Newborn twins sleep best when close to each other It's vital to adhere to the safe sleep guidelines. The right crib arrangement can aid your twins in establishing a consistent sleeping routine.
A double bassinet that has an divider is a great choice for twins. These beds can be used to keep their babies close for diaper changes and feedings at night. They are also great for infants who might outgrow their bassinets before baby 2 years old.Space-Saving
Twins can sleep side-by-side in a bedside crib to cot cot so long as you follow safe sleeping guidelines (that's to say they should be lying on their backs, with the tops of their heads overlapping each other and feet at opposite sides of the cot). They can also sleep together in a Moses basket or regular crib when they're old enough.
This Delta double bassinet has a mesh partition that allows children to be separated but still close. It comes with a handy storage pocket to keep wipes and snacks nearby, too. It can also fold making it easy to move around the home and take on excursions.
Another alternative is the EZ Fold Twin Bassinet from Walmart, which swivels to bring fussy twins closer to you for feeding and soothing. The sides can be raised and lowered for easy access, and are locked to ensure security. It's a bit bigger and heavier than other models, but great for second floor or grandparents' homes. It also comes with a carry-on bag. It's also much cheaper than the Halo Bassinest Twin.
Convenience
Many parents of twins may be tempted to put the twins together in a single crib or bassinet, this is generally not recommended. Rednose suggests that twins have their own safe sleeping space (crib or portable crib or bassinet) in the room of the parents or caregivers until they reach the age of 12 months old to lower the risk for SIDS. This is known as co-bedding. It has been shown that twins who grew in this environment develop a more coordinated sleeping patterns.
A twin bedside crib that turns into cot cot, such as the Teknum FELLOW 2 is a fantastic way to accomplish this. It comes with two separate sets of bedding to ensure that each baby gets their own space. This bedside cot is able to easily be moved from room to room when necessary, and also makes it easy to monitor the baby without having to wake them by re-entering their sleeping space or disrupting their routines.
Other options include double bassinets, which have been designed specifically for infants that allow them to remain side-by-side and are ideal for nighttime feedings or diaper changes. The Halo Bassinest Twin has a mesh panel that breathes and is adjustable in height to allow each baby to be seen and reachable at all times. The sides of the sleeper lower and raise for easy access. Walmart's Twin EZ Fold Double Bassinet, which is a cheaper alternative, comes with two sleep zones that are separated by a mesh panel, allowing babies to see each other. The sleeper also swivels around 360 degrees to allow easy access to infants.
For temporary situations like a family visit or hospital stay Parents have reported the benefits of co-bedding twins using large moses baskets or a small bassinette that has dividers. However, this should be done only under the supervision of a medical professional to ensure that the babies are properly positioned and with their feet towards the bottom of the cot and all bedding securely tucked in, to prevent them from being suffocated.
Safety
When twins are sleeping together, the most crucial safety feature is that each baby has their individual space to sleep. This prevents the baby from being smothered, choked, or otherwise being choking by the other. It also helps to prevent cot death, which is more frequent in infants who are single than in multiples.
The American Academy of Pediatrics suggests that twins, tritons and higher-ordered triplets have their own space to sleep in. This can be accomplished by using an individual bassinet or a twin bedside crib you can bring up to your bed to feed or soothe one of the babies during the night.
While recent SIDS risk reduction recommendations from the American Academy of Pediatrics encourage room sharing with a parent and avoid cobedding but the reality is that many families of twins and other higher-order multiples have trouble adhering to these guidelines (1). In a previous study, it was found that the majority of twin families who co-bedded their children in the first three months of their lives at home were engaged in dangerous sleep habits.
Parents of twins may not follow the current SIDS risk reduction guidelines because of a desire to prolong their own sleep and a lack of space to accommodate multiple cribs in the home. Furthermore, socioeconomic status may affect the family's decisions regarding sleeping arrangements.
If twins are put in a small Moses basket or crib, their bedding can easily entangle them and they could choke on eachother. If you decide to sleep your twins in the same cot, it is essential to place them in a head-to-foot position and with their bedding tucked securely into the cots to reduce their chances of smothering each one.
One of the safer and more comfortable alternatives for twins to sleep independently is a bedside bassinet like the Halo Bassinest Twin. This double bassinet has a mesh wall to divide twins and give them their own flat, safe sleeping surface. It can be swiveled 360 degrees, meaning you can bring your child closer to you without leaving your bed. The side walls automatically lower and then return with each movement. 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 comes with the same features as the Halo Bassinest.
Comfort
It's a significant life change to welcome twins or multiples into the world. They require a lot of planning and thought not to mention when it comes to where they will be sleeping and how they will get a good night's sleep. While the decisions regarding their future room can be made as they age parents often ask how they can help their children to settle in the early stages.
It is possible for twins to share a single cot when they are very small. This is called co-bedding and can provide excellent comfort for babies as it reminds them of the birthing process. The key is to ensure that the beds are big enough for babies to feel comfortable without touching or bouncing around. It is also important to remember that the baby who awakes first must be fed. It is helpful 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 can be quite different and could develop their own sleeping routines. It could be that one child wakes more frequently than the other or prefers to be nearer to you. In this situation it could be beneficial for the twins to have their own crib or bassinet in their room.
When looking for a twin bedside cot ensure that it has ventilated mesh dividers that can create separate sleeping zones. This is important for babies that are prone to heat stroke or for families in which mothers have had a c-section. Reversible bases and wheels that are easy to move are also beneficial features. The Arm's Reach cot, which is designed for c-section mothers is a great option because it offers a huge sleeping area and is easy to maneuver. Other options include the Graco Pack 'n Play and the Fisher-Price Easy Swivel but they offer smaller sleeping areas than the Arm's Reach cot bedside.
It is not recommended to sleep with twins in the same bed as an adult, even if they are very close. This can increase the risk of SIDS and cause strangulation or suffocation. The American Academy of Pediatrics suggests that twins should be kept in their bassinets or cribs in their parents' rooms for the first 6 months.