Choosing a Bedside Cot for Twins

Newborn twins sleep best when close to one another, but it's important to adhere to the safe sleep guidelines. The right crib arrangement will aid your twins in developing a consistent sleep routine.

A double bassinet that comes with a divider can be a great choice for twins. These beds can be used to keep their babies close for diaper changes and feedings at night. These beds are also great for babies who may outgrow their bassinets for baby by the time they reach toddlerhood.

Space-Saving

Twins can sleep side-by-side in a bedside crib, so long as you follow the safe guidelines for sleeping (that's to say they should be laid on their backs with the tops of their heads facing each other and feet at opposite sides of the cot). When they're big enough, they can also sleep together in a Moses Basket or a regular crib.

This Delta double bassinet comes with a mesh divider that allows babies to be separated, but still close. It also has a storage pocket for snacks and wipes. Plus, it folds flat making it easy to move around the house or take on trips.

Another alternative is the EZ Fold Twin Bassinet from Walmart, which swivels to bring your twins' fluttery little ones closer to you for feeding and comfort. The sides can be raised or lowered for easy access, and are locked to ensure safety. It's a bit longer and heavier than the other options but is great for the second floor or grandparents' homes. It also comes with a bag for travel cot bedside crib. It's also less expensive than the Halo Bassinest Twin.

Convenience

It is not recommended that parents of twins place their babies in the same crib or bassinet. Rednose suggests that twins have their own secure sleeping space (crib or portable crib or bassinet) in the room of the parents/caregivers until they reach 12 months to lower the chance of SIDS. This arrangement is also referred to as co-bedding and it has been found that twins who are used to this sleeping environment will typically have a more synchronized sleep pattern than those who sleep in separate rooms.

One of the most efficient methods to accomplish this is to use a twin bedside cot, like the Teknum FELLOW 2, that comes with two separate bedding sets, so that each baby can have a personal and comfortable space. This 4-in-1 bedside crib travel cot bedside crib is also easily moved from one room to another depending on the need. It provides an easy and convenient way to monitor your baby without disrupting their sleep or awakening them.

Other options include double bassinets, which have been designed specifically to allow infants to remain side-by-side and are ideal for nighttime feeds or diaper changes. The Halo Bassinest Twin has a breathable mesh panel and adjustable height that allows 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 less expensive alternative, has two sleeping zones that are separated by a mesh panel, which allows babies to see each one another. The sleeper also rotates around 360 degrees, allowing easy access to infants.

For situations that are temporary like an unexpected family visit or hospitalization Many parents have had the benefits of co-bedding twins using large moses baskets or a small bassinette with a divider. This should only be done under the supervision a healthcare provider. They will make sure that the infants are correctly placed in a crib with their feet at the foot of the crib and all bedding is tucked into.

Safety

When twins are sleeping together, the most crucial security feature is that each baby has his or her own sleep space. This will prevent the baby from being smothered, choked, or otherwise being choked by the other. This also helps to avoid the death of a cot, which is more common with single babies than multiples.

The American Academy of Pediatrics suggests that twins, tritons and higher-ordered multiples have their own sleeping area. This can be accomplished with an individual bassinet or a twin bedside crib you can put on your bed to feed or comfort one of the babies throughout the night.

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

Parents of twins may not follow the current SIDS risk reduction guidelines due to a desire increase their own sleep duration and the inability to accommodate multiple cribs in the home. In addition, socioeconomic status could affect the family's decisions regarding the arrangement of their sleep.

If twins are placed in a small Moses basket or crib, their bedding may easily get caught in their midst and they could choke eachother. If you choose to sleep your twins in the same cot, it's important to place them in the position of feet-to-head and their bedding tucked securely into the cots to reduce the chance of them smothering each other.

A bassinet for bed, such as the Halo Bassinest Twin, is one of the safer and easier options for twins that want to sleep in a separate bed. The double bassinet comes with a mesh wall to separate twins and give them their own flat, secure sleep surface. It can be swiveled 360 degrees, meaning you can bring your baby closer to you without leaving your bed. The walls on the sides automatically lower and return with every movement. It's easy to clean and fits into the standard twin bed frame. If you're looking for a cheaper alternative, look into the Delta Children Twin EZ Fold Double Bassinet that is available at Walmart and comes with similar features as 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, not least in regards to where they will sleep and how they'll get a good night's rest. Parents often ask themselves what they can do to make their children feel at ease from an early age.

It is possible for twins to share a cot if they are small. Co-bedding is a method of comforting newborns by reminding them of their womb. The key is to make sure the beds are big enough for babies to be comfortable, without touching or rolling around. It is also important to remember that the baby who awakes first needs to be fed. It is helpful to co-ordinate night feeds so that you can get one up earlier than the other.

It is important to keep in mind that twins have different sleep patterns. You might find that one of them wakes more than the other, or prefers to be nearer to you. In this situation it might be best to give each twin a separate crib or bassinet.

Choose a cot with twin beds with mesh dividers that are breathable for separate sleeping areas. This is particularly important for babies who are susceptible to overheating, or for families with c-section moms. A reversible base and wheels that are easy to move are also useful features. The Arm's Reach cot is a great option for this purpose, as it offers a spacious sleeping area and is designed with moms who have c-sections in mind. The Graco Pack 'n Play or Fisher-Price's Easy Swaivel are both options, but have smaller sleeping spaces than the Arm's Reach cot.

It is not recommended to sleep with twins in the same bed with an adult, even if they are close. This increases the risk of SIDS, and could lead to suffocation, strangulation or entrapment. Instead it is recommended that the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that twins sleep in their own safe sleeping areas, like bassinets or cribs in their parent's room for the first six months.