Bedside Cosleeper
A bedside cosleeper attaches to 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 the crib bedding standards. Find out bedside cot reviews . The most important aspects to consider when selecting the best bedside sleeper are Safety Comfort, Convenience, and Safety.
Safety
Many new parents and pregnant mothers have chosen to cosleep or bed-sharing, in line with the American Academy of Pediatrics recommendation that infants sleep in the same room as their parents. The Academy notes that room-sharing is more secure than sleeping with a baby in the same bed as it decreases the risk of Sudden Unexpected Death in Infants, or SIDS. While the AAP does not recommend bed sharing, it does recommend that cosleeping be done on a separate sleeping surface to minimize the risk of SIDS. The development of the bedside crib was crucial for a lot of families.
A bedside cosleeper is a crib-like sleeper that is attached to an adult bed frame. The bedside cosleeper allows parents to easily monitor their baby and gives parents the freedom of sleeping in a bed while keeping their baby close by. The most reliable cosleepers are made using high-quality materials and adhere to strict safety standards. To ensure your child's safety be sure to look for the Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association stamp of approval. This is a sign of rigorous testing and quality control.
The security of a cosleeper for the bed depends on several factors such as the way it is set up and connected to the parent's bed. If the bedside sleeper is not connected to the parent's bed in a manner that eliminates the gaps and openings where an infant can become trapped, it could create the risk of suffocation. It is essential that the attachment system of a bedside sleeper be tested to verify it is able to withstand the forces that might be imposed in the course of use, for example, parents rolling onto and off of the sleeper or a 25-lb. horizontal force applied to the attachment system or corners of the bedside cosleeper.
The standard that is voluntary for bedside sleepers incorporates by reference the federal consumer product safety standard for bassinets and cradles (16 CFR part 1218), which includes requirements for the performance of enclosed openings with a fabric-side. The standard's mandatory requirements also address the danger of neck and head imprisonment by requiring that after application, and release the 50-lb. The standard also states that following the application and release of a 50-lb. must not be created. Read-only copies of the standard can be accessed at ASTM's electronic Reading Room.
Convenience
While many parents have avoided cosleeping for fear of suffocation SIDS or the "Ferberization" process that requires children to sleep alone Anthropologists have long observed that most primates and mammals, as well as people who live in non-Western societies, have regularly coslept. This is because babies are soothed by hearing the voice of their mother, and they also learn to self-soothe.
The best bedside sleepers have a clever design that attaches to the side of a mattress and swivels so you can easily access it for feedings or diaper changes during the middle of the night. Look for one with adjustable feet that retract to accommodate different mattress sizes, and a big storage compartment for all your baby's needs.
Choose a bedside crib that will fit the standard crib bedding, so that it is safe to use as your child grows. You may also want to consider an adjustable model that can transform into a play yard or a deeper bassinet for years of use. It folds easily for travel.
Portability
Based on the size of your bedroom, a bedside sleeping system with wheels and/or a lightweight base might be more convenient to move around your home than one that has an imposing wood frame or large base. The Babybay Bedside Sleeper, HALO BassiNest Essentia and Snoo Smart Sleeper all come with great portability features: adjustable feet that retract to accommodate platform beds and legs fold inwards to give the most comfortable closeness to the mattress and 100% mesh sidewalls that allow for air circulation without 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 portable bed. It also rotates, allowing easy access to your baby to comfort, nurse or check on her during the night.