A Bedside Cot For Twins
If space is a concern some parents opt to share a bed with twins. This is in the current guidelines of medical professionals and can help with sleep synchrony and soothing.
However, it's essential to adhere to the recommended safe sleeping guidelines to lower the chance of SIDS. This includes keeping your infants in a bassinet, cot or crib close to you.
Safety
Welcoming two bundles of joy into the world is an unforgettable experience, but it also comes with a lot of responsibility and choices to make, particularly when it comes to their sleep. To ensure that newborn twins are healthy, it is important to establish safe sleep habits. But this can be a challenge for many parents, especially when they are in a tight space or if their babies are born prematurely or have low birth weight and may require co-sleeping at times. Fortunately an cot that is placed near the bed can be helpful.
A bedside cot is a unique bassinet-style cot which is fixed to the side of your mattress and allows you to pull the baby towards you during night feeds or when they're crying, to help them go to sleep. There are many bedside cots that are available in various styles and prices. Some cots can fold up neatly, making it easy to store them and take them on holiday.
The most important aspect of a bedside cot is that it is completely separate from your own sleeping space, thereby reducing the risk of overheating or suffocation to an absolute minimum. While it is recommended by the Lullaby Trust and NHS that your baby is in the same room as you do for the first six months however, it is not recommended that they sleep in the same bed due to the possibility of SIDS. Props like pillows, rolled up blankets or towels is not a good idea either since they could create an entanglement risk for your baby.
It is essential to select a cot that meets all safety standards. Make sure it is free of holes or weak points, and that it's not coated with anything that could be hazardous - such as lead paint - as this can be harmful to babies. Look for a label that declares it meets the applicable British or European safety standard.
Some cots have an optional riser that can be used to create a slight slope in the crib to aid babies with reflux. But it is essential to do this with care and under the direction of your GP or health care professional to avoid any potential complications.
User-Friendliness
To reduce the chance of SIDS it is recommended to adhere to the safe sleeping guidelines. Experts advise that babies rest on their backs in a bassinet or a crib without blankets, pillows, or toys. This will allow them to breathe more easily, self-settle and fall asleep without help from a caregiver or parent.
Many parents find it difficult to stick to the recommended sleeping arrangement for babies and infants. This is especially the case for families with multiple children as they may have limited space and time to create separate sleeping areas. The types of sleeping arrangements for babies and twins may also be affected by socioeconomic factors.
A bedside cot for twins is a safer, more convenient alternative to placing two babies into the same crib or bassinet at home. It allows you to keep your twins close by while they're young and allows you to easily nurse or calm them down. You can also transfer your twins to a larger crib or bed as they grow.
Studies have shown that twins who are cobedded have better sleep pattern synchronization than those who sleep separately. This is due to the fact that twins who sleep together emulate the sense they had when they were babies. This helps them regulate their body temperature and sleep cycles.
Experts advise parents to co-bed twins during the first few months of their babies' lives, but caution that this isn't an appropriate method of care. It increases the risk of suffocation and 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 accidents and falls, and exposure to the airborne toxins.
The Chicco Next2Me twin sleeper is an excellent choice for co-sleeping at night and is suitable from birth to six months, with enhanced air circulation to keep your infants at ease. It features a transparent partition with a mesh insert to let the twins see and feel each other, but they're still safe from each other thanks to an enclosure. It folds down to store it and for travel making it easy to carry on your travels.
Convenience
It can be tempting when your twins are small to put them in your bed, hoping that they will rest more peacefully. Co-sleeping can put your twins at risk of suffocation or strangulation, especially if you have babies who are premature or with babies with 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 your twins are not sleeping well in their separate cots, then you may be interested in a twin bedside cot. These bassinets permit you to keep your twins together, but separate them by the use of dividers. Once bedside crib or cot are old enough to remove it, they can be removed easily.
There are a variety of ways to set up your twins in a bedside cot, and you can test what works best for your twins. For instance, you can place them side-by-side in the cot, or you can place them diagonally, as some studies have proven this helps with arousal and can increase sleep duration.
Some parents also opt to wrap their twins in a blanket before they go to bed, which can help them self-soothe and relax. The AAP does not recommend swaddling but it can make your twins feel more at ease while they sleep. However it is best to stop swaddling the moment your twins begin to roll over or they start to extend their arms toward each other.
Finding your twins to nap simultaneously can be a challenge, but it's worth trying to do so, since it can help with their feeding schedules and will give you some peace and quiet in your own bedroom. A bedside cot for twins can make this much easier to do, as you can keep both babies away from each other as they sleep and then monitor them throughout the night.
Finding the ideal sleeping arrangement for your twins or triplets may be a challenge at first. But, by trying out different configurations and sticking to safe sleep guidelines, your twins will eventually develop their own rhythms and you'll enjoy more restful sleep as well.
Style
It's recommended that twins sleep separately to reduce the chance of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). However, if you don't have the money to purchase two bassinets or cribs and a bedside cot could be a great alternative. A bedside cot allows you to keep your twins close so that you can take them out for mid-night feeds and to keep them warm throughout the night. They can also be easily lowered for playtime, or moved from one room another or even taken out on a trip.
There are a lot of options for bedsside cots, we like 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 perfect for smaller homes. It's costly, however it's not cheap, so you might not want to spend that much on one crib.
For a less pricey alternative, you could try twin pack 'n play. These models come with double bassinet inserts so that your children can share a bed. They have mesh walls, so you can observe your baby. They can be used for twins from birth until the time they outgrow it. The Graco Twin EZ Fold Play Yard is a good example of a pack 'n play that comes with double bassinets.
If you do choose to separate your twins, it is possible to make use of a crib separator in order to keep them from suffocating one another. There are cribs designed specifically for twins. They are typically larger and come with more features.
According to the popular attachment parenting theory twins can be in the same bassinet or crib in the event that they are not too small. This is referred to as co-bedding and many parents choose to continue this practice for the first few months of their lives. This can be problematic however, due to the risks of accidental smothering. So, it's best to stick with the current medical guidelines of separation of your twins as soon as they're old enough.