Choosing a Bedside Cot for Twins

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

A double bassinet with the option of dividing can be a great choice for twins. These portable beds let parents keep their babies close for diaper changes and mid-night feedings. They are also great for infants that may outgrow their bassinets before 2 years old.

Space-Saving

If you adhere to safe sleeping guidelines, twins are able to be in a bedside cot used crib side-by-side. They should sleep on their backs with their heads pointing towards each other and their feet on the opposite ends. When they're big enough, they can also sleep together in a Moses Basket or regular crib.

We really love this Delta double bassinet. It has a mesh divider to allow babies to remain separate, yet close to each other. It comes with a handy storage pocket to keep snacks and wipes in the vicinity, too. Additionally, it folds flat, making it easy to move around the house or go on trips.

This EZ Fold Twin Bassinet, available at Walmart can swivel to allow you to bring your twins who are fussy closer to you to feed them and comfort them. The sides can be lowered and raised to make it easier to access them and they are locked to ensure security. It's a little larger and heavier than other options, but it's great for second floors or grandparent homes, and it comes with a travel cot bedside bag. It's also a lot cheaper than the Halo Bassinest Twin.

Convenience

While many parents of twins might be enticed to place their babies in a single crib or bassinet but this is not generally recommended. Instead, the group Rednose suggests that twins are provided with their own private sleeping space (crib or bassinet, or a portable crib) in the room of the parent or caregiver until they turn 12 months old in order to reduce the risk of SIDS. This is referred to as co-bedding. It has been proven that twins who grew in this type of environment develop a more synchronized sleeping pattern.

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 has a personal and comfortable space. This bedside cot is able to easily be moved from room to room as needed, and it provides a convenient way to monitor the baby without having to wake them up by re-entering their sleep zone or disrupting their routines.

Double bassinets are a different option. They permit infants to be side-by-side, and are perfect for diaper changes or feedings in the middle of the night. The Halo Bassinest Twin has a mesh panel that is breathable and adjustable in height that allows each baby to be seen and reachable at all times. The sides of the sleeper also lower and raise for easy access. Walmart's Twin EZ Fold Double Bassinet, which is a cheaper alternative, comes with two sleep zones separated by a mesh panel which allows babies to see each one another. The sleeper can also rotate around 360 degrees, allowing an easy access for infants.

For short-term situations, such as an unexpected family visit or hospitalization Many parents have had success in 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 in a cot, with their feet at the foot of the cot and all bedding securely tucked in, to prevent them from being suffocated.

Safety

When twins sleep together, the most crucial security feature is that each infant has their own space to sleep in. This ensures that each infant isn't smothered, or 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 suggests that twins, tritons and higher-ordered multis have their own sleeping space. This can be achieved with a separate bassinet, or twin bedside crib that you can put on your bed to feed or comfort one of the babies during the night.

Although the American Academy of Pediatrics has recently issued guidelines to lower the SIDS risk by encouraging room sharing and disabling cobedding, many families with twins and multiples find it difficult to follow these guidelines (1). In a previous study, it was found that the majority of twin families who cobedded their children in the first three months of life at home engaged in unsafe sleep practices.

Parents of twins might not adhere to current SIDS guidelines due to the desire to rest longer and the lack of space in their home to accommodate multiple cribs. Additionally the socioeconomic standing of a family may influence their choices regarding sleep arrangements.

If twins are put in a small Moses basket or crib, their bedding may easily entangle them and they may choke on eachother. If you decide to place your twins in the same cot together ensure they are in the position where their feet are next to their heads and that their bedding is tucked into each cot securely. This will lessen the chance of them choking on each other.

One of the safer and more comfortable alternatives for twins to sleep independently is a bedside co sleeper cot bassinet like the Halo Bassinest Twin. The double bassinet has a mesh wall that separates twins, giving them their own secure flat bed. It can be rotated 360 degrees, which means you can bring your child closer to you without having to leave your bed. The side walls automatically lower and then return with each movement. It is also easy to clean and fits into a standard twin-sized bed frame. Check out the Delta Children Twin EZ Fold Double Bassinet at Walmart. It has the same features to the Halo Bassinest.

Comfort

The arrival of twins or multiples into the world is a huge life change. They also require a great deal of preparation and thought in regards to their sleeping arrangements and how they will get a good sleep. While decisions regarding their bedroom space can be taken later in life parents are often unsure of how they can help their children get comfortable in the early stages.

When twins are young, they can be able to share a crib. This is known as co-bedding and can provide great comfort to newborns as it reminds them of the womb. The key is to make sure the beds are large enough to allow the infants to feel comfortable without touching or rolling around. It is important to remember that the baby bedside cot that awakes first must be fed. It is helpful to coordinate feeding times at night so that you can get one up earlier than the other.

It is important to keep in mind that twins have different sleeping routines. It could be that one of them wakes more frequently than the other or prefers to be nearer to you. In this instance it may be beneficial for twins to have their own crib or bassinet in their room.

When shopping for a twin bedside cot, look for models with air-tight mesh dividers that create separate sleeping spaces. This is essential for babies who are at risk of heat stroke or families whose moms have had a c-section. Other helpful features include a reversible base, built-in storage for toys and blankets, and easy-to-use wheels. The Arm's Reach cot, which is specifically designed for mothers with c-sections, is a great choice because it has a large sleeping area and is easy to maneuver. The Graco Pack 'n Play or Fisher-Price's Easy Swaivel are both options, but offer a smaller sleeping space than the Arm's Reach cot.

Even if they're very close, it's not recommended that twins share the bed with an adult. This could increase the risk of SIDS and lead to strangulation or suffocation. The American Academy of Pediatrics suggests that twins should be in their own cribs or bassinets in their parents' room for the first 6 months.