A Bedside Cot For Twins
If space is an issue parents often opt to co-bed twins. This is in line medical recommendations, and can help in calming and harmony during sleep.
However, it's important to follow the safe sleeping guidelines to lower the chance of SIDS. This includes keeping your infants in a bassinet, cot or crib near you.
Safety
The joy of welcoming two babies into the world is an unforgettable experience but also brings a lot of responsibility and choices to make, especially when it comes to their sleeping. Newborn twins need lots of rest in order to thrive and establishing secure sleep habits is crucial for their development. However, this can be a problem for many parents, especially when they have a limited space or if their children are premature or small in weight and will need to co-sleep at times. A bedside cot can be a great solution.
A bedside cot, also known as an cot that resembles a bassinet, is an innovative product that is attached to one side of the mattress. It allows you to carry your infant towards you during the night to feed him or to soothe him to sleep if he's crying. There are many bedside cots available, in a range of styles and prices. Some are designed to fold up neatly away, making them easy to store and take on vacation.
The most important feature of the bedside cot is that it is completely separate from your sleeping space, keeping the possibility of accidental suffocation or overheating to an absolute minimum. The Lullaby Trust recommends that your baby sleeps with you in the same room for the first six months however, it is not recommended to share a bed due to the possibility of SIDS. Props such as pillows, blankets wrapped up or towels are not recommended as they could be a danger to the baby.
It is also important that the cot you choose meets all the required safety standards. Check for any weak or holes, and ensure that it's not coated with lead paint. Lead can be toxic to babies. Check for a label that declares it meets the applicable British or European safety standard.
Some cots come with an option to add a riser that can be added to create a slight slope in the crib to help children with reflux. It is important to do this with care and under the supervision of a physician or health care expert to avoid any issues.
User-Friendliness
To reduce the chance of SIDS it is recommended to adhere to the safe sleeping guidelines. Experts suggest that newborns rest on their backs in a crib or bassinet without pillows, blankets, or toys. This allows them to breathe more easily and self-settle so that they can fall asleep without the assistance of a parent or caregiver.
However, many parents find it difficult to adhere to the recommended sleep arrangements for infants and newborns. This is especially true for families with multiple children who may not have the space or time required to create 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 putting two infants into the same bassinet or crib at home. It lets you keep your twins close as they grow and allows you to easily nurse them or calm them down. It also allows you to move your babies into a larger crib or bed later as they develop.
Studies have proven that twins who are cobedded have better sleep patterns and synchronization than those who sleep separately. This is due to the feeling of connection they experienced when they were babies, which helps them regulate body temperature and sleep cycles.
While experts encourage parents to co-bend their twins in the first few months but they also warn parents that it's not a sane practice. It increases the risk of strangulation or suffocation, and it's not appropriate for parents who drink alcohol, smoke cigarettes or are taking medications that affect their judgment. The twins being placed in adult beds can also put them at risk of falls and injuries and also exposed to airborne toxins.
The Chicco Next2Me twin sleeper is a great option for co-sleeping in bed and can be used from 6 months to birth and has a better air circulation to keep your infants at ease. It has a transparent divider and mesh insert that lets the twins communicate with each other while being safe and separate. It folds flat for storage and travel and is easy to take with you on your travels.
Convenience
If your twins are still young, it might be tempting to invite them into your bed in hopes that they will sleep better. However, co-sleeping could put your twins at risk of strangulation, suffocation and entrapment, especially if they are premature or have low birth weights.
In fact, the AAP recommends that twins be slept in their own cribs or bassinets -- and ideally in their separate rooms for at most six months. If your twins aren't sleeping well in their cots, then you may consider an cot for twins that is bedside. These bassinets keep your twin babies close and comfortable, but separated by a divider that can easily be removed when the twins have outgrown it.
You can experiment to find the most effective way to arrange your twins. For instance, you could place them side by side in the cot, or you can try placing them diagonally, according to studies that have shown that this improves arousal levels and may improve overall sleep duration.
Swaddling twins can aid in relaxation and self-soothing. The AAP does not recommend swaddling but it helps your twins feel secure when they are asleep. However, you should stop swaddling once your twins begin to roll over or they begin to show signs of reaching their arms toward one another.
It can be difficult to get your twins to lie down together, but it's worth it. It will help you with their feeding schedules and will also give you peace and quiet in the bedroom. This is easier with a twin bedside cot, since you can easily keep both babies within arm's reach while they nap.
If you have triplets or twins it's not a secret that finding the ideal sleeping arrangement can be a challenge at first. However, by experimenting with various configurations and adhering to the safe sleeping guidelines, your twins will eventually develop their own rhythms, and you'll get more restful nights as well.
Style
It's recommended that twins sleep separately to reduce the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). If you don't want to buy two bassinets or cribs or a bedside cot, then a bedside crib might be a suitable option. A bedside cot allows you to keep your twins near to pick them up for feedings during the night and keep them warm throughout the night. travel cot bedside crib to put down for playtime, and can be moved from room to room, or even taken on trips.
While there are plenty of options for bedsside cots we like the Benzara Modular Dual Level Slatted Crib because it's well-constructed and designed to last for years. It's also extremely space-saving which makes it perfect for smaller homes. It's costly, however it's not cheap, so you might not want to spend the amount for one crib.
You can also opt for a twin pack ‘n ' play which is a less expensive alternative. These models come with two bassinet inserts, so your children can sleep together. These models have mesh walls that let you see 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 great example of a pack 'n play that has double bassinets.
If you do choose to separate your twins, you can use a crib separator to keep them from accidentally suffocating another. You can also purchase cribs that are specifically designed for twins. These cribs are usually larger and have more features.
According to the well-known attachment parenting theory twins can be in the same crib or bassinet as long as they are not too small. Co-bedding is what it's called, and many parents continue to do it during the first few weeks of their child's existence. bedside cot used can be problematic because of the possibility of accidental smothering. Therefore, it's recommended to stick with the current medical guidelines for separation of your twins as soon as they're old enough.