Choosing a Bedside Cot for Twins

It is recommended to keep the twins who are just born close to each other, but you should also follow safety sleeping guidelines. The proper crib arrangement will help your twins establish a consistent sleeping routine.

A double bassinet that has the option of dividing it is a great choice for twins. These portable beds allow parents to keep their infants close for feedings in the middle of the night and diaper changes. They are also great for infants who might outgrow their bassinets before 2.

Space-Saving

As long as you follow the safe sleeping guidelines, twins can be in a bedside crib side-by-side. They should be positioned on their backs, with their heads touching and their feet at opposite ends. They can also co-sleep in a Moses basket or a crib once they're large enough.

This Delta double bassinet features a mesh divider that allows babies to be separated but still close. It has a handy storage compartment to keep snacks and wipes close by as well. It is also foldable which makes it easy to move around the house and take on trips.

This EZ Fold Twin Bassinet, available at Walmart, swivels to allow you to bring your twins closer to you to feed them and comfort them. The sides can be raised and lowered for access, and they lock into place for security. It's a bit longer and heavier than the other options however it is ideal for the second floor or homes for grandparents. It also comes with a carry-on bag. It's also a lot less expensive than the Halo Bassinest Twin.

Convenience

Parents of twins might be enticed to put the twins together in one crib or bassinet however, this is not recommended. Rednose suggests that twins have their own secure sleeping space (crib, portable crib, or bassinet) in the room of the parents/caregivers until they reach the age of 12 months old to lower the chance of SIDS. This arrangement is also known as co-bedding. It has been observed that twins who are accustomed to this type of sleeping environment typically have a more synchronized sleep pattern than those who sleep in separate rooms.

One of the easiest ways to achieve this is with twin bedside travel cot cots, like the Teknum FELLOW 2 that comes with two distinct bedding sets to ensure that each baby has an area that is comfortable and private. This bedside crib with changing table cot is also easily moved from one room to another when needed. It provides a convenient and easy way to check on your children without disturbing their sleep patterns or waking them up.

Double bassinets are a different option. They permit infants to sleep side-by-side and they're perfect for diaper changes or feedings in the middle of the night. The Halo Bassinest Twin, for example, has an air-tight mesh partition and an adjustable height to ensure that each child can be seen and reached throughout the night, and the sides of the sleeper can be raised and lowered to give easy access. If you prefer a more affordable alternative, the Walmart-exclusive Twin EZ Fold Double Bassinet is similar, having two sleeping zones separated by mesh panels that allow babies to see one another, and the entire sleeper is able to rotate 360 degrees, giving ease of access for each infant.

Many parents have found that bedding twins together with moses baskets or a small bassinette, is a great option for temporary situations such as a hospital stay or a visit to the family. However this should be done only under the supervision of a healthcare provider to ensure that babies are properly placed and with their feet towards the floor of the cot and their bedding securely tucked in, to avoid them from becoming suffocating.

Safety

When twins sleep together, the most crucial safety feature is that each infant has his or her own sleep space. This will prevent every baby from being smothered, choked or otherwise choking by the other. This also helps avoid deaths in the cot, which are more prevalent in infants with one parent than in multiples.

The American Academy of Pediatrics suggests that tritons, twins, and higher-ordered triplets have their own space to sleep in. This can be accomplished with a separate bassinet, or a twin bedside co sleeper crib you can put on your bed to feed or comfort one of the babies during the night.

While recent SIDS risk reduction guidelines from the American Academy of Pediatrics encourage room sharing with a parent and discourage cobedding, the reality is that many families with twins and higher-order multiples have trouble adhering to 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 their lives at home were engaged in dangerous sleeping habits.

Parents of twins may not adhere to current SIDS risk reduction recommendations because of a desire to prolong their own sleep and a lack of space to accommodate multiple cribs at home. In addition the socioeconomic standing of a family can affect their the arrangement of their sleep.

If twins are positioned side-by-side in a tiny crib or Moses basket, they may easily become entangled by their bedding and could choke on each other. If you decide to sleep your twins together in the same cot it is essential to place them in the position of feet-to-head and have their bedding tucked securely into the cots to reduce the chance of them smothering each one.

One of the safest and more comfortable options for twins to be able to sleep independently is a bassinet that sits beside the bed like the Halo Bassinest Twin. The double bassinet features an enclosed mesh wall that can separate twins and provide them with their own flat, secure sleeping surface. It swivels a full 360 degrees so you can bring your baby closer to you for feedings or to soothe without leaving the comfort of your bed. The side walls lower and auto-return every time you move. It's easy to clean and fits into a standard twin bed frame. Take a look at the Delta Children Twin EZ Fold Double Bassinet at Walmart. It has similar features to the Halo Bassinest.

Comfort

Welcoming twins or multiples to the world is a huge life-changing. Not least, they require a great deal of preparation and thought regarding their sleeping arrangements and how they'll get a good sleep. While decisions regarding their room can be made later in life parents often ask what they can do to help them to settle in the early stages.

It is possible for twins to share a cot when they are very small bedside cot. Co-bedding is a method of helping newborns feel at ease by bringing them back to their mother's womb. It is important to ensure that the beds are large enough to allow the infants to be comfortable without having to touch one other or roll around. Also, keep in mind that the baby who awakes first must be fed. It is beneficial to coordinate night feeds to ensure that you get one baby up before the other.

However, it is important to keep in mind that twins are quite different and could have their own sleep routines. It is possible that one baby sleeps more than the other or prefers to be near you. In this instance it could be beneficial for the twins to have their own crib or bassinet in their room.

Choose a cot with twin beds with breathable mesh dividers for separate sleeping areas. This is especially important for babies who are prone to overheating, or for families with mothers who have had c-sections. Other beneficial features include a reversible base, built-in storage for blankets and toys, as well as easy-to-maneuver wheels. The Arm's Reach cot is a great choice for these purposes since it provides a spacious sleeping area and is designed with c-section moms in mind. Other options are the Graco Pack 'n Play and the Fisher-Price Easy Swivel but they offer smaller sleeping areas than the Arm's Reach cot.

It is not recommended to sleep with twins in the same bed as an adult, even if they are close. This increases the risk of SIDS and may result in suffocation strangulation, or entrapment. The American Academy of Pediatrics suggests that twins be in their own cribs or bassinets in their parents' rooms for the first six months.