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 sleeping spaces for infants.
These guidelines are very similar to crib bedding standards. You can read more about these guidelines here. The most important features to consider when choosing the best bedside sleeper are Safety as well as comfort and convenience.
Safety
Many new parents and pregnant mothers have adopted cosleeping, also known as bed-sharing, in line with the American Academy of Pediatrics recommendation that infants should sleep in the same bedroom as their parents. The Academy states that room-sharing is safer than sleeping with an infant in the same bed since it reduces instances of Sudden Unexpected Death in Infancy (also known as SIDS). While the AAP disapproves of bed sharing however, it does recommend that sleeping with a partner be done on a separate sleep surface to reduce the risk of SIDS. The creation of the bedside crib was crucial for many families.
A bedside cosleeper is a crib-like sleeper that is attached to an adult bed frame. The bedside cosleeper enables parents to monitor their child, and it gives them the freedom of a bed while keeping their child close to them. The most reliable cosleepers are made with high-quality materials and adhere to strict safety standards. Look for the Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association (JPMA) stamp of approval, which demonstrates strict product testing and quality control, to ensure your child's safety cosleeping experience.
The security of a cosleeper for the bed depends on several aspects such as the way it is set up and connected to the parent's bed. It is crucial that the bedside cosleeper is secured to the mattress of the parent in a way that does not create gaps and spaces, in which the infant may be trapped. This could result in a suffocation risk. It is essential that the attachment system of a bedside sleeper be examined to determine if it is able to withstand the forces that may be applied in use, such as a parent rolling onto and off the sleeper, or 25-pound. horizontal force applied to the attachment system or corners of the bedside cosleeper.
The voluntary standard for bedside cribs incorporates, by reference to the federal consumer product safety standards for bassinets (16 CFR part 1218) which includes the requirements for performance for closed fabric openings. The mandatory requirements of the standard also address head and neck dangers of entrapment by requiring that, following the application and release of a 50-lb. The standard also states that after the application and release of 50 pounds. is not allowed to be created. ASTM's electronic Reading Room offers read-only versions of the standard.
Convenience
Many parents are reluctant to cosleep because they are afraid of the risk of suffocation, or SIDS or because it's an "Ferberization" that forces children to be in a room by themselves. However, anthropologists have observed for a long time that many primates, mammals and people from non-Western cultures cosleep regularly. This may be because infants are soothed by the familiar voice of their mother and it also helps to practice self-soothing.
The best bedside sleepers have a clever design that attaches to the sides of any mattress and pivots so that you can easily access it for diaper changes or feedings during the middle of the night. Find one with feet that can be adjusted to retract to accommodate various mattress heights and a large storage space for all of your baby's needs.
Choose a bedside crib that fits the standard crib bedding, so that it is safe to use as your child grows. Look for bedside cot wooden that is convertible and can be used as a play area, or a deeper bassinet. It will last for a long time.
Portability
A bedside cosleeper with wheels or a lightweight base is much easier to move than one with a bulky wooden frame or base. The babybay bedside sleeping system, HALO bassiNest essencetia and Snoo Smart Sleeper are all portable. They come with feet that can be adjusted that retract to fit platforms and legs that fold inward to provide maximum access 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 a excellent option that can be adjusted in 1" increments to fit most adult beds and can also serve as an portable bassinet. It also swivels to allow easy access to your baby to comfort your baby, nurse or monitor her throughout the night.