A Bedside Cot For Twins
If space is a concern parents often opt to sleep in twin beds. This is in line with medical guidelines and can aid in calming and harmony during sleep.
However, it's important to adhere to the safe sleeping guidelines to lower the chance of SIDS. This includes keeping your infants crib, bassinet, or cot crib close to you.
Safety
Being the first to welcome two children into the world is an unforgettable experience but also brings a lot of responsibility and decisions to make, especially in regards to their sleep. To ensure that twins have a healthy and happy start, it is important to establish safe sleep practices. However, this can be a problem for a lot of parents, particularly when they are in a tight space or if their children are premature or small in weight and will require co-sleeping in some instances. A bedside cot is an ideal solution.
A bedside cot is a unique, bassinet-style cot that fixes to the side of your mattress and lets you lift the baby up towards you during night feeds or when they're crying, to soothe them to sleep. Bedside cots can be found in a variety of styles and prices. Some are even designed to fold up neatly away making them easy to store or take on vacation.
The most important feature of the bedside cot is that it is completely separate from your personal sleeping space, which reduces the possibility 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 for the first six months but it is not recommended that they sleep in the same bed due to the danger of SIDS. Props like pillows, blankets rolled up or towels aren't recommended either as they can cause tangles for the baby.
It is also crucial that the cot you select is in compliance with all safety standards. Check for any weak or holes, and ensure that it's not coated with lead paint. Lead is harmful to infants. Look for a label that states it meets the relevant British or European safety standard.
Some cots come with an optional riser that can be added in order to create a slight angle in the crib for babies who have reflux. But it is essential to do this in a controlled manner and under the guidance of your physician or health professional to avoid any potential problems.
Simple to Use
While the hospital may have allowed twins to sleep together at home, it's recommended to adhere to the safe sleeping guidelines for infants to minimize the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). Experts recommend that newborns sleep on the back in a crib, bassinet or cot, with no blankets, pillows or toys. This will allow them to breathe more easily and to self-settle so that they can fall asleep without the help of a caregiver or parent.
Many parents find it difficult to adhere to the recommended sleeping arrangement for newborns and babies. This is particularly true for families with multiple children who might not have the space or time required to create separate sleeping areas. The types of sleeping arrangements for twins and babies can also be influenced by social and economic factors.
A bedside cot for twins is a safer, more convenient alternative to putting two infants in the same bassinet or crib at home. You can keep your twins near while they are young so that you can soothe them down or even nurse them. You can also move your twins to a larger crib or bed as they become more mature.
Studies have proven that twins who are cobedded experience better sleep pattern synchrony than those who sleep in separate. This is due to the fact that twins who sleep together emulate the sense they experienced when they were babies. This helps them regulate their body temperature and sleep cycle.
Experts recommend parents cob twins during the first few months of their babies their lives, but they caution them that this is not a safe procedure. It increases the risk of suffocation or strangulation, and it's not appropriate for parents who drink alcohol or smoke, or take medications that affect their judgment. Bringing the twins into adult beds can also put them at risk of injuries and falls as well as being exposed to airborne toxins.
The Chicco Next2Me twin sleeper is a fantastic choice for co-sleeping in bed and can be used from the age of birth to six months with improved air circulation to keep your infants comfy. It features a transparent divide with a mesh inset that allows the twins to feel and see each other, but they're still separated by the barrier. It folds down for storage and travel and is easy to take on trips.
Convenience
If your twins are young, it might be tempting to take them into your bed in the hope that they'll sleep better. However, co-sleeping could put your twins at risk of suffocation, strangulation and entrapment, particularly if they are premature or have low birth weights.
In fact, the AAP recommends that twins sleep in their own bassinets or cribs -- ideally within their separate rooms for at most six months. If your twins are not sleeping well in their separate cots, you may consider the twin bedside cot. These bassinets keep your twin babies close and comfortable, but separated by a divider that can easily be removed once the twins are old enough to be outgrown.
You can try experimenting to find the most effective way to arrange your twins. You can place your twins in the cot side-by-side or diagonally. Certain studies have proven that this can aid in the arousal process, and also improve the duration of sleep.
Swaddling twins can aid in relaxation and self-soothing. While swaddling is not recommended by the AAP, it can help your twins to feel safe while they're asleep. However it is best to stop swaddling when your twins begin to roll over or they show signs of reaching their arms towards each other.
Finding your twins to nap at the same time can be a challenge but it's worth a try to achieve this as it will help with their feeding schedules and allow you to have peace and quiet in your bedroom. This is much easier with a twin bedside cot, since you can easily keep the twins within reach while they sleep.
Finding the ideal sleeping arrangement for your triplets or twins isn't easy initially. By trying out different configurations, and following safe sleeping guidelines to aid your twins in finding their own rhythms, and you will also enjoy a more restful night.
Style
It is recommended that twins sleep in separate beds to decrease the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome. If you don't have the money to purchase two cribs or bassinets then a bedside-cot might be an alternative. A bedside cot lets you keep your twins close to take them out for mid-night feeds and to provide them with a warm bed during the night. They're also easy to set down for playtime and can be moved from room to room or even taken on excursions.
While there are plenty of alternatives for bedsside cots, we prefer the Benzara Modular Dual Level Slatted Crib because it's well-constructed and designed to last for years. It is also very space-saving, making it ideal for smaller homes. It's expensive, however it's expensive, so you won't need to spend the amount for one crib.
You can also opt for a twin pack ‘n ' play, which is a cheaper alternative. These models come with double bassinets so that your children can share a bed. The models come with mesh walls so you can observe your baby. They are suitable for twins from birth until the time they are old enough to use it. The Graco Twin EZ Fold Play Yard is a good illustration of a pack 'n play that comes with two bassinets.
If you do choose to separate your twins, it is possible to use a crib separator to keep them from accidentally suffocating another. There are cribs that are specifically designed for twins. foldable bedside crib are usually larger and have more features.
The renowned attachment parenting school of thought in turn, permits twins to sleep in the same bassinet or crib as long as they're not too small for it. This is known as co-bedding, and many parents prefer to continue this method for the beginning 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 for separation of your twins as soon as they're old enough.