Choosing a Bedside Cot for Twins

Twins who are just born sleep best close to one another, but it's important to adhere to the safe sleep guidelines. Selecting the best crib arrangement can aid your twins in developing a consistent sleep routine.

A double bassinet with the option of dividing it is a great option for twins. These portable beds allow parents to keep their babies near for mid-night feedings and diaper changes. They are also great for infants who might outgrow their bassinets before 2.

Space-Saving

As long as you follow safe guidelines for sleeping, twins can sleep in a bedside crib side-by-side. They should be placed on their backs with their heads pointing towards each other and their feet on the opposite ends. They can also co-sleep in a Moses basket or a regular crib once they're big enough.

This Delta double bassinet has mesh dividers that allow babies to be separated, but still close. It comes with a handy storage compartment to keep snacks and wipes in the vicinity as well. It folds flat making it easy to move around the house or on trips.

This EZ Fold Twin Bassinet, available at Walmart can swivel so that you can bring your twins who are fussy closer to you to feed them and soothe them. The sides can be lowered and raised for easy access, and are locked to ensure safety. It's a bit heavier and longer than some other options, but it's perfect for second floors or grandparents homes, and it 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 put the twins together in a single crib or bassinet, this is generally not recommended. Instead, the group Rednose suggests that twins be given their own safe sleeping space (crib or bassinet or portable crib) in the parents' or caregiver's room until they are 12 months old to help reduce the risk of SIDS. This arrangement is also known as co-bedding, and it has been proven that twins who are used to this type of sleeping environment often form a more synchronized sleep pattern than twins who sleep on their own.

One of the most efficient ways to make this work is with a twin bedside cot like the Teknum FELLOW 2 which comes with two separate bedding sets, so that each baby can have an area that is comfortable and private. This foldable bedside crib cot is able to easily be moved from room to room as required, and makes it easy to check on the babies without having to wake them up by re-entering their sleeping space or disrupting their sleep patterns.

Double bassinets are another option. They permit infants to be side-by-side, and are ideal for feedings and diaper changes in the middle of the night. The Halo Bassinest Twin, for instance, features a breathable mesh divider and an adjustable height to ensure that each child can be seen and reached throughout the night, and the sides of the sleeper can be raised and lowered to allow easy access. Walmart's Twin EZ Fold Double Bassinet which is a less expensive alternative, Bedside Cot For Twins comes with two sleep zones that are separated by a mesh panel, permitting babies to view each one another. The sleeper can also rotate around 360 degrees to give an easy access for infants.

For temporary situations, such as a family visit or hospital stay, many parents have found the benefits of co-bedding twins using a large moses basket or small bassinette with a divider. However, this should be done only under the supervision of a medical professional to ensure that babies are properly positioned in a cot, with their feet at the foot of the cot and their bedding securely tucked in, to avoid them from becoming suffocating.

Safety

When twins are sleeping together, the most important security factor is that each infant has his or her own space to sleep in. This ensures that every infant isn't smothered or trapped by the other. This also helps avoid the death of a cot, which is more prevalent in infants with one parent than in multiples.

The American Academy of Pediatrics suggests that twins, tritons and higher-ordered multis have their own sleeping space. The best way to accomplish this is to have an additional bassinet or twin bedside crib to cot cot that can be positioned close to your bed while you're feeding or soothing one of your babies throughout the night.

Although recent SIDS risk reduction guidelines from the American Academy of Pediatrics encourage room sharing with parents and discourage cobedding, the reality is that a lot of families of twins and other higher-order multiples have trouble adhering to these guidelines (1). A previous study documented that a majority of families of twins that were cobedded during the first three months at home, used unsafe sleeping practices (room sharing without cobedding).

Parents of twins may not follow current SIDS recommendations due to the desire to rest longer and the absence of space in the home to accommodate multiple cribs. Additionally, socioeconomic status can influence family decisions regarding the arrangement of their sleep.

If twins are placed side-by-side in a small crib or Moses basket, they may easily get caught in their bedding and potentially choke on one another. If you decide to sleep your twins together in the same cot, it's important to place them in the position of feet-to-head and their bedding securely tucked into the cots to reduce the possibility of them colliding with each one.

A bassinet that is positioned at the bedside, like the Halo Bassinest Twin, is one of the safer and easier options for twins who want to be able to sleep independently. This double bassinet has an enclosed mesh wall that can separate twins and give them their own flat, secure sleep surface. It can be rotated 360 degrees, which means you can bring your baby closer to you without leaving your bed. The side walls automatically lower and then return with each movement. It is easy to clean, and can be tucked away into a standard twin-sized bed frame. If you're looking for a cheaper alternative, look into the Delta Children Twin EZ Fold Double Bassinet available at Walmart. available at Walmart and has similar features to the Halo Bassinest.

Comfort

The arrival of twins or multiples into the world is an enormous life change. They also require a great deal of preparation and thought regarding their sleeping arrangements and how they can get a good sleep. While decisions about their future bedroom space are made when they are older, parents often wonder how they can help them to feel comfortable in the beginning stages.

When twins are young, they can be able to share one cot. This is known as co-bedding and it can be a great comfort to newborns as it helps them remember the mother's womb. The most important thing is to make sure the beds are big enough for the 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 is helpful to coordinate nighttime feeds to ensure that you wake one up earlier than the other.

It is crucial to keep in mind that twins can be quite different and could develop their own sleeping routines. You might find that one baby bedside co sleeper is more sleepy than the other or prefers to be near you. In this situation it might be best to give each twin their own crib or bassinet.

When you are 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 prone to overheating, or families with mothers who have had c-sections. A reversible base as well as wheels that are easy to maneuver are also helpful features. The Arm's Reach cot is a good option for these needs since it provides a spacious sleeping area and is designed with moms who have c-sections in mind. Other options include the Graco Pack 'n Play and the Fisher-Price Easy Swaivel however, they have smaller sleeping areas 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. It is an increased risk of SIDS and may result in suffocation strangulation, or entrapment. Instead the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that twins have their own secure sleeping spaces, such as bassinets or cribs in their parents' room for the first six months.