Congrats, you’re having twins! Once that has sunk in, most parents think, “oh wow, WE’RE HAVING TWINS!!” Welcome to the special world of double.
You may be thinking, “do I need to buy 2 infant car seats”, followed by, “where do they sleep?” And that’s just the start of the buying spree you’re about to go on.
We understand, there’s little time to spend researching, hunting, comparing, and then buying all the furniture, gear, accessories you’ll need to survive. This is why we made this twin bassinet short list for you.
In one place, in 10 minutes, you can make a great decision and get the bassinet you need. Now you can move on to the 50 other things you need to get done today!
Our Top Picks
Table of Contents
For those that just want to get straight to the point. Here are our winners.
Is Bassinet Better Than Crib?
For a single newborn baby, there is a choice of a crib vs bassinet. Both have their pros and cons. But for twins, I highly recommend spending the money to put your twins in a bassinet first, and later on a Crib for Twins.
Why? Bassinets are smaller. With twins, for safety sake, you may want both newborns close to your bed. A crib would just be too big for that.
The Best Bassinet For Twins
The obvious answer is to just buy two bassinets. But for cost savings and convenience, I recommend a double bassinet. That is a single bassinet than can safely hold both newborns.
It’s a great space saver and oftentimes reduces the cost in half. So for our review, we’re only listing true twin bassinet.
HALO BassiNest Twin Sleeper Bassinet
The Halo BassiNest is our Editors Choice award winner. It’s the most expensive twin bassinet on our list, but none of the others even come close to the features that this one offers.
First and foremost, it can be placed right next to the bed so mom has easy visibility and access to her babies without getting out of bed. Of course you don’t have to place it next to the bed, but that is an ideal place for most mothers.
It looks different from any other twin bassinet on the market. Unique features that make this an Editors Choice:
- Height Adjustable: The bassinet can be adjusted to be level with most any bed
- Visibility: The mesh wall is see thru so you can see your babies while your head remains on the pillow
- Swivels: 360 degree rotation allows you to get close to the baby quickly and easily
- Access: It has a patented lowering bedside wall that allows you to get to reach babies easily
- Soothing System: Includes a nightlight, two levels of vibration, three lullabies, three soothing sounds, and a back-to-bed reminder, with 30 minute auto shut off
- Mattress: It’s included, so that’s part of the reason for a higher price
- Storage: Storage pockets on the side so you can keep the essentials nearby and never have to get out of bed to soothe the little ones.
Baby Trend Nursery Center Twin Bassinet Review
If you’re short on space with twins, the Baby Trend Nursery Center is ideal.
Let’s be honest. If you’ve decided to take the twin bassinet option, the product that many parents of multiples prefer is the Graco Pack and Play (reviewed below).
However, it would also be fair to say that this Baby Trend product has better features. Let’s start with the bassinets themselves.
With the Baby Trend, you get two “Rock-a-bye” bassinets with handles. That allows you to lift them out of the play yard and take them with you around the house.
In comparison, the Graco Bassinets are only removed when your twins outgrow them. As a result, the fabric is not as thick.
Like the Graco, you can wheel the bassinets from room to room and there is a brake, too. Also similar to the Graco, you can fold up the play yard fairly easily and put it into the included travel bag.
You also get a free changing table, an organizer for nappies and wipes and two sound machines.
The sound machines are really the best part of the deal. I say this because they have a night light and a vibrational setting, too. The rocking action of the bassinets is perhaps not that impressive (though with newborn infants that’s probably a good thing!) but the vibrational setting is great for soothing and getting them off to sleep.
You do need to know that there isn’t a mattress or bassinet sheet with the Nursery Center. There is a padded and firm mat instead.
Spit Ups can be dealt with by wiping down the fabric, or hand-washing. Some parents do use a machine’s “Hand Wash” setting, but it isn’t officially recommended!
The bassinets are also “officially” good for up to 4-months, or 15lbs (whatever comes first). A lot of parents will transition them directly into a crib after a couple of months, or use the play yard.
The only downside to this product is really the price ! The Graco Pack and Play for twins are usually available for cheaper. If the added freebies and being able to carry the bassinets appeal to you, it’s probably worth the premium.
Pros
- Bassinets are sturdy in the play yard
- Bassinets can be taken out & put back in
- Can wipe down & hand wash
- Has wheels and a brake
- One hand locking mechanism
- Includes changing table, organizer & two sound machines
Cons
- Usually more expensive than Graco’s twin play yard
Joovy Room2 Twin Nursery Center Review
One criticism of the “Pack ‘n Play” below, is that it’s not actually sturdy enough to hold two babies. Parents report that it bows in the middle after extended use. A well-made alternative is the Joovy Room2. With 10 square feet of room, it’ll hold two babies quite comfortably, and is quite a bit bigger than the Pack n Play.
Another advantage to the Room2 is there is not a weight limit for using it. Joovy say you can keep on using it until your children are 35″ tall – just under 3 feet tall. So you’ll be able to use it for longer than the Pack ‘n Play as well.
Safety is always a big issue with baby products and the Joovy Room2 is very sturdy (so pets won’t be able to knock it over) and there’s great visibility with no blind spots.
I really like the fact Joovy have stood behind their product with a 2 – year warranty. I had a cheap playard that broke after only a few times of folding it up and it was out of warranty.
A downside to this playard is you need to purchase a mattress. It does come with a fitted sheet but it is not as “Baby Ready” as the Pack ‘n Play.
Pros
- Very Large – 10 square feet of room
- Well Made – Heavy & sturdy
- Great visibility
- No Weight Limit – Use up to 35″ / just under 3′
- 2 Year Warranty – Longer than the “Pack and Play”
Cons
- Need to purchase extra mattress
Graco Pack ‘n Play Playard Twin Bassinet Review
The Graco Pack ‘n Play is America’s best-selling Playard, and their twin bassinet has been a bit hit with parents of multiples. Some parents might prefer bassinets before moving twins to their own cribs. The obvious advantage with the double bassinet is it saves a lot of space. This means you can have your little ones close to you in your bedroom. It also has wheels, so you can move it from room to room easily.
An important point to note is you can not use the playard and the twin bassinet at the same time. You have to actually remove a few screws so you can’t have the best of both worlds. What this does mean is that once the twins become too big for their bassinets (3 – 6 months) you will still be able to use the playard. So you’ll still get some use out of it down the road.
Another advantage of the Graco Twin Bassinet is its height. After carrying twins (and perhaps a c-section) the last thing you need is lifting not one but two babies from close to the floor. A lot of crib designs don’t take our poor backs into account!
Overall, the feedback for Graco’s Twin Bassinet has been overwhelmingly positive. It’s generally regarded as “The Best Twin Bassinet On the Market”. It’s not without its critics, though.
A few parents report that it sags in the middle, which is concerning. Others say it doesn’t! Other negative comments include the colors are drab and the crib sheet is hard to take off.
For the price, I think the Graco Twin Bassinet is the best double bassinet for the money. The fact that it turns into a playpen means it will certainly get used one way or another.
Pros
- Side-by-side sleeper
- Converts to a playard
- Small and space saving
- Easy to lift twins in and out
- Great Price
Cons
- Can’t use playard at same time
- Crib sheet hard to remove
Previous Winners
Arms Reach Ideal CoSleeper Review
The Arms Reach Cosleeper is popular among parents of multiples. It’s large enough (providing you get the model pictured and not the “mini”) to place both babies inside.
Another option some parents prefer is putting one either side of the bed. Of course, this will all depend on how much space you have, whether the little ones like it and how willing your partner is to move around during the night.
This cosleeper is great if you like the idea of having your twins close enough so you can hear them breathe and move. This means you can feed them when you first notice the cues and there’s less chance of waking your partner.
Another advantage with this kind of cosleeper is it can be moved from room to room. So you can take it into the living room for a nap whenever you want.
Like many bassinets, the downside if the limited use you’ll get out of it. The weight limit is 30lbs – combined. This means that when your twins hit 15lbs it’ll be time to move them. This is usually around 4 – 6 months.
On the plus side, the cosleeper can be used as a playard as well. There is a removable and washable liner which really helps keep it looking as good as new. This will help with the resell value of the cosleeper if you want to sell it afterward.
Pros
- Can keep your baby just 12″ away
- Removable & washable liner
- Can move it between rooms
- Converts into a Pack ‘n Play
Cons
- Only up to 30 lbs (combined)
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can the twins sleep in the bed with mom and/or dad in a bed-sharing arrangement?
Of course they can, but it isn’t recommended. The main dangers are accidental smothering and suffocation.
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Is Co-Bedding OK with twins?
Not considering the emotional attachment aspect of this question, the main reason to separate the twins while sleeping is they pose a smothering risk to one another.
Much like bed-sharing with parents, the same dangers emerge from each of the twins.
So you can do it, no one’s stopping you, but it’s not recommended. -
Can’t I Just Put Them In Two Bassinets?
Sure, that is an option. It works best when each parent is responsible for one newborn, splitting the newborns apart by a bed width. Some experts say newborn twins should stay within arms reach of each other for emotional attachment reasons.
I’m no expert on this subject, but it makes sense to me. When in doubt, I’d just buy a twin bassinet and not worry about any lifelong mental issue’s I may have caused to save a buck. -
Can’t I Just Put Them In A Crib For Twins?
Yes, that is an option if you’re OK with having them further than arms reach from your bed. Most homes don’t have the space to put something as large as a crib for twins next to the bed. Then there’s also a lot of features you’ll miss out on that twin bassinets like the HALO BassiNest offer.
In my opinion, a twin bassinet is the ideal sleeping solution for twins compared to a mini crib for twins. -
How Long Can They Stay In A Twin Bassinet?
You’ll have to follow the manufacturer’s guidelines. But most allow 5-6 months in age or up to 20 – 25 lbs each. Please check the manufacturer’s recommendations to be certain.
Related Reading
- The Best 5 Cribs for Small Spaces
- 10 Things I Wish I Knew Before Having Twins
- The Best Baby Pillow for Flat Head Syndrome
- What’s The Best Nursery Glider
- Ten Money Saving Tips when Expecting Twins
- The Best Swaddle Blankets
- Can a Newborn Sleep Too Much?
- 8 Tips for SIDS Prevention
- 12 tips to help prepare for a newborn
Summary
While there are other options for sleeping arrangements for your newborn twins, there’s nothing safer nor more emotionally supportive than a bassinet for twins. I highly recommend them. Our winners are repeated below.