Choosing a Bedside Cot for Twins Newborn twins sleep best when close to each other It's vital to adhere to the safe sleep guidelines. Selecting the best crib arrangement can aid in the development of a consistent routine of sleep. A double bassinet with a divider is a great choice for twins. These portable beds let parents keep their infants close for middle-of-the-night feeds and diaper changes. These beds are also great for babies who are likely to outgrow their bassinets when they reach toddlerhood. Space-Saving Twins can share a bed in a bedside cot as long as you follow the safe sleeping guidelines (that's to say that they should be lying on their backs, with the tops of their heads overlapping each other, and their feet on opposite sides of the cot). They can also co-sleep in a Moses basket or a regular crib when they're old enough. We are in love with this Delta double bassinet, which has a mesh divider to keep babies separated but still close to one the other. It has a handy storage pocket to keep snacks and wipes close by and also snacks. It is also foldable which makes it easy to move around the house and take on excursions. This EZ Fold Twin Bassinet, available at Walmart, swivels so that you can bring your twins who are fussy closer to you to feed them and comfort them. The sides lower and raise to make it easier for you to get in, and they secure themselves to ensure your child's safety. It's a bit longer and heavier than the other options but is great for the second-floor or grandparent's homes. It also comes with a carry-on bag. It's also much cheaper than the Halo Bassinest Twin. Convenience It is not recommended that parents of twins place their babies in the same bassinet or crib. Instead the group Rednose recommends that twins be provided with their own private sleeping space (crib or bassinet or portable crib) in the room of the parent or caregiver until they are 12 months old in order to reduce the risk of SIDS. This is known as co-bedding. It has been shown that twins who have grown in this environment have a more synchronized sleeping patterns. A twin bedside cot, such as the Teknum FELLOW 2 is a great way to achieve this. It comes with two separate sets of bedding so that each baby has their own personal space. This bedside cot is able to easily be moved from room to room as needed, and it provides a convenient way to check on the babies without having to wake them by re-entering their sleeping zone or disrupting their sleep patterns. Double bassinets are a different option. They allow infants to be side-by-side, and are ideal for feedings or diaper changes in the middle of the night. The Halo Bassinest Twin, for instance, comes with a breathable mesh divider and a height that can be adjusted so that every baby can be observed and reached at all times, and the sides of the sleeper can be raised and lowered to make it easy to access. If you're looking for an affordable option, the Walmart-exclusive Twin EZ Fold Double Bassinet is similar, with two sleep zones separated by mesh panels that allow babies to see one another and the entire mattress swivels 360 degrees for ease of access for each infant. For short-term situations like an emergency family visit or hospital stay, many parents have found success with co-bedding twins in large moses baskets or a small bassinette with a divider. This should only be done under the supervision by a medical professional. They will make sure that the babies are properly placed in a crib with their feet at the foot of the crib and all bedding tucked into. Safety The most important safety feature for twins is that they have their own sleeping space. This ensures that each infant isn't smothered or trapped by the other. It also helps to prevent the death of a cot, which is more frequent with single infants than multiples. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that triplets, twins and higher-order multiples have their own sleeping space. This can be done by using a separate bassinet, or twin bedside crib that you can bring up to your bed to feed or soothe one of the babies throughout the night. Although 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 with twins and higher-order multiples have difficulty complying with these guidelines (1). A previous study found that a majority of families with twins who were cobedded during the first 3 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 sleep longer and absence of space in the home to accommodate multiple cribs. In addition, the socioeconomic status of a family may influence their decisions about the arrangement of their sleep. If twins are positioned side-by-side in a tiny crib or Moses basket, they can easily get caught in their bedding, and possibly choke on one another. If you decide to sleep your twins together in the same cot, it is essential to place them in the feet-to-head position and have their bedding tucked securely into the cots to reduce their chances of smothering each one. One of the safer and more practical options for twins to sleep independently is a bassinet that sits beside the bed like the Halo Bassinest Twin. The double bassinet comes with a mesh wall to separate twins and provide them with their own flat, secure mattress to sleep on. It can be swiveled 360 degrees, so you can bring your child closer to you without having to leave your bed. The side walls automatically lower and return with each movement. It is also easy to clean and fits in a standard twin-sized bed frame. Check out the Delta Children Twin EZ Fold Double Bassinet at Walmart. It has similar features as the Halo Bassinest. Comfort Being welcomed by twins or multiples to the world is a major life altering. They require a lot of planning and consideration not to mention when it comes to where they will be sleeping and how they will get a restful night's sleep. While decisions regarding their room can be made when they are older parents often ask how they can help them to settle in the early stages. When twins are young, they can be able to share one crib. This is referred to as co-bedding, and can provide excellent comfort for babies as it brings them back to the birthing process. It is important to make sure that the beds are big enough for newborns to feel at ease without touching each the other or move around. It is important to remember that the baby that is the first to wake up should be fed. It is helpful to coordinate feeding times at night in order to awake one baby prior to the other. It is important to keep in mind that twins can have very different sleeping patterns. It is possible that one baby is more sleepy than the other or prefers to be close to you. In this instance it is possible to give each twin their own bassinet or crib. When looking for a twin bedside cot, ensure that it has ventilated mesh dividers that can create distinct sleeping spaces. This is important for babies who are at risk of heat stroke or families whose mothers have had a c-section. A reversible base as well as wheels that are easy to move are also beneficial features. The Arm's Reach cot, designed for c-section mothers, is a great choice because it offers a huge sleeping area and is easy to move. you could try these out are 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 that twins sleep in the same bed with an adult, even if they are very close. This could increase the risk of SIDS and cause suffocation or strangulation. The American Academy of Pediatrics suggests that twins be in their own cribs or bassinets in their parents' rooms for the first 6 months.
