Bedside Cosleeper
A bedside cosleeper can be described as a bassinet that connects to the side of your adult bed. As long as you adhere to the CSPC guidelines for infant sleeping spaces it's secure.
These guidelines are similar to the crib bedding standards. Find out more about the guidelines here. When selecting a bedside sleep device security, comfort and convenience are the main aspects to take into consideration.
Safety
In line with the American Academy of Pediatrics' recommendation that infants are in the same room with their parents, cosleeping (a practice that is also known as bed-sharing) has become popular with many new and expecting parents. The Academy states that room-sharing is more secure than sleeping with an infant in the same bed because it lowers the chance of Sudden Unexpected Death in Infants or SIDS. The AAP does not recommend bed-sharing however, it does suggest that sleeping on separate sleeping surfaces is a good option to decrease the risk of SIDS. The development of the bedside crib was essential for many families.
A bedside cosleeper is a crib-like sleeper that can be attached to an adult bed frame. The bedside cosleeper helps parents keep an eye on their baby and gives them the freedom to sleep in their own bed. The most reliable cosleepers meet strict safety standards and are made with durable, high-quality components. Check for the Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association (JPMA) stamp of approval, which confirms rigorous product testing and quality controls, to ensure your child's secure cosleeping experience.
The security of a cosleeper for the bed depends on several factors such as how it is installed and connected to the parent's bed. If the bedside cosleeper is not connected to the parent's bed in a way that blocks the gaps and spaces in which the infant can get trapped, it could create a suffocation hazard. It is essential that the attachment system of a bedside sleeper be tested to ensure that it can withstand any forces that may be applied during use, for example the parent bouncing on and off the sleeper. The attachment system or the corners on the bedside cosleeper should be exposed to the horizontal force.
The standard for bedside sleeping cribs incorporates, by reference, the federal consumer safety standards for bassinets (16 CFR part 1218) and the requirements for performance for closed fabric openings. The requirements that are mandatory in the standard also address head and neck dangers of entrapment by requiring that after the application and release of a 50-lb. horizontal force in the vicinity of the attachment systems and corners of the bedside sleeping device, gaps greater than 1.0 in. is not allowed to be created. Read-only copies of the standard can be found at ASTM's electronic Reading Room.
Convenience
Many parents do not allow cosleeping because they are afraid of suffocation or SIDS, or because it's a "Ferberization" which requires children to be in a room by themselves. However, anthropologists have noted for years that many mammals, primates, and people from non-Western cultures cosleep frequently. This is due to the fact that babies are soothed when they hear their mother's voice, and they also learn to self-soothe.
The best bedside sleepers feature an innovative design that is attached to the side of a mattress and pivots so that you can easily access it for feedings or diaper changes in the middle of the night. Choose a model that has feet that can be adjusted to accommodate different mattress sizes. It should also have ample storage space for everything your baby needs.
Select a bedside sleeper that is compatible with the standard crib bedding, so that it will be safe to use as your child grows. You may also want to consider a convertible model that can transform into a play yard or a deeper bassinet for years of use. It folds easily for transport.
bedside cot mattress that has wheels or a light base is easier to move than one with a heavy wooden frame or a substantial base. The babybay bedside sleeper HALO bassiNest essencetia, and Snoo Smart Sleeper are all movable. They come with adjustable feet that retract to fit platform mattresses and legs that fold inward to provide maximum access to the mattress; 100 mesh sidewalls for airflow without covering baby's mouth or nose.
The Arm's Reach ClearVue is another top choice that adjusts in 1" increments to fit most adult beds and can also serve as an portable bassinet. It also pivots to give you quick access to the baby so that you can soothe her, feed her or check on them at night.