A Bedside Cot For Twins
If space is an issue parents often opt to share a bed with twins. This is in line with medical guidelines and can aid to promote harmony in sleep and soothe.
However, it's essential to adhere to the recommended safe sleeping guidelines to lower the chance of SIDS. It's essential to keep your baby's crib, cot or bassinet near by.
Safety
Being the first to welcome two children into the world is a wonderful experience but also brings many responsibilities and choices to make, especially when it comes to their sleeping. Newborn twins require plenty of rest to help them thrive and establishing healthy sleep habits is essential for their development. This could be a challenge for some parents, especially if they are limited in space or their babies have small birth weights or are premature. Fortunately an cot that is placed near the bed can help.
A bedside cot is a unique, bassinet-style cot that fixes to the side of your mattress and allows you to pull the baby up towards you for night feedings or when they are crying to soothe them back to sleep. There are a myriad of bedside cots that are available in different styles and prices. Some cots can fold into a neat manner making it easy to put them away or take them on holiday.
The most important characteristic is that it's clearly separate from your sleeping area and reduces the chance of suffocation or accidental overheating. The Lullaby Trust recommends that your baby sleeps with you in the same bedroom for the first six months however it is not recommended to sleep in the same bed due to the possibility of SIDS. Props such as pillows, blankets rolled up or towels aren't suggested as they could become a tangle hazard for the baby.
It is essential to choose a cot that is in compliance with all safety standards. Make sure it is free of holes or weak spots and that it is not coated with anything that could be dangerous - like lead paint as this can be toxic for babies. Look for a certificate stating that it is compliant with the appropriate British and European safety standard.
Some cots have an optional riser that can be added in order to create a slight angle within the crib for babies who have reflux. It is important to do this carefully and under the supervision of a GP or health expert to avoid any issues.
Simple to Use
While the hospital might have allowed twins to sleep at home, it's recommended to follow safe sleeping guidelines for infants to reduce your babies' risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). Experts recommend newborns sleep on their backs in a bassinet or crib, with no extra pillows, blankets or toys. This will allow them to breathe more easily, relax and fall asleep with no assistance from a parent or caregiver.
Many parents have difficulty to stick to the recommended sleep arrangements for infants and newborns. This is especially true for families with multiple children who might not have the space or time required to create separate sleeping areas. In addition socioeconomic factors can influence the types of sleeping arrangements used by twins and babies.
A twin bedside cot is an easier, safer alternative to placing two babies in the same bassinet or crib at home. It allows you to keep your twins close by when they're still young, so you can easily nurse or calm them down. You can also put your twins to a larger bed or crib as they grow.
Studies have shown that twins who cohabit have better sleep patterns synchronization than those who sleep separately. This is due to the sense of connection they experienced in the womb, which helps them regulate their body temperatures and sleep cycles.
Experts recommend parents cob twins during the initial months of their babies however, they warn that this is not a secure method. It could increase the risk of suffocation and strangulation. It's not recommended if one parent drinks alcohol, smokes or is taking medications that affect their judgment. The twins are also at risk of injuries and falls and exposure to toxic airborne particles.
The Chicco Next2Me twin side sleeper is a great option for co-sleeping at night and is suitable from birth to six months, with enhanced air circulation to keep your babies at ease. It has a clear partition with a mesh insert to let the twins feel and touch each other but are still safe from each other thanks to the barrier. It folds down for storage and travel, so it's easy to take when you travel.
Convenience
It can be tempting when your twins are still small to put them in bed with you in hopes that they will sleep more peacefully. However, co-sleeping could put your twins at risk of strangulation, suffocation and entrapment, particularly in the case of premature babies or have low birth weights.
In fact, the AAP recommends that twins sleep in their own cribs or bassinets -- ideally within their separate rooms for at most six months. However, if you have twins who do not appear to be sleeping well in their separate cots, then you may want to consider a bedside cot for twins. These bassinets will keep your twins close and comfortable however they are separated by the use of a divider that is able to be removed when twins have grown out of it.
You can experiment to find the best way to arrange your twins. You can put them in the cot side by side or diagonally. Some studies have shown that this may help reduce arousal, and improve the duration of sleep.
Some parents also choose to swaddle their twin babies before they go to sleep and help them self-soothe and relax. Although swaddling isn't recommended by the AAP, it can help your twins to feel safe when they're asleep. However, you should stop swaddling the moment your twins begin rolling over or start to extend their arms towards one another.
It can be a challenge to get your twins to sleep together, but it's worth it. It will assist you with their feeding times and will also give you some peace and quiet in the bedroom. This is easier with a twin bedside cot since you can easily keep the twins within reach as they sleep.
Finding the right sleeping arrangement for your triplets or twins can be challenging initially. But, if you try different configurations and sticking to safe sleep guidelines, your twins will eventually discover their own rhythms, and you'll have more restful nights too.
Style
It is recommended that twins sleep separately in order to reduce the risk for Sudden Infant Death Syndrome. If you don't have the money to purchase two bassinets or cribs or a bedside cot, then a bedside crib could be a great alternative. A bedside crib lets you to keep your twins nearby to be able to comfort them and feed them in the late at night. They can also be easily lowered for playtime, and transferred from one room to another or even taken on a trip.
While there are lots of alternatives for bedsside cots, we prefer the Benzara Modular Dual Level Slatted Crib because it's well-constructed and designed to last for many years. It also has a great space-saving design which makes it perfect for smaller homes. bedside cot co sleeper that you don't need to invest so much money in cribs, because it is expensive.
If you're looking for a less expensive alternative, you can try a twin pack 'n play. These models come with two bassinets so that your babies can sleep together. These models have mesh walls that let you view your baby. They can be used for twins from birth until the time they grow out of it. The Graco Twin EZ Fold Play Yard is a good example of a pack 'n play that comes with two bassinets.
If you do choose to separate your twins, you can use a crib separator to stop them from accidentally suffocating another. There are cribs specifically designed for twins. They are typically larger and have more features.
The renowned attachment parenting school of thought however, allows twins to sleep in the same bassinet or crib provided they're not too big to allow it. This is referred to as co-bedding. Many parents opt to keep this method for the first few months of their lives. This can be problematic because of the possibility of accidental smothering. Therefore, it's best to follow the current medical recommendations of separation of your twins as soon as they're old enough.