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 sleeping spaces for infants.
These guidelines are very similar to crib bedding standards. You can learn more about these guidelines here. When selecting a bedside sleeping device, safety, comfort, and convenience are the most important aspects to take into consideration.
Safety
Many new parents and pregnant mothers have embraced cosleeping which is also known as bed-sharing, as per the American Academy of Pediatrics recommendation that infants 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 as it reduces instances of Sudden Unexpected Death in Infancy (also known as SIDS). While the AAP does not recommend bed sharing, it does recommend that cosleeping be done on a separate sleep surface to limit the risk of SIDS. This is why the introduction of the bedside cosleeper was crucial for many families.
A bedside sleeper is attached to a bed frame designed for adults. It is similar to a crib sleeper. The bedside cosleeper enables parents to monitor their little one and allows parents the freedom of a bed while keeping their child close to them. The best cosleepers have strict safety standards and are built with sturdy, high-quality materials. Check for the Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association (JPMA) stamp of approval, which indicates rigorous testing of the product and quality control, to ensure your child's safety cosleeping experience.
The safety of a cosleeper is contingent on a variety of factors. It is dependent on how it's installed and secured to the mattress of the parent. If the bedside sleeper is not attached to the parent's bed in a manner that eliminates the gaps and spaces in which an infant can become trapped, it could be a suffocation hazard. It is vital that the attachment system for a bedside sleeper be tested to ensure that it is able to withstand any forces that are imposed to it during use, like the parent moving on and off the sleeper. horizontal force applied to the attachment system or to the corners of the bedside cosleeper.
The voluntary standard for bedside sleepers includes by reference the federal consumer safety standard for bassinets and cradles (16 CFR part 1218) and includes requirements for the performance of fabric-sided enclosed openings. The standard's mandatory requirements also deal with the risk of neck and head imprisonment by requiring that after application, and release the 50-lb. horizontal force at the attachment systems and corners of the bedside sleeper gaps larger than 1.0 in. It is not allowed to create a gap greater than 1.0 in. ASTM's electronic Reading Room offers read-only versions of the standard.
Convenience
Many parents do not allow cosleeping because they fear the risk of suffocation, or SIDS or because it is an act of "Ferberization" that forces children to sleep on their own. Anthropologists have noted for years that many mammals, primates and people from non-Western cultures cosleep often. It could be because infants are soothed by the familiar voice of their mother, and it may also help them learn to self-soothe.
foldable bedside crib have clever design that can be attached to the side of any bed and can be swiveled for ease of access to feedings in the middle of the night or diaper changes. Choose a model that has adjustable feet that retract to accommodate various mattress sizes. It should also have ample storage space for all the baby's necessities.
Choose a bedside crib that is compatible with standard crib bedding, so it will be safe to use as your child grows. Look for a model that is convertible and can be used as a play yard or a bassinet that is deeper. It will last for many years.
Portability
Based on the dimensions of your bedroom, a bedside sleeper with wheels and/or a lightweight base may be easier to move around your home than one with frames made of wood or a large base. The babybay bedside sleeping system, HALO bassiNest essencetia, as well as Snoo Smart Sleeper are all movable. They come with feet that can be adjusted that can be retracted to accommodate platform mattresses; legs that fold inward to allow maximum proximity to the mattress; 100 mesh sidewalls that allow ventilation without fabric covering baby's mouth or nose.
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 for quick access to the baby so that you can comfort her, nurse her, or check on them during the night.