What NOT To Do During The Twin Bedside Cot Industry
Choosing a Bedside Cot for Twins
It is recommended to keep the twins in the infant stage close together however, you must adhere to safety sleep guidelines. Choosing the right crib arrangement will aid your twins in developing a consistent sleep routine.
A double bassinet that has the option of dividing can be the ideal choice for twins. These beds can be used as portable beds to allow parents to keep their children close during middle-of-the-night feeds and diaper changes. They are also great for infants who might outgrow their bassinets before 2.
Space-Saving
Twins can sleep side-by-side in a bedside cot wooden cot provided you adhere to safe sleeping guidelines (that's to say that they should lie on their backs, with the tops of their heads touching each other, and their feet on opposite sides of the cot). They can also share a bed in a Moses basket or a crib when they're old enough.
We love this Delta double bassinet. It has a mesh divider to allow babies to remain separate but close to each the other. It also comes with a storage compartment for snacks and wipes. Plus, it folds flat and makes it easy to move around the house or take on trips.
Another option is this EZ Fold Twin Bassinet from Walmart, which swivels to bring fussy twins closer to you for feeding and comfort. The sides lower and raise for access and lock into place for security. It is a little longer and heavier than other options but is great for the second-floor or homes for grandparents. It also comes with a travel bag. 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 recommends that twins have their own secure sleeping area (crib or portable crib or bassinet) in the room of the caregivers/parents until they reach the age of 12 months old to lower the risk for SIDS. This is referred to as co-bedding. It has been shown that twins who have grown up in this environment develop a more synchronized sleeping patterns.
One of the most convenient ways to achieve this is with a twin bedside cot newborn cot like the Teknum FELLOW 2 which comes with two separate bedding sets so every baby can have an individual and comfortable space. The bedside cot co sleeper cot can easily be moved from room to room as necessary, and also makes it easy to check on the babies without having to wake them up by re-entering their sleeping space or disrupting their routines.
Other options include double bassinets, that have been specifically designed to allow the infants to stay side-by-side and are ideal for nighttime feedings or diaper changes. The Halo Bassinest Twin, for instance, features an air-tight mesh divider and a height that can be adjusted so that every baby is visible and reachable at all times, while the sides of the sleeper lower and raise to make it easy to access. Walmart's Twin EZ Fold Double Bassinet which is a more affordable option, has two sleep zones separated by a mesh panel permitting babies to view each other. The sleeper also rotates around 360 degrees to give an easy access for infants.
Many parents have found that bedding twins in moses baskets, or a small bassinette, can be a good solution for situations that are temporary, such as a hospital stay or a visit to the family. This should only be done under the supervision of a healthcare provider. They will make sure that the babies are properly placed, with their feet at the bottom of the crib and all bedding is tucked in.
Safety
The most important security feature when it comes to twins is that both babies has their own space to sleep. This ensures that each baby isn't smothered, or infected by the other. It also helps prevent the death of a cot, which is more common in single babies than in multiples.
The American Academy of Pediatrics suggests that tritons, twins, and higher-ordered multiples have their own sleeping area. The best way to accomplish this is to have an additional bassinet or twin rocking bedside Crib cot that can be positioned close to your bed while you're feeding or soothing one of the babies during the night.
Although the American Academy of Pediatrics has recently issued recommendations to reduce the risk of SIDS by encouraging room sharing and discouraging cobedding, many families of twins and multiples have found it difficult to adhere to these guidelines (1). In a prior study, it was discovered that the majority of twin families who co-bedded their children in the beginning of their life at home were engaged in dangerous sleeping habits.
Parents of twins might not adhere to the current SIDS risk reduction guidelines due to a desire to increase their own sleep duration and the inability to accommodate multiple cribs at home. Additionally, socioeconomic status can affect family decisions about the arrangement of their sleep.
When twins are placed side-by-side in a small crib or Moses basket, they can easily become entangled by their bedding, and possibly choke on one another. If you decide to put your twins in the same cot, make sure they are placed in the position in which their feet are close to their heads and their bedding is placed in the cots securely. This will decrease the possibility of them colliding on each one.
One of the safest and more practical options for twins to sleep separately is a cheap bedside cot bassinet like the Halo Bassinest Twin. The double bassinet features a mesh wall to divide twins and give them their own flat, safe sleep surface. It can be turned 360 degrees, so 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 can be tucked away into the standard twin-sized bed frame. For a less expensive alternative, consider the Delta Children Twin EZ Fold Double Bassinet, which is available at Walmart and offers similar features to the Halo Bassinest.
Comfort
It's a significant life change to welcome twins or multiples into the world. They require a lot of planning and thought, not least when it comes to the place they will sleep and how they will get a restful night's sleep. Parents often ask themselves what they can do to make their children feel at ease at an early age.
When twins are very young, they are able to share one crib. This is referred to as co-bedding, and can provide excellent comfort for babies as it reminds them of the mother's womb. It is important to make sure the beds are large enough for the babies to feel comfortable without touching or bouncing around. It is also important to remember that the baby who waks first must be fed. It is beneficial to coordinate nighttime feeds to ensure that you get one baby up before the other.
It is important to be aware that twins may have different sleep patterns. You might find that one baby sleeps more than the other or prefers to be close to you. In this instance it may be beneficial for the twins to share their own bassinet or crib in their room.
Find twin foldable bedside crib cots with mesh dividers that are breathable for separate sleeping areas. This is important for babies who are susceptible to heat stroke or families whose moms have had a c-section. Other beneficial features include the reversible base, built-in storage for toys and blankets, and easy-to-use wheels. The Arm's Reach cot is a good option for this purpose because it has an ample sleeping space and is designed with c-section moms in mind. The Graco Pack 'n Play or Fisher-Price's Easy Swaivel are both options, but offer smaller sleeping areas than the Arm's Reach cot.
It is not recommended that twins sleep in the same bed as an adult even if they're close. There is a higher risk of SIDS and can cause suffocation, strangulation or entrapment. The American Academy of Pediatrics suggests that twins be kept in their bassinets or cribs in the parents' bedrooms for the first six months.