A Bedside Cot For Twins
If space is an issue some parents opt to share a bed with twins. This is in line medical guidelines, and can assist in calming and harmony during sleep.
It is important to follow the recommended safe sleeping guidelines to minimize the chance of SIDS. It is essential to keep your baby's cot, crib or bassinet in close proximity.
Safety
It is a magical moment to welcome two bundles of joy to the world However, it also comes with a lot of responsibility and decisions. This is especially applicable to their sleeping. Newborn twins require plenty of sleep to flourish and developing healthy sleep habits is essential for their development. But this can be a challenge for parents of all ages, particularly when they are in a tight space or if their babies are born prematurely or have small in weight and will require co-sleeping at times. Fortunately an cot that is placed near the bed can be helpful.
A bedside cot, which is an cot with a bassinet design is a unique product that is attached to the side of the mattress. It allows you to lift your baby towards you at night for feedings or to soothe him back to sleep if he is crying. There are a myriad of bedside cots to choose from, with a range of styles and price points. Some are even designed to fold easily away, making them simple to store or take with you on holiday.
The most important thing about the bedside cot is that it is clearly separated from your own sleeping space, which reduces the possibility of suffocation, or overheating to an absolute minimum. The Lullaby Trust recommends that your baby sleeps in the same room for the first six months however it is not recommended to sleep in the same bed due to the possibility of SIDS. Using co sleeper bedside cot as pillows, blankets rolled up or towels is not a good idea either, as they could become entanglement hazards for the baby.
It is also essential that the cot you choose has all the safety standards. Make sure it is free of holes or weak spots, and that it is not painted with anything hazardous - such as lead paint - as this can be harmful to babies. Check for a label that says it is compliant with the applicable British or European safety standard.
Some cots also have an option to add a riser that can be used to create a slight slope in the crib to aid children with reflux. It is important to do this with care and under the guidance of your physician or health care professional to avoid any potential complications.
Ease of Use
To reduce the risk of SIDS, you should follow the safe sleeping guidelines. Experts advise that babies sleep on their backs in a bassinet or crib, with no extra pillows, blankets or toys. This will help them breathe more easily, settle themselves and fall asleep without help from a parent or caregiver.
Many parents have difficulty, however, to adhere to the recommended sleeping arrangements for infants and newborns. This is especially true for families with multiple children, because they may not have enough space and time to set up separate sleeping areas. Additionally socioeconomic factors can influence the type of sleep arrangements for twins and babies.
A bedside cot for twins is an ideal, safer and more practical alternative to placing two babies in the same bassinet or crib at home. You can keep your twins close when they are still young so that you can calm them or nurse them. You can also put your twins to a bigger bed or crib as they become more mature.
Studies have proven that twins who live together experience better sleep pattern synchrony than those who sleep independently. This is due to the sense of connection that they experienced when they were babies, which helps them regulate body temperature and sleep cycles.
Although experts recommend parents cobed their twins in the beginning but they also warn parents that it's not a sane practice. It could increase the risk of strangulation or suffocation and it's not appropriate if one or both parents smoke or drink alcohol or use medications that influence their judgment. Bringing the twins into adult beds can put them at risk of falls and injuries and also exposed to the airborne toxins.
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 comfy. It has a transparent partition and mesh insert that lets the twins communicate with each other while being safe and separate. It can be folded down for travel and storage.
Convenience
When your twins are young, it can be tempting to bring them into your bed in the hope that they will sleep better. Co-sleeping can put your twins at risk of suffocation or strangulation, particularly if you have babies who are premature or with babies with low birth weights.
The AAP suggests that twins sleep in their bassinets or cribs with their parents, and ideally in their own rooms for at least six months. If your twins aren't sleeping comfortably in their separate cots, then you may want to try a twin bedside cot. These bassinets permit you to keep your twins close but separate them by a divider. Once the twins are old enough to take it off it, they will be removed easily.
You can try experimenting to find the best way to arrange your twins. For instance, you could put them side-by-side in the cot, or you can try placing them diagonally, as some studies have proven this helps with arousal and can improve sleep duration.
Some parents also choose to wrap their twins before they go to sleep to 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. However you should stop swaddling once your twins begin rolling over or they begin to show signs of reaching their arms toward each other.
Finding your twins to nap simultaneously can be a challenge 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 bedroom. A bedside cot for twins can make this much easier to do, as you can keep them at arm's length as they sleep and then check them during the middle of the night.
Finding the right sleeping arrangement for your triplets or twins can be challenging initially. By trying out different configurations, and following the guidelines for safe sleep will aid your twins in finding their individual rhythms, and you will also have a more peaceful night.
Style
It is recommended that twins should sleep in separate beds to reduce the risk for Sudden Infant Death Syndrome. If you don't have the funds to buy two cribs or bassinets then a bedside-cot might be a good alternative. A bedside cot lets you keep your twins near to take them out for feedings at night and comfort them throughout the night. They can also be easily removed for playtime, and moved from one room to another or even taken on a journey.
There are a variety of options for bedsides cots. We prefer the Benzara Modular Double Level Slatted Crib, because it is beautifully constructed and built to last. It also has a great space-saving design, making it ideal for smaller homes. It's possible that you don't need to spend so much money on cribs, because it's costly.
If you're looking for a cheaper alternative, consider a twin pack 'n ' play. These models have double bassinets that allow your children can share a bed. The models come with mesh walls that let you view your baby. They can be used by twins from birth until the time they are old enough to use it. The Graco Twin EZ Fold Play Yard is equipped with two bassinets.
If you decide to separate your twins, you can use a crib seperator to prevent them from suffocating one other. You can also buy cribs specifically designed for twins. They tend to be bigger and have more features than regular cribs, such as side-by-side sleeping areas and storage spaces.
According to the renowned attachment parenting theory, twins can sleep in the same bassinet or crib so long as they are not too small. Co-bedding is what it's called and a lot of parents continue to do it for the first few weeks of their child's life. This can be problematic however, due to the risk of smothering your child accidentally. Therefore, it's best to adhere to the current medical guidelines for separation of your twins as soon as they're old enough.