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Many parents opt to share a bed with their twins, especially if space is limited. This is in line with medical guidelines and can aid to promote harmony in sleep and soothe.
However, it's essential to follow the safe sleeping guidelines to reduce the chance of SIDS. It's important to keep your baby's crib, cot or bassinet in close proximity.
Safety
Being the first to welcome two children into the world is an unforgettable experience but also brings a lot of responsibility and choices to make especially in regards to their sleep. To ensure that newborn twins are healthy, it is important to establish safe sleeping habits. But this can be a problem for many parents, especially when they have a limited space or if their babies are born prematurely or have low birth weight and may need to co-sleep at times. A bedside cot is a great solution.
A bedside cot is an ingenuous bassinet-style cot which is fixed to the mattress's side and lets you lift the baby out towards you for feedings at night or when they're crying, to soothe them back to sleep. There are a variety of bedside cots available, in a range of designs and prices. Some are designed to fold up neatly away making them easy to store or to take on holiday.
The most important aspect of a bedside cot is the fact that it is clearly separated from your personal sleeping space, keeping the risk of overheating or suffocation to an absolute minimum. The Lullaby Trust recommends that your baby sleeps with you in the same room for the first six months, but it is not recommended to sleep in the exact same bed because of the risk of SIDS. Utilizing props such as pillows, blankets that are rolled up or towels isn't an option, as they could become entanglement hazards for the baby.
It is also essential that the cot you pick is in compliance with all safety standards. Check that it has no holes or weak spots and that it is not coated with something that is harmful - such as lead paint - as this can be toxic for babies. Check for a label that states that it is in compliance with the relevant British and European safety standards.
Some cots come with an optional riser that can be added to create a slight slope within the crib to assist babies with reflux. It is important that this is done carefully and under the direction of your doctor or health professional to avoid any potential complications.
Ease of Use
To decrease the chance of SIDS, you should adhere to the safe sleeping guidelines. Experts suggest that infants sleep on their backs in a bassinet, crib or cot, without any additional pillows, blankets or toys. This allows them to breathe more easily and self-settle and fall asleep without the help of a caregiver or parent.
Many parents have difficulty to stick to the recommended sleep arrangements for babies and infants. This is particularly true for families with multiples who might not have the space or time to create separate sleeping areas. Additionally the socioeconomic environment can affect the kinds of sleeping arrangements that are used for twins and infants.
A twin bedside cot can be a safer and more convenient option than placing two babies in the crib together at home. It lets you keep your twins close when they're still young and you can easily nurse or calm them down. It also allows you to let your children move into a larger crib or bed later, as they become more mature.
Studies have shown that twins who cohabit experience better sleep pattern synchrony than those who sleep separately. This is due to the fact that twins who sleep together mimic the sense they experienced in the womb. This helps to regulate their body temperature and sleep cycles.
Experts recommend parents cob twins during the first few months of their babies their lives, but they warn that this is not a safe procedure. It can increase the likelihood of suffocation or strangulation, and it's not appropriate for parents who smoke or drink alcohol or take medications that influence their judgment. The twins may also be at risk for accidents and falls, and exposure to toxic airborne particles.
The Chicco Next2Me twin sleeper is a great option for co-sleeping at night and can be used from 6 months to birth with improved air circulation to keep your baby at ease. It features a transparent divider with a mesh insert so the twins can feel and touch each other, yet they're still safely separated by the barrier. It folds flat to store it and for travel making it easy to take with you on trips.
Convenience
It can be tempting when your twins are small to take them to the same bed as you, hoping that they will rest more peacefully. Co-sleeping puts your twins in danger of suffocation and strangulation, particularly if you have babies who are premature or with babies with low birth weights.
In fact the AAP recommends that twins sleep in their own cribs or bassinets -- and ideally in their private rooms for at least six months. If your twins are not sleeping well in their cribs, you might be interested in the twin bedside cot. These bassinets permit you to keep your twins close, but separate them with the use of dividers. Once the twins are old enough to take it off the divider, they can be easily removed.
There are a myriad of ways to set up your twins in a bedside cot, and you can experiment with the one that works best for your twins. You can put your twins in the cot side by side or diagonally. Some studies have shown that this may help reduce awakening and increase sleep duration.
Some parents also choose to wrap their twins in a blanket before bed, which can aid in their self-soothing and relaxation. While swaddling is not recommended by the AAP, it can be helpful for your twins to feel safe while they're asleep. Swaddling should stop when your twins begin to fall over or show signs of reaching out their arms.
The process of getting your twins to sleep simultaneously can be a challenge, but it's worth trying to achieve this since it can help with their feeding schedules and will let you enjoy some peace and tranquility in your bedroom. This is easier with a twin bedside cot, because you can keep the twins within reach while they nap.
Finding the right sleeping arrangement for your twins or triplets isn't easy at first. By testing different arrangements and following safe sleep guidelines, you can assist your twins to find their individual rhythms, and you will also have a more peaceful night.
Style
It is recommended that twins sleep independently to decrease the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). If you don't have the money to purchase two separate cribs or bassinets and a bedside cot might be a suitable alternative. A bedside crib allows you to keep your twins near to be able to comfort them and feed them in the late at night. They can also be easily lowered for playtime, and moved from one room to another, or even taken on a trip.
There are a lot of alternatives for bedsside cots, we prefer the Benzara Modular Dual Level Slatted Crib because it's a beautiful piece of furniture and designed to last for many years. It's also a great space-saver which makes it ideal for smaller homes. It's pricey, so you may not be able to afford that much on a single crib.
You can also choose a twin pack ‘n ' play that is a more affordable alternative. These models come with two bassinets so that your children can sleep together. They come with mesh walls that allow you to 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 is a great example of a pack 'n play that comes with two bassinets.
If you choose to separate your twins, it is possible to make use of a crib separator to keep them from suffocating one another. You can also buy cribs designed specifically for twins. These cribs are usually bigger and have more features.
The renowned attachment parenting school of thought however, allows twins to sleep in the same crib or bassinet provided they're not too big to allow it. This is known as co-bedding. Many parents opt to keep this method for the beginning of their lives. This could be a problem, due to the risks of accidental smothering. It is recommended to follow current medical advice and separate your twins once they are old enough.