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Twin Peas
Judy Bildner, clinical nurse specialist and case manager for the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, says one question families of multiples often ask is, "Why can't my babies sleep together while they're in the hospital?" That was just the question Pam and Scott Breid of Columbia asked prior to the birth of their twins, Meagan and Jacob, in early 1998. Pam had read about the virtues of "twinning," or "co-bedding," in Twins magazine and planned to co-bed her babies at home. "I wanted them to get used to each other again since they would be sleeping together at home," Pam explains. "And I'd read that twins do better if they're together." Babies who are co-bedded are lightly swaddled together in the same blanket in a position that mimics their position in utero, either face to face or spooning one another. Though fairly common in other countries, especially those in Europe, co-bedding is a fairly new practice in the United States. Judy and the nurses in the NICU had heard of co-bedding multiples and even researched the concept prior to the Breid's request. What they learned was that the benefits of co-bedding far outweighed any risk. While infants should remain separated until stable, infection is not cause for major concern. On the other hand, research indicates that co-bedded infants tend to have better feeding patterns and thus develop at a faster rate. And, because they help regulate each others' breathing, these infants also present improvements in respiratory control and heart rate. Many premature babies' systems don't regulate properly due to underdeveloped lungs, and they sometimes stop breathing. A sibling's movement can help stimulate the other to breath if one is experiencing such breathing problems. As a result of this stimulation, co-bedded babies spend less time on oxygen. As one nurse is assigned to the care of each set of multiples, consistency of care and facilitated communication with the family are additional pluses. "The overall results are a decreased length of stay and better, more efficient and cost-effective care," Judy says. A week and a half after their arrival - with permission from the attending - the Breid twins were placed together in one of the unit's pre-existing beds, making them the first multiples at Children's Hospital to be co-bedded. Pam and Scott, whose twins showed immediate improvement after being placed in the same crib, were just glad their wishes were honored. "We encourage parents to be involved in their child's plan of care," Judy says. "Parents really need to be a part of the care giving from the beginning, and if they feel strongly about co-bedding, then we'll provide them with that option." |
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Just as their babies shared the same womb, parents of multiples often want their infants to share the same crib after they leave the hospital. But increasingly, parents want to take the bonding process a step further. 
