A Bedside Cot For Twins
If space is a concern some parents opt to share a bed with twins. This is in line medical guidelines, and can assist with sleep harmony and soothing.
To reduce the risk, it's important to follow the safe sleeping guidelines. It's essential to keep your baby's crib, cot or bassinet in close proximity.
Safety
Welcoming two bundles of joy into the world is a wonderful experience but also brings lots of responsibility and choices to make particularly when it comes to their sleep. To help newborn twins thrive, it is important to establish safe sleep practices. However, this can be a challenge for a lot of parents, particularly when they are in a tight space or their babies are preterm or have low birth weight and may require co-sleeping in some instances. A bedside cot is an ideal solution.
A bedside cot, which is an cot with a bassinet design is a novel product that attaches to the side of the mattress. It lets you lift your baby towards you during the night to feed him or to soothe him to sleep if he is crying. There are many bedside cots to choose from, with different styles and prices. Some cots fold into a neat manner making it easy to store them or take them on holiday.
The most important feature of the bedside cot is that it is clearly separated from your sleeping space, which reduces the possibility of overheating or suffocation to a minimum. The Lullaby Trust recommends that your baby is in the same room for the first 6 months however, it is not recommended to sleep in the exact same bed due to the possibility of SIDS. Props such as pillows, blankets wrapped up, or towels are not suggested as they could become a tangle hazard for the baby.
It is also essential that the cot you select meets all the required safety standards. Make sure it is free of holes or weak spots, and also that it's not coated with anything that could be harmful - such as lead paint - as this can be toxic for babies. Look for a label that states it meets the relevant British or European safety standard.
Some cots have an option to add a riser that can be added to create a slight incline in the crib to help children with reflux. It is important that this is done carefully, and with the guidance of your doctor or health professional to avoid any potential complications.
Ease of Use
While the hospital might have allowed twins to sleep together at home, it's best to follow the safe sleeping guidelines for infants in order to decrease your babies' danger of suffering from sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). Experts advise that babies sleep on their backs, in a crib or bassinet and without any pillows, blankets, or toys. This will help them breathe more easily, relax and fall asleep without assistance from a caregiver or parent.
Many parents have difficulty to adhere to the recommended sleeping arrangements for babies and infants. This is particularly true for families with multiple children, who may not have the space or time required to create separate sleeping areas. The kind of bed arrangements for babies and twins can also be influenced by social and economic factors.
A twin bedside cot is a safer, more convenient alternative to putting two newborns in the same bassinet or crib at home. It is possible to keep your twins close as they grow so that you can soothe them or feed them. It also allows you to move your babies into a larger crib or bed later as they become more mature.
Research has shown that cobedded twins have better sleep patterns and synchronization than those who sleep in separate. This is because twins who sleep in a group mimic the sense they experienced in the womb. This helps to regulate body temperature and sleep cycles.
While experts advise parents to co-bend their twins in the beginning but they also warn parents that it's not a secure practice. It increases the chance of suffocation or strangulation. It's not recommended if one parent drinks alcohol, smokes or takes medications that impair their judgment. The twins could also be at risk for injuries and falls as well as exposure to toxic airborne particles.
The Chicco Next2Me twin side sleeper is a great option for co-sleeping in bed and is suitable from birth to six months with improved air circulation to keep your baby comfortable. It features a transparent divide with a mesh inset so the twins can feel and see each other, but they're still safely separated by a barrier. It can be folded down for travel or storage.
Convenience
If your twins are young, it may be tempting to bring them into your bed in hopes that they will sleep better. However, co-sleeping could put your twins at the risk of suffocation, strangulation and entrapment, particularly when they are premature or have low birth weights.
In fact the AAP recommends that twins sleep in their own cribs or bassinets -- ideally within their private rooms for at least six months. If you have twins who don't seem to be sleeping well in their own separate cots, then you may want to try a bedside cot for twins. These bassinets allow you to keep your twins close, but separate them with the use of dividers. Once the twins are old enough to take it off it, they can be removed easily.
You can experiment to find the most effective way to arrange your twins. For instance, you can place them side-by-side in the cot, or consider placing them diagonally according to studies that have shown this can help with arousal and can increase sleep duration.
Swaddling twins can also aid in relaxation and self-soothing. Although swaddling isn't recommended by the AAP but it can be helpful for your twins to feel safe when they're asleep. However you should stop swaddling when your twins begin rolling over or they show signs of reaching their arms out to one another.
Finding your twins to nap simultaneously can be challenging but it's worth a try to do so, as it will help with their feeding schedules, and allow you to have peace and quiet in your bedroom. A bedside cot for twins could make this easier to do, as you can keep both babies in a safe distance while they sleep and easily check on them during the middle of the night.
Finding the best sleeping arrangement for your triplets or twins can be challenging initially. However, by experimenting with different arrangements and adhering to the safe sleeping guidelines, your twins will eventually discover their own rhythms and you'll get more restful nights too.
Style
It is recommended that twins sleep separately in order to decrease the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome. However, if you don't wish to purchase two separate cribs or bassinets or a bedside cot, then a bedside crib might be a good alternative. A bedside crib allows you to keep your twins nearby so that you can be near them and feed them in the late at night. They're also easy to set down for playtime and be moved from room to bedroom or even taken on a trip.
While there are plenty of options for bedsside cots, we love the Benzara Modular Dual Level Slatted Crib because it's a beautiful piece of furniture and built to last for a long time. It's also a great space-saver which makes it ideal for smaller homes. It's costly, however, so you may not be able to afford this much for one crib.
For a less pricey alternative, you can try a twin pack 'n play. These models have double bassinets that allow your babies can sleep together. They come with mesh walls that allow you to view your baby and they can be used from the time of birth until your twins outgrow them. The Graco Twin EZ Fold Play Yard is equipped with two bassinets.
If you decide to separate your twins, you can utilize a crib seperator in order to keep them from accidentally suffocating another. You can also purchase cribs designed specifically for twins. These cribs are usually larger and have more features.
bedside crib or cot of thought, meanwhile, allows twins to share the same crib or bassinet provided they're not too big to allow it. This is known as co-bedding and many parents prefer to continue this practice for the beginning of their lives. This can be problematic because of the possibility of accidental smothering. It is best to follow current medical advice and separate your twins once they are old enough.