Bedside Baby Beds
Baby cribs for bedside use allow parents to keep their newborn close during the night without compromising safety. They are designed to be used by infants up until 4-6 months.
The Halo Bassinest swivels over the parent's bed and comes with a push-down feature that lets parents scoop up their newborn to feed them during the night. However, the base won't fit under beds that are less than 4.5 inches high.
Safety features
A bedside baby bed allows parents to keep their infants close for nighttime feedings, comforting, and monitoring without leaving their own beds. This sleeping arrangement is perfect for new mothers recovering from childbirth or with limited mobility. It may also help parents sleep better at night. It is crucial to think about the safety features when buying a bedside crib.
This type of mattress is a safety risk because it does not provide an entirely secure barrier between the parent's sleeping area and the infant's sleep area. This could lead to gaps that can cause dangers of suffocation to infants. Sharing a bed can increase the body heat of the parent and can increase the chance of overheating. This could result in SIDS.
Although some manufacturers claim that bedside co-sleepers are more secure than traditional cribs, they aren't subject to the CPSC's safety guidelines. They may have slats which allow babies' legs or heads to become stuck. The attachment mechanisms could be unstable, leading to separation.
A lot of these surfaces have loose bedding that could cause suffocation. Babies aren't strong enough or have the coordination to remove themselves from soft bedding. There are gaps between the frame and the mattress can also create the risk of suffocation. Some of these items have an extremely hard bottom that could hurt a child if they fall onto it. One commenter suggested that CPSC add pictograms to the warnings for these products, which would reduce the chances of caregivers ignoring key elements. Bedside sleepers need to have a smooth transition system that stops the baby from slipping off the parent's mattress.
Bedding
A bedside crib, also referred to as a co-sleeper or bassinet lets babies sleep next to their parents' beds while maintaining an individual sleeping space. This method of co-sleeping that is safe reduces the risk of entrapment, suffocation, and Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) by keeping babies close to their parents and within arms' reach for feedings during the night or comforting.
Baby bedding for a sleeper in the bed can include bumpers and crib sheets. They can also include blankets and stuffed animals. Make sure that the bedding you choose to use is suitable for the bedside sleeper to avoid bulges or pockets which could hinder the baby's breathing. Make sure that the mattress you purchase for your baby's bed is firm and firmly fitted without any gaps around the edges.

If you're in search of bedding sets to keep your baby clean in the event that they have accidents or spit up in the night, select a set that is easy to clean and dries. Consider the possibility of a travel kit that will simplify the process of packing and unpack your bedside sleeping set when you're going to a vacation destination or visiting your grandparents.
Once your infant outgrows their bedside sleeper, you can transition them to a standalone toddler or crib. When transitioning, be sure to move the crib away from the bed of the parent for several weeks or months so that your infant can be comfortable sleeping in their own space while still feeling connected to their parents. Also, be sure to select a crib that you can fold up easily for storage and transportation. Some models can be converted into a play area or a deeper bassinet. This makes them a perfect option for parents with young children who like to travel.
Tilt function
A bedside sleeper is a bassinet which connects to the side of an adult bed and has one side lower than the other and allows parents to reach out to tend their baby at night. It may also have a tilt function to help alleviate reflux in infants. Many parents report that this feature can help their children sleep better. It is important to keep in mind that a slanted, or elevated, mattress can cause your baby's chin to shift to chest position. This could result in suffocation and should be avoided.
A suitable mattress is also crucial in deciding on the right crib for your child's bed. It must be flat and firm as well as breathable. The mattress should be the same size as the crib and fit snugly into the frame. It is best to purchase a new mattress for your crib as a second-hand one could increase the chance of SIDS. If you can, it is recommended to purchase mattresses designed specifically for specific bed frames.
Some cribs that are bedside, such as the Halo BassiNest, are designed to be tucked under your bed in order to save space while bringing your baby closer. However some beds are too low for this type of crib. The splayed feet of BassiNest make it difficult to move underneath certain beds. It is also a challenge to place it under a divan bed, which can cause it to rock or shift out of alignment with the mattress.
bedside travel cot for bedside use, such as the Ingenuity Dream and Grow Bedside Bassinet can be placed next to your mattress, but they aren't capable of tilting. CHOICE recommends that parents use these beds if they have a sturdy air-conditioned bed. Tilting a bassinet or bedside crib could encourage your baby to roll into an unsafe position which increases the risk of being suffocated.
Foot-to-foot positioning
A bedside baby bed also called a co-sleeper or bassinet, is a tiny crib that is attached to the side of a bed for an adult. This lets parents access their child with ease during the night. These beds are usually larger than traditional bassinets or cots. Some have a lower edge, which creates an obstacle between the sleeping spaces. They are typically made of durable materials, and some have wheels to make it easy to move throughout the house.
Some cribs for bedside use tilt features, which can help children with digestive issues such as colic or reflux. It is important to use the tilt function with care and only at a very small angle to avoid from suffocation. Speak to your doctor or health visitor if you are unsure about using the feature.
Another important safety consideration when choosing a crib for a bedside is the mattress. The mattress should be smooth, firm and breathable to minimize the risk of SIDS. A mattress that is too firm can result in an obstruction in the airway of infants, which can lead to danger. A mattress that is breathable will aid your child in staying cool at night, reducing the risk of overheating.
It's recommended that you place your baby in their own secure sleeping area - a crib, cot or Moses basket. It may seem tempting to share a bed as your baby but this could lead to SIDS. It is best to wait until your baby is old enough to go to bed independently before you attempt to co-sleep. If you have to, make sure that your bedroom is smoke-free in order to protect your child from second-hand smoke. Plunket might be able to help with a bassinet or crib for those with a low income.
Second-hand cribs
Parents who are frugal may be enticed to purchase or accept an old crib, bassinet or cradle for a gift from a family member or friend. However, cribs are one of the main causes of nursery-product related deaths, especially when older ones have damaged or missing parts or have more space between slats (which could create suffocation dangers). Additionally, older mattresses can develop dips and other conditions that can be hazardous for your child. And if a crib is older than the safety guidelines in place the crib could be contaminated by lead paint, and could contain other toxic chemicals.
Verify whether the crib has been removed from the crib. Make sure the crib was coated with water-based paint because this is safer for babies. Additionally, make sure the mattress is sturdy and snugly fits. Babies are prone to slip off mattresses that are soft, which also pose suffocation risks.
In addition to cribs, pay special attention to used bassinets, cradles or play yards. They should all be JPMA certified and have no sharp edges that your child can poke or scratch themselves on. Avoid adding pillows, toys or blankets with these products. They could be a potential dangerous for entrapment.
Infants have died in cribs that were altered or tampered with. Most of these accidents occurred when parents or caregivers attempted to make the cribs functional or more attractive by adding or modifying items. Since 1973, crib makers and the CPSC collaborated to create the standards that are mandatory for safe cribs for infants. These standards addressed issues like side heights, slat spacings, mattress fits, corner posts, and cutouts on end panels. As as a result, deaths from cribs have dropped from about 150 to 200 deaths per year to around 50.