A Bedside Cot For Twins
If space is a concern parents often opt to sleep in twin beds. This is in line with current medical recommendations and can help with sleeping synchronization and soothing.
To minimize the risk, it's crucial to follow the secure sleeping guidelines. This includes keeping your babies in a bassinet, cot or crib close to you.
Safety
Being the first to welcome two children into the world is a wonderful experience, but it also comes with lots of responsibility and decisions to make, especially when it comes to their sleep. Newborn twins require plenty of sleep to flourish and developing healthy sleep habits is essential for their development. However, this can be a struggle for parents of all ages, particularly when they have a limited space or their babies are born prematurely or have overweight at birth and need to co-sleep at times. Fortunately an cot that is placed near the bed can be helpful.
A bedside cot that is an cot that resembles a bassinet is a novel product that is attached to the side of the mattress. It allows you to bring your baby closer to you at night for feedings or to soothe him to sleep if he's crying. Bedside cots come in a variety of styles and costs. Some cots fold up neatly, making it easy to put them away or travel with them on holiday.
The bedside cot's most important characteristic is that it's clearly separated from your sleeping space and reduces the chance of suffocation or overheating. 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 however, it is not recommended to sleep in the same bed due to the danger of SIDS. Props like pillows, blankets wrapped up or towels are not recommended as they could become a tangle hazard for the baby.
It is also important that the cot you pick meets all the required safety standards. Look for weak or holes, and make sure it's not coated with lead paint. Lead can be poisonous to infants. Look for a label stating that it is compliant with the applicable British and European safety standard.
Some cots have an option to add a riser that can be used to create a slight incline in the crib to help infants with reflux. It is important to do this with care and under the supervision of a GP or health expert to avoid any problems.
Easy of Use
While the hospital may have allowed twins to sleep together at home, it's best to follow the safe sleeping guidelines for infants to minimize your baby's risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). Experts suggest that infants rest on their backs in a crib, bassinet or cot, without any extra pillows, blankets or toys. This will allow them to breathe more easily and relax and fall asleep without the assistance of a caregiver or parent.
Many parents have difficulty, however, to adhere to the recommended sleeping arrangements for newborns and babies. This is especially true for families with multiples, since they may be limited in space and time to create separate sleeping areas. The types of sleeping arrangements for babies and twins may also be affected by social and economic factors.
A twin bedside cot can be a safer and more convenient alternative to putting two babies in the crib at the same time at home. You can keep your twins near when they are still young to help you calm them down or even nurse them. It also gives you the flexibility to let your children move to a bigger crib or bed later, as they develop.
Studies have shown that twins who are cobedded have better sleep pattern synchronization than those who sleep in separate. This is due to the fact that twins who sleep together mimic the sense they experienced in the womb. This helps to regulate body temperature and sleep cycles.
While experts advise parents to co-smother their twins during the beginning however, they warn that it's not a sane practice. It can increase the likelihood of strangulation or suffocation and is not recommended when both parents drink alcohol, smoke cigarettes or are taking medications that alter their judgment. The twins may also be at risk of injuries and falls and exposure to airborne toxins.
The Chicco Next2Me Twin Side Sleeper is an excellent option for cosleeping at bedtime. It can be used between birth and six months. It's got improved air circulation, which keeps your babies comfortable. It has a transparent partition and mesh insert that lets the twins be able to see each other, while being separated. It can be folded down for travel or storage.
Convenience
It is tempting when your twins are small to put them in your bed hoping that they'll rest more peacefully. Co-sleeping can put your twins at risk of suffocation or strangulation, particularly if you have babies who are premature or with low birth weights.
In fact the AAP suggests that twins sleep in their own cribs or bassinets -- and ideally in their separate rooms for at most six months. However, if you've got twins who don't seem to be sleeping well in their separate cots, then you may want to look into a bedside cot that is suitable for twins. These bassinets permit you to keep your twins together, but separate them by the use of dividers. Once your twins are old enough to take it off it, they will be easily removed.
You can play around to determine the best way to arrange your twins. For example, you can put them side-by-side in the cot, or place them diagonally, according to studies that have shown that this improves arousal levels and may improve overall sleep duration.
Some parents also opt to swaddle their twin babies before bed, which can aid in their self-soothing and relaxation. The AAP does not recommend swaddling but it can help your twins feel at ease when they sleep. Swaddling should stop once your twins begin to fall over or show signs of reaching out their arms.
Finding your twins to nap at the same time isn't easy but it's worth a try to achieve this, because it will aid in their feeding schedules and will give you peace and quiet in your own bedroom. A bedside cot for twins will make this much easier to do, as you will be able to keep them both away from each other as they sleep and then monitor them in the middle of the night.
If you have twins or triplets, there's no doubt that finding the right sleeping arrangement may be a challenge initially. By experimenting with bedside crib and cot and following safe sleeping guidelines, you can aid your twins in finding their own rhythms, and you will also have a more peaceful night.
Style
It is recommended that twins sleep in separate beds to reduce the risk for Sudden Infant Death Syndrome. If you don't have the money to purchase two cribs or bassinets then a bedside-cot might be a good alternative. A bedside cot lets you keep your twins close by so that you can pick them up for feedings during the night and keep them warm throughout the night. They're also easy to put down for playtime, and can be moved from room to room, or even taken on excursions.
There are a variety of options for bedsides cots. We love the Benzara Modular Double Level Slatted Crib because it's beautifully constructed and built to last. It's also a great space saver, which makes it perfect for smaller homes. It's expensive, however it's not cheap, so you might not be able to afford this much for just one crib.
If you're looking for a cheaper alternative, you could try a twin pack 'n ' play. These models come with double bassinet inserts, so your children can sleep together. They feature mesh walls that let you observe your baby, and they can be used from the time of birth until your twins outgrow them. The Graco Twin EZ Fold Play Yard comes with a double bassinet.
If you decide to separate your twins, you can make use of a crib seperator to keep them from accidentally suffocating other. There are cribs that are specifically designed for twins. They are typically larger and come with more features than regular cribs, such as side-by-side sleeping areas and storage areas.
According to the well-known attachment parenting theory twins can sleep in the same crib or bassinet in the event that they are not too small. This is referred to as co-bedding, and many parents opt to keep this practice for the beginning of their lives. This could be a problem, due to the dangers of accidental smothering. Therefore, it's recommended to stick with the current medical recommendations of separating your twins as soon as they're old enough.