Bedside Cosleeper
A bedside cosleeper is a bassinet which connects to the side of your adult bed. It's safe, as long as you comply with the CSPC safety guidelines for infant sleeping spaces.
These guidelines are similar to crib bedding standards. Learn more about the guidelines here. The most important aspects to consider when selecting the best bedside sleeper are Safety Comfort, Convenience, and Safety.
Safety
In line with the American Academy of Pediatrics' recommendation that infants are in the same room as their parents cosleeping (a practice that is also known as bed-sharing) has become popular among many expecting and new parents. The Academy recommends that room-sharing with a baby bedside crib is more secure than sleeping in the same bed as parents, as it reduces the chance of Sudden Unexpected Infant Death (SIDS). While the AAP does not recommend bed sharing but does recommend that co-sleeping be done on a separate sleeping surface to minimize the risk of SIDS. The development of the bedside crib was important for a number of families.
A bedside cosleeper attaches to a bed frame for adults. It's a crib like sleeper. The bedside crib and travel cot cosleeper allows parents to keep an eye on their baby and gives them the freedom to sleep in their own bed. The top cosleepers are constructed with top-quality materials and adhere to strict safety standards. Check cot for bedside the Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association (JPMA) stamp of approval, which indicates rigorous product testing and quality control, to ensure your child's safety cosleeping experience.
The safety of a cosleeper is dependent on several factors. It is dependent on how it's set up and secured onto the parent's mattress. It is crucial that the bedside cosleeper be attached to the parent's mattress in a way that does not create gaps and spaces, in which an infant could become trapped. This could result in the risk of suffocation. It is crucial that the attachment system of a bedside sleeper be tested to verify it is able to withstand the forces that may be applied in use, such as the parent rolling on and off the sleeper, or a 25-lb. The attachment system or the corners on the bedside cosleeper should be exposed to the horizontal force.
The standard that is voluntary for bedside sleepers includes by reference to the federal consumer safety standard for products such as bassinets and cradles (16 CFR part 1218), which includes requirements for performance for enclosed openings made of fabric. The standard's requirements for mandatory compliance deal with the risk of head and neck traps by requiring after the application and release the 50-lb. horizontal force in the vicinity of the attachment systems and corners of the bedside sleeping device, an opening greater than 1.0 in. is not allowed to be created. ASTM's electronic Reading Room offers read-only versions of the standard.
Convenience
Many parents avoid cosleeping because they fear being suffocated or SIDS or because it's a "Ferberization" which requires children to sleep alone. Anthropologists have noticed for a long time that many mammals, primates and people from non-Western cultures cosleep often. It could be because infants are comforted by the familiar voice of their mother, and it may also help them learn to self-soothe.
The best bedside sleepers feature a clever design that attaches on the side of any mattress and swivels so you can access it easily for diaper changes or feedings in the middle of the night. Look for one with adjustable feet that retract to accommodate different mattress sizes and a huge storage space for all of your baby's necessities.
Pick a wooden bedside cot crib that can fit in with standard crib bedding to be used in a safe manner as your child grows. Consider a model that is convertible and can be used as a play area, or a deeper bassinet. It will last for many years.
Portability
Depending on the size of your bedroom a bedside cosleeper with wheels and/or a light base could be easier to move around the house than one with a heavy wood frame or substantial base. The babybay Bedside sleeper, HALO BassiNest Essentia and Snoo Smart Sleeper are all equipped with excellent portability features. Adjustable feet that retract to accommodate platforms and the legs fold inward to ensure maximum proximity to the mattress and a 100% mesh sidewalls that let airflow without fabric covering the baby's nose or mouth.
The Arm's Reach ClearVue is an excellent option. It adjusts in 1" increments and can be used as a bassinet, or a portable bed. It also rotates, allowing for quick access to baby so you can comfort and nurse her or check on her during the night.