It is best to keep your newborn twins close together However, you must adhere to safety sleep guidelines. The proper crib arrangement will help your twins develop a consistent sleeping routine.
A double bassinet that has the option of dividing can be a great choice for twins. These beds can be used as portable beds to let parents keep their babies near for mid-night feedings and diaper changes. These beds are also ideal for babies who are likely to outgrow their bassinets for baby when they reach toddlerhood.
Space-Saving
Twins can sleep together in a bedside crib with wheels cot, provided you adhere to the safe sleeping guidelines (that's to say that they should be laid on their backs with the tops of their heads overlapping each other, and their feet on opposite ends of the cot). They can also share a bed in a Moses basket or a regular crib once they're large enough.
This Delta double bassinet features a mesh divider that allows children to be separated but still close. It also has a pocket for storage for snacks and wipes. It's also foldable, making it easier to move around the house and take on excursions.
Another option is the EZ Fold Twin Bassinet from Walmart, which swivels to bring your twins' fluttery little ones closer to you for feedings and comfort. The sides can be lowered and raised for easy access and are secured for security. It is a little longer and heavier than other options, but great for second-floor or homes for grandparents. It also comes with a carry-on bag. It's also less expensive than the Halo Bassinest Twin.
Convenience
Parents of twins might be enticed to put the twins together in a single crib or bassinet but this is not generally recommended. Rednose recommends that twins have their own safe sleeping area (crib, portable crib, or bassinet) in the room of the parents/caregivers until they reach 12 months to lower the chance of SIDS. This arrangement is also referred to as co-bedding and it has been observed that twins who are accustomed to this sleeping environment will generally have a more coordinated sleep pattern than twins who sleep separately.
One of the most efficient ways to achieve this is with a twin bedside cot like the Teknum FELLOW 2 that comes with two distinct bedding sets so each baby can have a personal and comfortable space. The bedside cot can be easily moved from one room to the next as needed. It offers an easy and convenient way to check on your babies without disturbing their sleep patterns or awakening them.
Other options include double bassinets which have been designed specifically for infants that allow them to remain side-by-side and are ideal for middle-of-the-night feeding or changing diapers. The Halo Bassinest Twin has a mesh panel that is breathable and adjustable in height to allow each baby to be easily accessible and visible at all times. The sides of the sleeper lower and raise to allow for easy access. If you're looking for an affordable alternative, the Walmart-exclusive Twin EZ Fold Double Bassinet is similar, having two separate sleeping zones, separated by a mesh panel that allows babies to view each other, and the entire sleeper is able to rotate 360 degrees, giving ease of access for each infant.
For short-term situations like an emergency family visit or hospital stay, many parents have found the benefits of co-bedding twins using large moses baskets or a small bassinette with a divider. This should only be done under the supervision a healthcare provider. They will ensure that the babies are properly placed on their feet at the bottom of the crib and all bedding put in.
Safety
When twins sleep together, the most important security feature is that each infant has his or her individual space to sleep. This ensures that each infant isn't smothered, or trapped by the other. It also helps prevent the death of a cot, which is more frequent in infants who are single than in multiples.
The American Academy of Pediatrics suggests that tritons, twins and higher-ordered multis have their own sleeping space. This can be achieved with a separate bassinet, or twin bedside sleeper cot crib that you can place on your bed to feed or sooth one of your babies during the night.
While the American Academy of Pediatrics has recently issued guidelines to lower the SIDS risk by encouraging room sharing and avoiding cobedding, many families of twins and multiples have found it difficult to follow these guidelines (1). In a previous study it was discovered that the majority of twin families who cobedded their children in the first three months of life at home engaged in unsafe sleep practices.
Parents of twins may not adhere to current SIDS guidelines due to a desire to sleep longer and the absence of space in the home to accommodate multiple cribs. In addition, socioeconomic status could affect the family's decisions regarding the arrangement of their sleep.
If twins are positioned side-by-side in a tiny crib or Moses basket, they could easily become entangled by their bedding and could choke on each other. If you choose to put your twins in the same cot it is important to put them in the position of feet-to-head and have their bedding securely tucked into each cot to minimize the possibility of them colliding with each one.
A bassinet that is positioned at the bedside crib that turns into cot, like the Halo Bassinest Twin, is one of the safest and more convenient options for twins that want to sleep in a separate bed. The double bassinet features an enclosed mesh wall that can divide twins and give them their own flat, secure sleep surface. It can be swiveled 360 degrees, so you can bring your baby closer to you without having to leave your bed. The side walls automatically lower and return with every movement. It's easy to clean and fits in a standard twin bed frame. For a less expensive alternative, consider the Delta Children Twin EZ Fold Double Bassinet, which is available at Walmart and offers similar 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 consideration, not least when it comes to the place they will sleep and how they will get a restful night's sleep. While decisions regarding their bedroom space are made later in life parents are often unsure of how they can help their children to feel comfortable in the beginning stages.
It is possible for twins to share a single cot if they are small. This is called co-bedding and can provide wonderful comfort for newborns since it brings them back to the womb. It is crucial to make sure 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 remember that the baby who waks first must be fed. It can be beneficial to co-ordinate night feeds to ensure that you wake one of them up earlier than the other.
It is important to be aware that twins may have different sleep routines. You may find that one baby is waking more frequently than the other or prefers to be closer to you. In this instance it may be beneficial for the twins to share their own crib or bassinet in their room.
Find twin amazon bedside cot cots with mesh dividers that are breathable for sleeping areas that are separate. This is essential for babies who are susceptible to heat stroke or for families where mothers have had a c-section. A reversible base as well as wheels that are easy to move are also useful features. The Arm's Reach cot is a good option for this purpose, as it offers a large sleeping area and is designed with mothers who have c-sections in mind. Other options are the Graco Pack 'n Play and the Fisher-Price Easy Swaivel, but they have less sleeping space than the Arm's Reach cot.
Even if they're very close, it is not recommended that twins share a bed with an adult. This increases the risk of SIDS, and could lead to suffocation, strangulation or entrapment. The American Academy of Pediatrics suggests that twins should be in their own bassinets or cribs in their parents' room for the first six months.