Bedside Cosleeper
A bedside cosleeper attaches to your adult bed. If you stick to the CSPC guidelines for infant sleeping spaces, it's safe.
These guidelines are similar to crib bedding standards. You can read more about these guidelines here. When selecting a bedside sleep device, safety, comfort, and convenience are the most important factors to consider.
Safety
Many new parents and pregnant mothers have chosen to cosleep which is also known as bed-sharing, in accordance with the American Academy of Pediatrics recommendation that infants sleep in the same room as their parents. The Academy states that room-sharing with a baby is safer than sleeping in the same bed with parents, as it reduces the chance of Sudden Unexpected Infant Death (SIDS). While bedside co sleeper disapproves of bed sharing however, it does recommend that cosleeping be done on a separate sleep surface to minimize the risk of SIDS. The creation of the bedside crib was essential for a number of families.
A bedside cosleeper is a crib-like sleeper that can be attached to an adult bed frame. The bedside cosleeper allows parents to keep an eye on the baby, and also gives the baby the ability to sleep in their own bed. The top cosleepers are constructed with top-quality materials and meet strict safety standards. Look for the Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association (JPMA) stamp of approval, which indicates strict product testing and quality controls, to ensure your child's safe cosleeping experience.
The safety of a crib is dependent on several aspects. It is dependent on the way it's put in place and secured to the parent's mattress. It is essential that the bedside cosleeper be attached to the parent's mattress in a way that eliminates gaps and spaces, where an infant could become trapped. This could pose the risk of suffocation. It is crucial that the attachment system used for a bedside sleeper be tested to ensure that it can withstand any forces that are applied to it during use, like the parent rolling on and off the sleeper. The attachment system or the corners on the bedside cosleeper must be tested against an upward force.
The standard for bedside sleepers incorporates by reference the federal consumer safety standard for bassinets and cradles (16 CFR part 1218) that includes requirements for the performance of enclosed openings with a fabric-side. The standard's requirements for mandatory compliance address the danger of head and neck entrapment by requiring that, after application, and release the 50-lb. horizontal force in the vicinity of the attachment system and the corners of the bedside sleeper gaps that is greater than 1.0 in. It is not allowed to create a gap larger 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 being suffocated or SIDS or because it is a "Ferberization" that forces children to sleep on their own. Anthropologists have noted for years that many mammals, primates and people from non-Western cultures sleep regularly. This is because babies are soothed when they hear their mother's voice, and can also learn to self-soothe.
The best bedside sleepers feature an innovative design that is attached to the sides of any mattress and swivels so you can easily reach it for feedings or diaper changes during the middle of the night. Choose one with feet that are adjustable and retract to accommodate different mattress heights and a large storage compartment to store all of your baby's needs.
Pick a bedside crib that can fit in with the standard crib bedding to be used in a safe manner 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 to travel.
Portability
A bedside cosleeper that has wheels or a base that is lightweight is easier to move than one with a heavy wooden frame or a substantial base. The babybay bedside sleeping system, HALO bassiNest essencetia and Snoo Smart Sleeper are all portable. They come with adjustable feet that can be retracted to accommodate platform mattresses and legs that fold inwards to allow maximum proximity to the mattress; and 100 mesh sidewalls for airflow without covering baby's mouth or nose.
The Arm's Reach ClearVue is an excellent choice. It adjusts in 1" increments and can be used as a bassinet or a portable bed. It also pivots to give you quick access to the baby so that you can soothe her, feed her, or monitor them during the night.