of Pediatrics has recently issued guidelines to lower the SIDS risk by encouraging room sharing and avoiding cobedding, many families of twins and multiples find it difficult to adhere to these guidelines (1). A previous study found that a majority of families of twins who were cobedded during the first three months at home opted for unsafe sleep practices (room sharing without cobedding).
Parents of twins might not adhere to current SIDS guidelines due to the desire to sleep longer and the absence of space in the home to accommodate multiple cribs. In addition, socioeconomic status could affect family decisions about sleeping arrangements.
If twins are positioned side-by-side in a small crib or Moses basket, they can easily be entangled by their bedding and could choke on each other. If you decide to put your twins in the same cot together ensure that they are in an area that their feet are right next to their heads, and that their bedding is tucked into the cots securely. This will decrease the chances of them choking on each other.
A bassinet that is positioned at the bedside, like the Halo Bassinest Twin, is one of the most secure and most convenient options for twins that want to sleep separately. The double bassinet features mesh walls to separate twins and provide them with their own safe, flat sleeping surface. It can be turned 360 degrees, which means you can bring your baby closer to you without leaving your bed. The side walls automatically lower and return with each movement. It is also easy to clean and fits in the standard twin-sized bed frame. If you're looking for a less expensive alternative, consider the Delta Children Twin EZ Fold Double Bassinet that is available at Walmart and has similar features as the Halo Bassinest.
Comfort
The arrival of twins or multiples into the world is a major life change. They also require a lot of preparation and thought regarding their sleeping arrangements and how they can get a good sleep. Parents often wonder what they can do to help their children feel comfortable at an early age.
When twins are still young, they are able to share one crib. This is known as co-bedding and can provide great comfort to newborns as it helps them remember the mother's womb. It is important to ensure that the beds are big enough for newborns to feel at ease without having to touch each the other or move around. You should also remember that the baby that is the first to wake up should be fed. It is helpful to coordinate nighttime feeds to ensure that you wake one up earlier than the other.
However, it is important to remember that twins are very different and they might develop their own sleep routines. You may find that one child wakes more frequently than the other or they prefer to be closer to you. In this case it may be beneficial for the twins to share their own bassinet or crib in their room.
When shopping for a twin bedside cot, ensure that it has ventilated mesh dividers that can create distinct sleeping zones. This is particularly important for babies who are more prone to overheating or families with c-section moms. Reversible bases and wheels that are easy to move are also useful features. The Arm's Reach cot, which is designed for c-section mothers, is a great choice due to its large sleeping area and is easy to maneuver. The Graco Pack 'n Play or Fisher-Price Easy Swaivel are other alternatives, but they have smaller sleeping spaces than the Arm's Reach cot.
It is not recommended that twins sleep in the same bed with an adult even if they're close. There is a higher risk of SIDS, and may result in suffocation strangulation or entrapment. Instead it is recommended that the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that twins have their own secure sleeping areas, such as bassinets or cribs in their parents' rooms for the first six months.