Bedside Cosleeper

A bedside cosleeper attaches to your adult bed. It's safe as long as you follow the CSPC safety guidelines for infant sleep spaces.

These guidelines are similar to the crib bedding standards. You can read more about these guidelines here. The most important factors to take into consideration when selecting a bedside sleeper are: Safety, Comfort, and Convenience.

Safety

In accordance with the American Academy of Pediatrics' recommendation that infants sleep in the same bed as their parents cosleeping (a method that is sometimes referred to as bed-sharing) is becoming popular with a lot of new and expecting parents. The Academy says that sharing a room with a baby is less risky than sleeping in the same bed with parents because it lowers the risk 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 limit the risk of SIDS. The creation of the bedside crib was important for many families.

A bedside sleeper is attached to a bed frame that is suitable for adults. It's similar to a crib sleeper. The bedside cosleeper helps parents keep an eye on their baby and allows them the option of sleeping in their own bed. The most reliable cosleepers are made with high-quality materials and adhere to strict safety standards. To ensure the safety of your child be sure to look for the Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association stamp of approval. This proves that the product has been tested thoroughly and quality control.

The safety of a bedside cosleeper depends on several aspects that include the way it is set up and connected to the parent's bed. It is essential that the bedside sleeper be connected 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 the risk of suffocation. It is crucial that the attachment system of a bedside crib be examined to determine if it can withstand the force that may be applied in the use of it, like parents rolling onto and off of the sleeper or 25-pound. horizontal force applied to the attachment system or to the corners of the bedside cosleeper.

The voluntary standard for bedside crib that turns into cot cribs incorporates, by reference, the federal consumer product safety standards for bassinets (16 CFR part 1218), including the requirements for performance for closed fabric openings. The standard's requirements for mandatory compliance tackle the issue of head and neck traps by requiring after application, and release 50 lbs. horizontal force at the attachment system and the corners of the cot bedside sleeper, a gap larger than 1.0 in. It is not permitted to create a gap larger than 1.0 in. ASTM's electronic Reading Room offers read-only versions of the standard.

Convenience

While many parents have avoided cosleeping for fear of suffocation SIDS or the "Ferberization" process that requires children to be in a room by themselves, anthropologists have long noted that mammals and primates, as well as people in non-Western societies, regularly co-slept. This is because babies are soothed by hearing their mother's voice, and can also learn to self-soothe.

The top bedside sleepers have an innovative design that is attached on the side of any mattress and pivots so that you can access it easily to change diapers or feeds in the middle of the night. Find a model with adjustable feet that retract to accommodate various mattress sizes. It should also include a large storage area for all of your baby's essentials.

Choose a bedside crib that is compatible with the standard crib bedding, so that it's safe to use as your child grows. You might also consider a convertible model that can transform into a play yard or deeper bassinet to last for years of use, and folds up easily for travel.

Portability

Based on the size of your bedroom, a bedside sleeper with wheels and/or a lightweight base might be more convenient to move around the house than one that has an imposing wood frame or substantial base. The babybay Bedside sleeper, HALO BassiNest Essentia and Snoo Smart Sleeper all have amazing portability features. The adjustable feet that retract to accommodate platforms; legs fold inward to ensure maximum proximity to the mattress; and sidewalls made of 100% mesh that allow for air circulation without fabric covering the baby's nose or mouth.

The Arm's Reach ClearVue is another popular option that adjusts in 1" increments to fit in most adult beds and can also serve as a portable bassinet. It also swivels to allow the baby to be easily accessible to comfort and nurse her or check on her at night.