Bedside Cosleeper
A bedside cosleeper is a bassinet which connects to the side of your adult bed. It's safe, so long as you follow the CSPC safety guidelines for sleeping spaces for infants.
These guidelines are similar to crib bedding standards. Learn more about the guidelines here. When selecting a bedside sleep device, safety, comfort, and convenience are the most important aspects to take into consideration.
Safety
Many new parents and expecting mothers have embraced cosleeping which is also known as bed-sharing, as per the American Academy of Pediatrics recommendation that infants should sleep in the same bedroom as their parents. twin bedside cot says that sharing rooms is safer than sleeping with a baby in the same bed because it reduces instances of Sudden Unexpected Death in Infants, or SIDS. The AAP does not recommend bed-sharing however it does recommend that co-sleeping on an individual sleeping surface is a good option to reduce the risk of SIDS. The development of the bedside crib was crucial for a number of families.
A bedside cosleeper is attached to a bed frame that is suitable for adults. It is an equivalent of a crib-style sleeper. The bedside cosleeper lets parents monitor the baby, and also gives them the freedom to sleep in their own bed. The most reliable cosleepers are made using high-quality materials and adhere to strict safety standards. Be sure to look for the Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association (JPMA) stamp of approval, which confirms rigorous testing of the product and quality controls, to ensure your child's secure cosleeping experience.
The safety of a crib is dependent on several factors. This includes how it's set up and secured onto the mattress of the parent. It is essential that the bedside cosleeper is connected to the mattress of the parent in a way that does not create gaps and spaces, where an infant could become trapped. This could pose a suffocation risk. It is crucial that the attachment system for the bedside sleeper be tested in order to ensure that it can withstand forces that are imposed during use, such as the parent rolling on and off the sleeper. The attachment system, or the corners on the bedside cosleeper should be tested against a horizontal force.
The standard that is voluntary for bedside sleepers incorporates by reference the federal consumer safety standard for products such as bassinets and cradles (16 CFR part 1218), which includes requirements for performance for enclosed openings with a fabric-side. The standard's mandatory requirements also address the danger of head and neck entrapment by requiring that, after the application, release a 50-lb. The standard also stipulates that following the application and release of 50 pounds. It is not allowed to create a gap larger than 1.0 in. The standard is not available for reading. can be found at ASTM's online Reading Room.
Convenience
Many parents have resisted cosleeping because of fears of suffocation, SIDS or the "Ferberization" process that requires children to sleep on their own Anthropologists have noted that the majority of mammals and primates as well as those in non-Western societies, regularly cosleep. This is because babies are soothed by hearing their mother's voice, and they also learn to self-soothe.
The top bedside sleepers have a clever design that attaches to the side of a mattress and can swivel so that you can access it easily to change diapers or feeds in the middle of the night. Look for a model with feet that can be adjusted to accommodate various mattress sizes. It should also have an ample storage area to store all of your baby's essentials.
Select a bedside sleeper that fits standard crib bedding, so it's safe to use as your child grows. Consider a model that is convertible and can be used as a play area or a bassinet that is deeper. It will last for a long time.
Portability
Based on the dimensions of your bedroom, a bedside sleeper with wheels and/or a light base may be easier to move around the house than one that has an imposing wood frame or massive base. The babybay Bedside Sleeper, HALO BassiNest Essentia and Snoo Smart Sleeper are all equipped with excellent portability features. Adjustable feet retract to accommodate platforms; legs fold inward to give the most comfortable closeness to the mattress; and sides made of 100% mesh to allow for ventilation without any fabric covering the baby's nose or mouth.
The Arm's Reach ClearVue is a great option. It adjusts in 1" increments and can be used as a bassinet, or a portable bed. It also swivels to allow easy access to your baby so that you can soothe your baby, nurse or monitor her during the night.