Choosing a Bedside Cot for Twins

Twins in the newborn stage sleep best close to one another, but it's important to follow safe sleeping recommendations. Selecting the best crib arrangement can aid in the development of an established routine for sleep.

A double bassinet that has an divider is the ideal choice for twins. These portable beds let parents keep their babies near for feedings in the middle of the night and diaper changes. They also work well for infants that may outgrow their bassinets prior to 2 years old.

Space-Saving

Twins can sleep together in a bedside crib travel cot cot 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 sides of the cot). Once they are big enough, they may 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 the other. It also has a convenient storage compartment that can keep wipes and snacks nearby as well. It can also fold which makes it easy to move around the house or take on trips.

This EZ Fold Twin Bassinet, available at Walmart can swivel to allow you to bring your twins closer to you to feed them and soothe them. The sides can be raised and lowered to allow access, and they secure themselves to ensure your child's safety. It's a bit longer and heavier than the other options, but great for second floor or grandparents' homes. It also comes with a travel bag. It's also a lot cheaper than the Halo Bassinest Twin.

Convenience

Many parents of twins might be enticed to sleep the babies together in a single crib or bassinet however, this is not recommended. Instead the group Rednose suggests that twins are provided with their own private sleeping space (crib or bassinet or portable crib) in the parents' or caregiver's room until they reach 12 months old to help reduce the chance of SIDS. This arrangement is known as co-bedding. It has been demonstrated that twins who have grown in this type of environment develop a more synchronized sleeping pattern.

One of the most convenient ways to achieve this is by using twin bedside cots, like the Teknum FELLOW 2 which comes with two separate bedding sets to ensure that every baby can have a personal and comfortable space. The bedside cot can be easily moved from one room to another depending on the need. It offers an easy and convenient method to check on your babies without disturbing their sleep patterns or wake them up.

Other options include double bassinets, specially designed to allow the infants to stay side-by-side and are perfect for mid-night feeds or diaper changes. The Halo Bassinest Twin, for instance, features a breathable mesh divider and adjustable height so that every baby can be seen and reached at all times, and the sides of the sleeper can be raised and lowered to give easy access. Walmart's Twin EZ Fold Double Bassinet, which is a cheaper option, has two sleep zones that are separated by a mesh panel, allowing babies to see each other. The sleeper also rotates around 360 degrees to give an easy access for infants.

For short-term situations, such as a family visit or hospitalization, many parents have found success in co-bedding twins in the large moses basket or small bassinette with divider. This should only be done under the supervision by a healthcare professional. They will ensure that the babies are properly placed on their feet at the bottom of the crib and all bedding tucked into.

Safety

The most important safety aspect for twins is that both babies have their own sleeping space. This ensures that every 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 recommends that triplets, twins and higher-order multiples get their own sleeping space. The best way to do this is by having a separate bassinet or twin bedside cots that could be brought up close to your bed while you feed or soothe one of the babies during the night.

Although recent SIDS risk reduction guidelines from the American Academy of Pediatrics encourage room sharing with parents and avoid cobedding but the reality is that many families with twins and higher-order multiples have difficulty complying with these guidelines (1). A previous study documented that the majority of families of twins who were cobedded during the first three months at home used unsafe sleep practices (room sharing without cobedding).

Parents of twins may not follow the current SIDS guidelines due to the desire to sleep longer and a lack of space at home to accommodate multiple cribs. Additionally the socioeconomic status of a family may influence their decisions about the arrangement of their sleep.

If twins are placed in a small bedside cot Moses basket or crib, their bedding may easily entangle them and they could choke on each other. If you're planning to sleep your twins together in the same cot, it is important to put them in a head-to-foot position and with their bedding securely tucked into each cot to limit the chance of them smothering each one.

One of the safest and more comfortable alternatives for twins to sleep independently is a bedside bassinet like the Halo Bassinest Twin. This double bassinet comes with an insulated mesh wall that separates twins, giving them their own safe flat bed. It can rotate 360 degrees, allowing you to bring one of your babies closer to you for feedings or soothing without having to leave the peace of your bed. The side walls lower and automatically return with each movement. It's also easy to clean and can be tucked away in the standard twin 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 offers similar features as the Halo Bassinest.

Comfort

It is a major 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 sleep and how they will get a good night's rest. Parents often ask themselves what they can do to help their children feel at ease at an early age.

When twins are very young, they can be able to share one cot. Co-bedding is a method of helping newborns feel at ease by reminding them of their mother's womb. It is crucial to make sure that the beds are big enough for infants to be comfortable without having to touch each other or roll around. Also, be aware that the baby bedside crib who is the first to wake up should be fed. It is helpful to coordinate feeding times at night in order to wake up one baby before the other.

It is important to keep in mind that twins can have very different sleep routines. It is possible that one baby is more sleepy than the other or is more comfortable being close to you. In this instance it is possible to provide each twin with their own bassinet or crib.

Find twin bedside cot crib cots that have breathable mesh dividers for sleeping areas that are separate. This is crucial for infants that are prone to heat stroke or for families where moms have had a c-section. Other helpful features include a reversible base, built-in storage for blankets and toys, as well as easy-to-use wheels. The Arm's Reach cot is a good option for these needs because it has an ample sleeping space and is designed with moms who have c-sections in mind. The Graco Pack 'n Play or Fisher-Price Easy Swaivel are also alternatives, but they 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 are very close. This increases the risk of SIDS, and could lead to suffocation, strangulation, or entrapment. Instead the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that twins sleep in their own safe sleeping areas, such as bassinets or cribs, in their parents' rooms for the first six months.