The birth of twins, this is in addition to double joy, but also double chores, worries and questions. One such issue concerns the choice of crib for twins or two separate cots. If you have not yet decided what will be better for the kids and you, then we will try to help sort this matter out.
Crib Options
1. One double bed
Parents must immediately decide whether their children will sleep separately from each other from the first days of their life, or whether they can wait a while, because for the first three to four months the babies can sleep peacefully in one bed, they will not interfere with each other.
Quite common models are wide cots, the space in which is divided by a special roller. Such cradles are not recommended for families who live in small apartments. Wide cots take up a lot of space.
2. Cradles
Another cozy option for twins is a cradle. They take up little space, they can be rearranged almost anywhere. Newborn children will be more familiar and comfortable in a limited space, rather than in spacious beds. There are twin cradle options.
3. The classic version
Two free-standing or one twin bed from the first days of life remain the most universal solution. After all, after three to four months, children will still need two separate beds.
Will it be a double bed or two separate - the question is purely individual.
Two beds can always be moved, but two cannot be made from one twin bed.
However, if twin beds exist, then they have advantages:
- One twin bed is cheaper than two separate beds;
- A double bed takes up less space;
- Children calm down faster because Feel each other
- If there is a swing mechanism, it is easier for mother to simultaneously prepare two children for bed;
- Psychologically, parents are sure that sleeping in the same bed helps to form stronger bonds between the children.
Of the disadvantages:
- Many everyday situations force parents to remove their children from each other at a certain distance, or even in different rooms: the illness of one of the children, the mismatch of the daily regimen and so on;
- Twin beds can not be approached from all sides;
- If at night one baby is capricious, then this will wake the other;
- Such an interior item will subsequently be more difficult for someone to donate or sell.
4. Playpen bed for twins
On these models, the cradles for children are installed at an adjustable height. The basis of the beds is the playpen. When the kids grow up, the cradles are taken out. Matured children will need to purchase separate cots, and the playpen can be used for its intended purpose.
Numerous polls of experienced mothers show that this option has a lot more minuses than pluses.
- In the arena, the child does not have enough space, because most often they are shorter than standard beds.
- Almost all models do not have an adjustable bottom, which is close to the floor. And this has at least two obvious disadvantages: it’s not convenient for mom to get out and lay the children down; In winter, proximity to the floor is scary, as it can be very cold and drafts.
- The maneuver partition breaks very easily, and the children will be able to remove it very quickly, after which they will still be together.
- Psychological point: children should know where to play, and where to sleep. If the child plays in the same place where mom puts him to bed, then very soon he will get confused. Do not deprive your little ones of the ritual of preparing for sleep.
But it’s worth saying a few words in defense of the arenas: they are very convenient for visiting guests, as they add up and take up very little space.
Criterias of choice
When choosing any of the options should pay attention to the following characteristics:
- Safety and environmental friendliness
The bed should not have sharp corners and protruding decorative details. Only smooth rounded lines, reliable connections, accessories are hidden as much as possible. Plugs, small decorative elements and other accessories that can be removed, swallowed, stuck in the nose - are not allowed in children's furniture.
The surface of the wooden crib should be smoothly sanded and opened with a safe varnish. It is necessary not only to look at the product certificates, but also to stroke the bed, thus checking for roughness. Feel free to sniff it - there should be no technical smell. After all, your children will have to breathe this bed, as well as lick, bite and bite it.
Wood and MDF - the most popular because of their environmental friendliness.
Materials such as particleboard, fiberboard and plywood in the first crib are undesirable, since phenols, formaldehydes and other toxic substances that irritate the mucous membranes, respiratory system and central nervous system are used in their production. If the choice nevertheless fell on furniture with chipboard elements, be sure to pay attention to all the edges being tightly covered by the edge.
Plastic, metal - The most unpopular materials, although there are beds made from them. There are a lot of environmental issues to plastic, and metal, for all its safety, is not liked because of its heat-conducting functions. Therefore, such options are considered as forced.
Speaking about environmental friendliness and the absence of harmful substances, consider the quality factor. A budget wooden bed covered with cheap toxic varnish can potentially do more harm than a plastic bed from a reliable manufacturer. When buying, you should definitely require a quality certificate.
- Functionality and practicality
Here we include all the additional options - boxes for linen, the possibility of transformation into an adult bed, motion sickness mechanisms, castors, a two-level bottom, removable slats.
Castors definitely make your life easier: daily wet cleaning, moving around the apartment of a sleeping child.
Two-level bottom also good, but only at the beginning: it is more convenient to put a newborn child at a higher level, you do not have to bend so low. When the child becomes more active, the bottom will have to be lowered, i.e. We will lay a 4-pound child in a more comfortable position than a 10-pound child. The advantage is very conditional.
Removable rods They are offered so that the child can climb and crawl out of the crib on his own, but ideally, few of the children do this.
Linen boxes in theory this is good, but consider whether you want to have an extra dust bag next to the crib.
Parent Tips
The calm sleep of the kids is the dream of all moms and dads. Not all parents manage to lay twins. Sometimes babies cry, wake each other, one baby can prevent the other from falling asleep. If you encounter this problem, then use the following tips.
- If you bought a crib for twins, then the children need to be put into it every day at the same time. However, they should be a little sleepy. Gradually, the kids will get used to a certain schedule of wakefulness and sleep, and will easily fall asleep at the appointed time.
- In the first 2-3 weeks of twins can swaddle. This process has a calming effect on children. It helps some babies fall asleep. However, there are those children who do not like when they are swaddled. If the child is naughty, then parents should abandon this.
- Moms and dads should come up with a ritual of going to bed. For example, children can be bathed in warm water, and then put in a crib for twins and tell a story or sing a song. So the kids will get ready for bed. If mothers and fathers perform these actions daily, then children will soon learn to understand the signal that it is time to sleep.
- One child can be calm, and the second - tearful. Parents should first pay attention to the kid who is naughty. There is no need to be afraid that one child with his cries will wake another baby who is sleeping in the same crib. As a rule, newborns do not wake up because of the crying of their sisters or brothers.
- If one child wakes up because he wants to eat, then the second baby will have to be woken up. Both children should be fed at the same time. It’s not so simple, because mom will need time and patience. It is recommended to purchase a special pillow for feeding twins, which will greatly facilitate the process.
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In my opinion, two separate beds are the best option. They can be put at your discretion: if the situation requires it, then together. If necessary, then separately (and even in individual cases for different rooms).
From my own experience I can advise you on a bunk bed. It is very practical and comfortable, does not take up much space than a wide double crib. It is extremely convenient to put children to bed. The only drawback of such a bed is the risk that a child from the upper tier may fall and get injured. But in our experience there have been no such cases for 2 years of operation of such a bed.
It is a pity this article did not come across before. I bought a cradle for doubles, but I couldn’t make them fall asleep at the same time. That one is hungry, and the other is sleeping, then you put the first one to bed, and then the second wakes up and wakes the first. It was very difficult.