Cobedding twins and multiples in NNUs

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Specializes in NICU and neonatal transport.

Hi all, I posted about this a few years ago while I was doing my nurse training (seems like 10years ago!) but now I'm in a position to implement a trial in my own regional NNU.

Does anyone cobed thier twins/multiples and if so, what are your guidelines?

Do you have a written policy?

What is the general consensus from staff and parents?

I would be so grateful for any help!

Can't believe they are trusting little ol' me to do a trial on the whole unit (officially 48 cots but we all know that means nearer to 60!!)

xxx

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Specializes in nursery, L and D.

Hi, we co-bed our twins, sometimes. We don't do anything over twins. We don't have a written policy. Some nurses will do it and some won't. Some parents like it and some don't. Most do, IMO. Guess I'm not being much help, lol. I, personally, always co-bed my twins. They seem to rest better and aren't as fussy.

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We cobed once babies are in open crib if we have parent's permission. I have never seen a parent refuse it though. If there are any signs of illness, the babies are immediately seperated. I've cobedded twins, triplets, and even quadruplets

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We do it when they're ready for an open crib. Just cobedded twins tonight, in fact.

Interestingly, some NICU's in our area do not support cobedding, often citing safety/infection concerns.

Handbook of Neonatal Intensive Care by Merenstein and Gardner (widely considered the "NICU bible" in the US) says that support for cobedding is mainly anecdotal, with little research to back it or refute it. They do cite one recent study that showed a decrease in apneic episodes, but it only involved seven sets of twins.

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Specializes in NICU, PICU, educator.

Actually, the Academy of Peds put out a statement in the last 6months that they no longer are advocating co-bedding in the hospital. We no longer allow this practice...most parents will mimic what they see in the hospital.

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Specializes in Neonatal ICU (Cardiothoracic).

We cobed multiples when they are big enough to be put in an open crib. We co-bed twins and triplets all the time. It's so cute how they all wiggle close to each other, then fall asleep..!

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Specializes in NICU and neonatal transport.

Well I guess that's why I'm doing a trial then!

Thanks for your responses. I'm really going to have to get a move on and actually start my research!

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Specializes in pure and simple psych.

Please share what you find.

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Actually, the Academy of Peds put out a statement in the last 6months that they no longer are advocating co-bedding in the hospital. We no longer allow this practice...most parents will mimic what they see in the hospital.

I have heard this in a big NICU near ours...we do still practice...do you know the article?

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