It is best to keep your twins in the infant stage close together However, you must adhere to the safety guidelines for sleeping. A proper crib arrangement can help your twins establish an established routine for sleeping.
A double bassinet that has a divider is a great option for twins. These beds can be used to keep their babies close for diaper changes and mid-night feedings. These beds are also great for babies who are likely to outgrow their baby bassinets before they reach the age of toddlerhood.
Space-Saving
Twins can share a bed in a bedside crib, as long as you follow the safe guidelines for sleeping (that's to say that they should lie on their backs with the tops of their heads overlapping each other and feet at opposite ends of the travel cot bedside). When they're old enough, they may also share a bed in a Moses Basket or a regular crib.
This Delta double bassinet has a mesh divider that allows babies to be separated, but still close. It also comes with a storage compartment for wipes and snacks. Additionally, it folds flat making it easy to move around the house or go on trips.
Another option is this EZ Fold Twin Bassinet from Walmart It can swivel to bring fussy twins closer to you for feedings and soothing. The sides can be raised and lowered to make it easier to access them and they are locked to ensure security. It is a little longer and heavier than other options however it is ideal for the second-floor or grandparent's homes. It also comes with a travel cot bedside bag. It's also a lot cheaper than the Halo Bassinest Twin.
Convenience
It is not recommended that parents of twins sleep their babies in the same bassinet or crib. Instead the Rednose group Rednose suggests that twins are provided with their own private sleeping space (crib or bassinet, or a portable crib) in the parents' or caregiver's room until they are 12 months old to help reduce the chance of SIDS. This arrangement is also known as co-bedding, and it has been proven that twins who are accustomed to this sleep environment will 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 travel bedside crib cot, like the Teknum FELLOW 2, that comes with two separate bedding sets, so that every baby can have an area that is comfortable and private. This bedside cots uk cot is able to easily be moved from room to room as necessary, and also provides a convenient way to check on the babies without needing to wake them by re-entering their sleeping space or disrupting their routines.
Other alternatives include double bassinets which have been designed specifically to allow the infants to stay side-by-side and are ideal for nighttime feedings or diaper changes. The Halo Bassinest Twin, for instance, comes with a breathable mesh divider and an adjustable height to ensure that each child can be seen and reached at all times, and the sides of the sleeper lower and raise to give easy access. Walmart's Twin EZ Fold Double Bassinet which is a more affordable alternative, comes with two sleep zones separated by a mesh panel, permitting babies to view each other. The sleeper also swivels around 360 degrees to give easy access to infants.
For short-term situations, such as a family visit or hospital stay Many parents have had success with co-bedding twins in the large moses basket or small bassinette with divider. However, this should be done only under the supervision of a healthcare professional to ensure that babies are properly placed and with their feet towards the floor of the cot and all bedding properly tucked in to prevent them from being suffocated.
Safety
When twins sleep together, the most important security factor is that each infant has their individual space to sleep. This prevents each baby from being smothered, choked or otherwise choking by the other. This also helps to avoid the death of a cot, which is more common in single infants than multiples.
The American Academy of Pediatrics suggests that twins, tritons and higher-ordered multiples have their own sleeping space. This can be achieved with an individual bassinet or twin bedside crib that you can bring up to your bed to feed or soothe one of the babies throughout the night.
While the American Academy of Pediatrics has recently issued recommendations to reduce the risk of SIDS by encouraging room sharing and avoiding cobedding, many families with twins and multiples find it difficult to adhere to these guidelines (1). A previous study revealed that the majority of families with twins who were cobedded during the first 3 months at home used unsafe sleep practices (room sharing without cobedding).
Parents of twins may not follow the current SIDS guidelines due to the desire to sleep longer and a lack of space at home to accommodate multiple cribs. In addition the socioeconomic standing 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 may easily get caught in their bedding and could choke on each other. If you're planning to sleep your twins in the same cot it is important to put them in the position of feet-to-head and have their bedding secured in each cot to minimize the possibility of them colliding with each other.
A bedside co sleeper bassinet, such as the Halo Bassinest Twin, is one of the safer and most convenient options for twins who want to sleep in a separate bed. This double bassinet has mesh walls to separate twins and give them their own flat, secure sleeping surface. It can be turned 360 degrees, which means you can bring your baby closer to you without leaving your bed. The side walls automatically lower and return with each movement. It is also easy to clean, and can be tucked away into the standard twin-sized bed frame. If you're looking for a less expensive alternative, check out the Delta Children Twin EZ Fold Double Bassinet that is available at Walmart and has similar features as the Halo Bassinest.
Comfort
Welcoming twins or multiples to the world is a major life-changing. Not least, they require a lot of planning and thinking in regards to their sleeping arrangements and how they can get a good sleep. While decisions regarding their bedroom space are made when they are older parents are often unsure of how they can help their children get comfortable in the early stages.
When twins are very young, they can be able to share a cot. Co-bedding is a method of soothing newborns by reminding them of their mother's womb. It is important to ensure that the beds are large enough to allow newborns to feel at ease without touching each others or roll around. It is also important to keep in mind that the baby who wakes first must be fed. It is helpful to coordinate feeding times at night so that you can get one baby up before the other.
It is important to remember that twins have different sleeping routines. You may find that one child wakes more than the other or that they prefer to be nearer to you. In this situation, it may be best to give each twin a separate bassinet or crib.
Choose a cot with twin beds that have breathable mesh dividers to create separate sleeping areas. This is especially important for babies that are more prone to overheating or families with mothers who have had c-sections. A reversible base as well as wheels that are easy to move are also helpful features. The Arm's Reach cot, specifically designed for mothers with c-sections is a great option due to its large sleeping area and is easy to move. The Graco Pack 'n Play or Fisher-Price Easy Swaivel are other options, but offer smaller sleeping spaces than the Arm's Reach cot.
Even if they're close, it's not recommended for twins to 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 be kept in their cribs or bassinets in their parents' rooms for the first six months.
