Choosing a Bedside Cot for Twins

Twins who are just born sleep best close to one another However, it's crucial to follow safe sleeping recommendations. Choosing the right crib arrangement will help your twins develop an established routine for sleep.

A double bassinet with the option of dividing it is a great option for twins. These beds can be used to keep their infants close for diaper changes and mid-night feedings. They are also great for babies who may outgrow their bassinets before baby 2.

Space-Saving

As long as you follow safe sleeping guidelines, twins are able to sleep in a crib that is bedside baby sleeper side-by-side. They should be placed on their backs with their heads pointing towards each other and their feet on the opposite ends. Once they are big enough, they can share a bed in a Moses Basket or regular crib.

We love this Delta double bassinet, which includes a mesh divider, to allow babies to remain separated but still close to one the other. It comes with a handy storage compartment that can keep snacks and wipes close by, too. Plus, it folds flat making it easy to move around the house or on trips.

This EZ Fold Twin Bassinet, available at Walmart is swivelling so that you can bring fussy twins nearer to you to feed them and comfort them. The sides can be raised and lowered for easy access, and are locked to ensure security. It's a bit heavier and longer than some other options, but it's great for grandparents' or second-floor homes and comes with a travel bag. It's also much cheaper than the Halo Bassinest Twin.

Convenience

While many parents of twins may be tempted to sleep the babies together in a single bassinet or crib however, this is not recommended. Instead the group Rednose suggests that twins are provided with their own private sleeping space (crib, bassinet or portable crib) in the room of the parent or caregiver until they reach 12 months old to help reduce the risk of SIDS. This arrangement is also referred to as co-bedding. It has been proven that twins who have been accustomed to this type of sleeping environment often form a more synchronized sleep pattern than those who sleep separately.

One of the most convenient ways to make this work 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 an area that is comfortable and private. This bedside travel crib cot is able to easily be moved from room to another as necessary, and also provides a convenient way to check on the babies without having to wake them up by re-entering their sleeping space or disrupting their routines.

Double bassinets are an alternative. They permit infants to be side-by-side, and are ideal for feedings and diaper changes during the middle of the night. The Halo Bassinest Twin, for instance, features a breathable mesh divider and an adjustable height to ensure that each child can be observed and reached at all times, and the sides of the sleeper lower and raise to allow easy access. If you prefer a more affordable option, the Walmart-exclusive Twin EZ Fold Double Bassinet is similar, having two sleep zones separated by mesh panels that allow babies to see each other and the entire bed can rotate 360 degrees to give an easy access to every infant.

Many parents have found that co-bedding twins with moses baskets, or a smaller bassinette, can be a good solution for temporary situations such as a hospital stay or a family visit. However, this should be done only under the supervision of a medical professional to ensure that babies are placed properly and with their feet towards the floor of the cot, and all bedding properly tucked in to avoid them from becoming suffocating.

Safety

When twins sleep together, the most crucial security feature is that each baby has his or her own space to sleep in. This helps prevent the baby from being smothered, choked, or otherwise choking by the other. It also helps to prevent cot death, which is more prevalent in infants with one parent than in multiples.

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that triplets, twins, and higher-order multiples get their own space to sleep in. This can be accomplished with an individual bassinet or a twin bedside crib you can bring up to your bed to feed or soothe one of your babies during the night.

Although recent SIDS risk reduction recommendations from the American Academy of Pediatrics encourage room sharing with a parent and avoid cobedding, the reality is that many families of twins and other higher-order multiples have trouble adhering to these guidelines (1). In a prior study, it was found that the majority of twin families who co-bedded their children in the first three months of life at home were engaged in dangerous sleeping habits.

Parents of twins may not adhere to current SIDS risk reduction recommendations due to a desire increase their own sleep duration and the inability to accommodate multiple cribs at home. Furthermore, socioeconomic status may influence family decisions regarding sleep arrangements.

If twins are put in a small Moses basket or crib, their bedding could easily be pulled together and they may choke on each other. If you choose to sleep your twins together in the same cot it is essential to place them in the position of feet-to-head and their bedding tucked securely into each cot to minimize the chance of them smothering each other.

One of the safest and more convenient options for twins to be able to sleep separately is a bedside bassinet like the Halo Bassinest Twin. This double bassinet features a mesh wall that separates twins so that they each have their own secure flat bed. It swivels a full 360 degrees, allowing you to bring one of your babies closer to you for feedings or calming while still in the comfort of your bed, and its side walls lower and automatically return every time you move. It's also easy to clean and fits into the standard twin bed frame. Check out the Delta Children Twin EZ Fold Double Bassinet at Walmart. It has similar features to the Halo Bassinest.

Comfort

The arrival of twins or multiples into the world is an enormous life altering. They require lots of planning and consideration, not least in regards to where they will sleep and how they will get a restful night's sleep. While the decisions regarding their future bedroom space are made as they age, parents often wonder how they can help them to feel comfortable in the beginning stages.

It is possible for twins to share a single crib when they are small. Co-bedding is a method for comforting newborns by reminding them of their womb. The key is to make sure the beds are large enough for the babies to be comfortable without touching or rolling around. Also, keep in mind that the baby bedside co sleeper who is the first to wake up must be fed. It is beneficial to coordinate nighttime feeds so that you can awake one baby prior to the other.

However, it is important to keep in mind that twins can be very different and they might develop their own sleeping routines. You may find that one baby sleeps more than the other or is more comfortable being close to you. In this case, it might be best for the twins to share their own crib or bassinet in their room.

When looking for a twin bedside cot, ensure that it has breathable mesh dividers to create separate sleeping spaces. This is particularly important for babies who are prone to overheating, or for families with c-section moms. Other beneficial features include an adjustable base, built-in storage space for blankets and toys, as well as easy-to-use wheels. The Arm's Reach cot is a good option for this purpose because it has a large sleeping area and is designed with c-section moms in mind. The Graco Pack 'n Play or Fisher-Price Easy Swaivel are other alternatives, but they have smaller sleeping spaces than the Arm's Reach cot.

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