Choosing a Bedside Cot for Twins

Twins in the newborn stage sleep best close to each other, but it’s important to follow safe sleeping recommendations. A proper crib arrangement can help your twins establish the same routine of sleeping.

A double bassinet that comes with a divider can be the ideal choice for twins. These beds can be used as portable beds to let parents keep their children close during middle-of-the-night feeds and diaper changes. They also work well for infants who might outgrow their bassinets before baby 2.

Space-Saving

As long as you adhere to safe sleeping guidelines, twins are able to sleep in a crib that is bedside side-by-side. They should sleep on their backs with their heads pointing towards each other and their feet at the opposite ends. They can also co-sleep in a Moses basket or a regular crib once they’re big enough.

This Delta double bassinet features mesh dividers that allow babies to be separated but still close. It comes with a handy storage compartment that can keep snacks and wipes in the vicinity, too. Additionally, it folds flat making it easy to move around the house or go on trips.

Another option is the EZ Fold Twin Bassinet from Walmart, which swivels to bring the twins who are fussy closer to you for feedings and soothing. The sides can be lowered and raised for easy access, and are secured for safety. It’s a bit bigger and heavier than other models, but great for second floor or grandparents’ homes. It also comes with a travel bag. It’s also much less expensive than the Halo Bassinest Twin.

Convenience

Many parents of twins may be tempted to put the twins together in a single crib or bassinet but this is not generally recommended. Instead the Rednose group Rednose recommends that twins be given their own safe sleeping space (crib or bassinet, or a portable crib) in the parents’ or caregiver’s room until they reach 12 months old to reduce the risk of SIDS. This arrangement is known as co-bedding. It has been demonstrated that twins who have grown up in this environment develop a more coordinated sleeping pattern.

A twin bedside cot, such as the Teknum FELLOW 2 is an excellent method to achieve this. It comes with two sets of bedding, so that each baby has their own space. This bedside cot is able to easily be moved from room to room when needed, and it provides a convenient way to check on babies without having to wake them by re-entering their sleep zone or disrupting their sleep patterns.

Other alternatives include double bassinets specially designed for infants that allow them to remain side-by-side and are ideal for nighttime feeding or changing diapers. The Halo Bassinest Twin has a breathable mesh panel and adjustable height to allow each infant to be easily accessible and visible at all times. The sides of the sleeper also adjust to lower and raise for quick access. If you’re looking for an 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 each other and the entire mattress swivels 360 degrees for an easy access to every infant.

For situations that are temporary, such as an unexpected family visit or hospital stay, many parents have found success with co-bedding twins in the large moses basket or small bassinette with a divider. This should only be done with the supervision of a healthcare provider. They will ensure that the babies are properly placed, with their feet placed at the foot of the crib, and all bedding is tucked into.

Safety

The most important safety feature for twins is that each baby have their own bed. This prevents the baby from being smothered, choked or otherwise choking by the other. This also helps avoid 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 multiplications have their own space to sleep in. The best method to achieve this is by having an additional bassinet or twin bedside cots that could be placed close to your bed while you’re feeding or soothing one of the babies during the night.

Although recent SIDS risk reduction recommendations from the American Academy of Pediatrics encourage room sharing with parents and avoid cobedding, the reality is that a lot of families of twins and higher-order multiples aren’t able to comply with these guidelines (1). A previous study revealed that a large majority of families with twins that were cobedded during the first three months at home opted for unsafe sleeping practices (room sharing without cobedding).

Parents of twins may not follow current SIDS recommendations due to a desire to sleep longer and the lack of space at home to accommodate multiple cribs. Additionally, socioeconomic status can influence family decisions regarding sleeping arrangements.

If twins are placed together in a crib or Moses basket, they can easily become entangled by their bedding, and possibly choke on one another. If you decide to sleep your twins in the same cot, it’s important to place them in the position of feet-to-head and have their bedding securely tucked into each cot to limit the chance of them smothering each other.

One of the safest and more practical 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 mesh walls to separate twins and give them their own flat, safe sleep surface. It rotates 360 degrees to bring one of your babies closer to you for feedings or calming without having to leave the peace of your bed. The side walls lower and auto-return every time you move. bedside cot bed to clean and fits into a 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

Welcoming twins or multiples to the world is an enormous life change. They require plenty of planning and consideration especially when it comes to where they will be sleeping and how they will get a good night’s sleep. Parents often ask themselves what they can do to make their children feel more comfortable in the early years of their lives.

It is possible for twins to share a crib when they are small. This is known as co-bedding and can provide great comfort to newborns as it brings them back to the birthing process. It is essential to make sure that the beds are big enough to allow the newborns to feel at ease without touching each other or roll around. It is also important to keep in mind that the baby who waks first must be fed. It is helpful to coordinate feeding times at night to ensure that you wake one of them up earlier than the other.

It is crucial to keep in mind that twins are quite different and could have their own sleep routines. You may find that one baby is waking more than the other or they prefer to be closer to you. In this instance it might be best to give each twin a separate crib or bassinet.

Look for twin bedside cots with breathable mesh dividers for separate sleeping areas. This is crucial for infants that are prone to heat stroke or for families in which mothers have had a c-section. Other beneficial features include an adjustable base, built-in storage for blankets and toys, and easy-to-use wheels. The Arm’s Reach cot is a great choice for these purposes because it has a spacious sleeping area and is designed with c-section moms in mind. The Graco Pack ‘n Play or Fisher-Price’s Easy Swaivel are both alternatives, but they have smaller sleeping spaces than the Arm’s Reach cot.

It is not recommended to sleep with twins in the same bed with an adult even if they’re close. It is an increased risk of SIDS and may result in suffocation strangulation or entrapment. The American Academy of Pediatrics suggests that twins should be kept in their cribs or bassinets in their parents’ bedrooms for the first six months.