Bedside Cosleeper
A bedside cosleeper is a bassinet that connects to the side of your adult bed. It's safe as long as you comply with the CSPC safety guidelines for infant sleep spaces.
These guidelines are similar to crib bedding standards. You can learn more about these guidelines here. The most important factors to take into consideration when selecting the best bedside sleeper are Safety as well as comfort and convenience.
Safety
Many new parents and pregnant mothers have adopted cosleeping or bed-sharing, as per the American Academy of Pediatrics recommendation that infants should sleep in the same room as their parents. The Academy states that room-sharing is more secure than sleeping with a baby in the same bed because it reduces instances of Sudden Unexpected Death in Infants, or SIDS. While the AAP discourages bed-sharing, it does recommend that cosleeping be done on a separate sleep surface to minimize the risk of SIDS. The development of the bedside crib was crucial for many families.
A bedside cosleeper attaches to a bed frame designed for adults. It's an equivalent of a crib-style sleeper. The bedside cosleeper lets parents keep an eye on their baby and allows the baby the ability to sleep in their own bed. The most reliable cosleepers meet strict safety standards and are constructed with sturdy, high-quality materials. Be sure to look for the Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association (JPMA) stamp of approval, which demonstrates rigorous testing of the product and quality control, to ensure your child's secure cosleeping experience.
The safety of a bedside cosleeper depends on several aspects that include the manner in which it is put up and connected to the parent's bed. If the bedside cosleeper is not connected to the bed of the parent in a manner that eliminates the gaps and openings where an infant could be trapped, it could create the risk of suffocation. It is crucial that the attachment system for the bedside cot sale sleeper is tested to ensure that it can withstand any forces that are imposed during use, for example the parent rolling on and off the sleeper. The attachment system or corners on the bedside cosleeper should be subjected to the horizontal force.
The standard for bedside beds incorporates by reference the federal consumer safety standard for products such as bassinets and cradles (16 CFR part 1218) and includes performance requirements for enclosed openings made of fabric. The standard's requirements for mandatory compliance tackle the issue of neck and head imprisonment by requiring that after the application, release 50 lbs. horizontal force at the attachment systems and at the corners of the bedside sleeper an opening greater than 1.0 in. must not be created. Only read-only copies of the standard can be found at ASTM's electronic Reading Room.
Convenience
While many parents have avoided cosleeping due to fear of suffocation SIDS or the "Ferberization" process that forces children to sleep alone, anthropologists have long noted that mammals and primates, as well as people who live in non-Western societies, have regularly coslept. This is due to the fact that babies are soothed when they hear their mother's voice, and can also learn to self-soothe.
The best bedside sleepers feature an innovative design that is attached to the sides of any bed and pivots to allow easy access for feedings during the night or diaper changes. Find one with feet that are adjustable and retract to accommodate different mattress sizes, and a big storage compartment for all the necessities cot for bedside your baby.
Choose a bedside crib that turns into cot sleeper that fits standard crib bedding, so it's safe to use as your child grows. You might also consider an adjustable model that can transform into a play yard or deeper bassinet for a long time of use, and folds easily to travel.
Portability
Based on the dimensions of your bedroom, a bedside sleeping system with wheels and/or a lightweight base may be easier to move around the house than one with frames made of wood or a substantial base. The babybay bedside crib to cot sleeper, HALO bassiNest essencetia, and Snoo Smart Sleeper are all movable. They have adjustable feet that retract to accommodate platform mattresses and legs that fold inward so that they are in close proximity to the mattress; and 100 mesh sidewalls that allow ventilation without covering the baby's mouth or nose.
The Arm's Reach Clear-Vue is another popular option that adjusts in 1" increments to fit in most adult beds and can also function as an portable bassinet. It also swivels, allowing the baby to be easily accessible so that you can soothe, nurse or check on her at night.