A Bedside Cot For Twins
Many parents choose to co-bed their twins, especially if space is limited. This is in the current guidelines of medical professionals and can aid in sleep synchrony and soothing.
To minimize the risk, it's important to follow the safe sleeping guidelines. This includes keeping your babies in a bassinet, cot or crib near you.
Safety
Being the first to welcome two children into the world is a wonderful moment, but it also carries many responsibilities and choices to make particularly when it comes to their sleep. To ensure that newborn twins are healthy, it is important to establish safe sleep habits. However, this can be a challenge for parents of all ages, particularly when they have a limited space or if their babies are preterm or have small in weight and will require co-sleeping in some instances. Fortunately the bedside cot can be helpful.
A bedside cot is a unique bassinet-style cot that is attached to the mattress's side and lets you lift the baby out towards you for feedings at night or when they're crying, to help them go to sleep. Bedside cots come in a variety of styles and prices. Some are designed to fold easily away, making them simple to store or take with you on holiday.
The most important aspect of a bedside cot is the fact that it is clearly separate from your sleeping space, keeping the risk of overheating or suffocation to a minimum. The Lullaby Trust recommends that your baby sleeps 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. Props such as pillows, blankets rolled up or towels aren't suggested as they could become a tangle hazard for the baby.
It is also crucial that the cot you pick has all the safety standards. Make sure it is free of holes or weak points, and that it's not coated with something that is dangerous - like lead paint, as it can be toxic for babies. Look for a label that says it is compliant with the appropriate British or European safety standard.
Some cots come with an optional riser that can be added in order to create a slight angle within the crib for babies suffering from reflux. It is essential to do this with care and under the guidance of a GP or health professional in order to avoid any issues.
Easy of Use
Although the hospital may have allowed twins to sleep together at home, it's best to follow the safe sleeping guidelines for infants in order to decrease your babies' risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). Experts recommend newborns sleep on their backs, in a bassinet or crib without pillows, blankets or toys. This will allow them to breathe more easily and relax, allowing them to fall asleep without the assistance of a caregiver or parent.
Many parents find it difficult to stick to the recommended sleep arrangements for infants and newborns. This is particularly true for families with multiple children, who may not have enough space or time to create separate sleeping areas. In addition, socioeconomic factors may influence the kinds of sleeping arrangements that are used for twins and babies.
A twin bedside cot is a more secure and more convenient option than putting two babies in the crib at the same time at home. It lets you keep your twins close by while they're young and allows you to easily nurse them or calm them down. It also gives you the flexibility to allow your baby to move into a larger crib or bed later as they grow.
Studies have proven that twins who cohabit experience better sleep pattern synchrony than those who sleep separately. This is because they mimic the feeling of connection they felt in the womb which helps them to regulate body temperature and sleep cycles.
Although experts recommend parents co-bend their twins in the first few months but they also warn parents that it's not a sane practice. It can increase the likelihood of strangulation or suffocation and it's not appropriate for parents who drink alcohol or smoke, or use medications that alter their judgment. Inviting the twins to adult beds can also expose them to falls and injuries, as well as being exposed to airborne toxins.
The Chicco Next2Me twin sleeper is a great option for co-sleeping at night and can be used from 6 months to birth, with enhanced air circulation to keep your babies at ease. It has a transparent divide with a mesh inset so the twins can feel and see each other, but they're still separated by the barrier. It can be folded down for travel and storage.
Convenience
If your twins are young, it might be tempting to bring them into your bed in the hope that they'll sleep better. However, co-sleeping puts your twins at risk of suffocation, strangulation and entrapment, especially when they are premature or have low birth weights.
In fact the AAP recommends that twins sleep in their own cribs or bassinets which should be in their own rooms for at least six months. However, if you have twins who do not appear to be sleeping well in their own separate cots, you can consider a bedside cot for twins. These bassinets allow you to keep your twins together, however, they are separated by a divider. Once your twins are old enough to be able to remove the divider, they can be removed easily.
There are many different ways to set up your twins in a bedside cot, and you can experiment with the one that works best for your twins. For Cots For Tots , you can place them side-by-side in the cot, or place them diagonally, as some studies have found this can help with arousal and can increase sleep duration.
Swaddling twins can also help them relax and self-soothe. While swaddling isn't a recommendation by the AAP but it can help your twins to feel safe when they're asleep. However you should stop swaddling once your twins begin rolling over or begin to show signs of reaching their arms toward one another.
The process of getting your twins to sleep at the same time isn't easy however it's worth trying to achieve this since it can help with their feeding schedules and let you enjoy peace and quiet in your own bedroom. A bedside cot for twins could help you accomplish, since you can keep both babies away from each other while they sleep, and also check them in the middle of the night.
Whether you have twins or triplets it's not a secret that finding the ideal sleeping arrangement can be a challenge initially. By trying out different configurations, and following safe sleep guidelines will aid your twins in finding their individual rhythms. You will also get more restful night.
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 separate cribs or bassinets and a bedside cot could be a great alternative. A bedside cot lets you keep your twins near so that you can take them out for feedings at night and comfort them throughout the night. They can also be easily dismantled to playtime, and moved from one room another or even taken on a trip.
While there are plenty of alternatives for bedsside cots, we prefer the Benzara Modular Dual Level Slatted Crib because it's beautifully constructed and built to last for a long time. It is also very space-saving and is ideal for smaller homes. It's expensive, however it's expensive, so you won't need to spend that much on just one crib.
If you're looking for a less expensive alternative, consider a twin pack 'n play. These models come with two bassinets, which means that your babies can sleep together. They have mesh walls, so you can see your baby. They can be used by twins from birth until they outgrow 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 that are specifically designed for twins. They are typically larger and come with more features than regular cribs, including side-by-side sleeping areas and storage spaces.
The renowned attachment parenting school of thought however, allows twins to share the same crib or bassinet provided they're small enough for it. Co-bedding is the term used to describe it and a lot of parents continue to do it during the first few weeks of their child's existence. This can be problematic because of the possibility of accidental smothering. So, it's best to adhere to the current medical recommendations of segregating your twins as early as they're old enough.