Choosing a Bedside Cot for Twins

It's best to keep newborn twins close together, but you should also adhere to safety sleep guidelines. A proper crib arrangement can help your twins develop an established routine for sleeping.

A double bassinet that comes with a divider can be an ideal option for twins. These beds can be used as portable beds to let parents keep their infants close for feedings in the middle of the night and diaper changes. They also work well for babies who may outgrow their bassinets prior to 2.

Space-Saving

As long as you adhere to safe sleeping guidelines, twins can sleep in a bedside crib side-by-side. They should be positioned on their backs, with their heads touching and their feet at the opposite ends. Once they are big enough, they may also share a bed in a Moses Basket or regular crib.

We love this Delta double bassinet. It features a mesh partition to allow babies to remain separate but close to each and each other. It also has a convenient storage compartment to keep snacks and wipes close by as well. Plus, it folds flat making it easy to move around the house or go on trips.

Another alternative is the EZ Fold Twin Bassinet from Walmart that swivels to bring fussy twins closer to you for feeding and calming. The sides can be raised and lowered to allow access, and they lock into place for security. It's a bit bigger and heavier than other models but is great for the second floor or grandparent's homes. It also comes with a carry-on bag. It's also a lot less expensive than the Halo Bassinest Twin.

Convenience

It is not recommended that parents of twins put their babies in the same bassinet or crib. Rednose recommends that twins have their own secure sleeping area (crib, portable crib, or bassinet) in the room of the caregivers/parents until they reach 12 months to reduce the risk for SIDS. This arrangement is also known as co-bedding and it has been observed that twins who are accustomed to this sleep environment will generally have a more coordinated sleeping pattern than twins who sleep in separate rooms.

One of the most convenient ways to achieve this is to use a twin bedside travel cot cot for bedside like the Teknum FELLOW 2 which comes with two separate bedding sets so each baby can have an area that is comfortable and private. This bedside crib to cot cot can also easily be moved from room to room when 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 a different option. They allow infants to be side-by-side, and are ideal for feedings and diaper changes in the middle of the night. The Halo Bassinest Twin has a breathable mesh panel and adjustable height that allows each baby to be seen and reachable at all times. The sides of the sleeper also adjust to lower and raise for quick access. Walmart's Twin EZ Fold Double Bassinet, which is a cheaper alternative, has two sleeping zones separated by a mesh panel which allows babies to see each the other. The sleeper also rotates around 360 degrees to allow an easy access for infants.

Many parents have realized that co-bedding twins with moses baskets, or a small bassinette can be a good solution for temporary situations like hospital stays or a visit to the family. However this should be done only under the supervision of a medical professional to ensure that babies are properly positioned in a cot, with their feet at the bottom of the cot and their bedding properly tucked in to avoid them from becoming suffocating.

Safety

When twins sleep together, the most important safety feature is that each baby has their own sleep space. This helps prevent every baby from being smothered, choked or otherwise being choking by the other. It also helps prevent 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 multis have their own sleeping space. This can be accomplished by using an individual bassinet or twin bedside crib that you can put on your bed to feed or sooth 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 discourage cobedding however, the reality is that a lot of families of twins and other higher-order multiples aren't able to comply with these guidelines (1). A previous study found that a majority of families of twins that were cobedded during the first three months at home used unsafe sleeping practices (room sharing without cobedding).

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

When twins are placed side-by-side in a tiny crib or Moses basket, they can easily be entangled by their bedding and potentially choke on each other. If you decide to sleep your twins together in the same cot, it's important to place them in the feet-to-head position and their bedding tucked securely into the cots to reduce the chance of them smothering each one.

One of the safer and more convenient options for twins to be able to sleep independently is a bassinet that sits beside the bed like the Halo Bassinest Twin. This double bassinet has an enclosed mesh wall that can separate twins and give them their own flat, safe sleep surface. It swivels a full 360 degrees so you can bring one of your babies closer to you for feedings or to soothe while still in the comfort of your bed. The side walls lower and automatically return with each movement. It's easy to clean and fits in the standard twin bed frame. If you're looking for a cheaper alternative, consider the Delta Children Twin EZ Fold Double Bassinet, which is available at Walmart and comes with similar features to the Halo Bassinest.

Comfort

The arrival of twins or multiples into the world is a huge life-changing. They require lots of planning and thought not to mention when it comes to the place they will sleep and how they will get a good night's sleep. Parents often wonder what they can do to help their children feel more comfortable in the early years of their lives.

When twins are young, they can be able to share one crib. Co-bedding is a method for soothing newborns by reminding them of their mother's womb. The key is to make sure the beds are large bedside crib enough for the babies to be comfortable without touching each other or rolling around. Also, be aware that the baby who wakes up first should be fed. It is helpful to coordinate nighttime feeds to ensure that you wake one up earlier than the other.

However, it is important to remember that twins are very different and they might develop their own sleep patterns. You may find that one baby sleeps more than the other or prefers to be near you. In this situation it is possible to provide each twin with their own crib or bassinet.

When looking for a twin bedside cot used cot, ensure that it has breathable mesh dividers to create distinct sleeping zones. This is crucial for infants who are susceptible to heat stroke or for families where mothers have had a C-section. Other useful 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 choice for these purposes because it has an ample sleeping space and is designed with mothers who have c-sections in mind. The Graco Pack 'n Play or Fisher-Price Easy Swaivel are also options, but offer 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 can increase the risk of SIDS and cause strangulation or suffocation. The American Academy of Pediatrics suggests that twins sleep in their own bassinets or cribs in the parents' rooms for the first six months.