Bedside Cosleeper

A bedside cosleeper can be described as a bassinet that attaches to the side of your adult bed. It's safe as long as you adhere to the CSPC safety guidelines for infant sleep spaces.

These guidelines are similar to crib bedding standards. You can read more about these guidelines here. When choosing a bedside sleeping device safety, comfort, and convenience are the most important 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 also referred to as bed-sharing) is becoming popular with many new and expecting parents. The Academy says that sharing rooms is safer than sleeping with a baby in the same bed as it decreases the risk of Sudden Unexpected Death in Infants (also known as SIDS). The AAP does not advocate bed-sharing however, it does suggest that sleeping on separate sleeping surfaces is a good option to reduce the risk of SIDS. The development of the bedside crib was crucial for many families.

A bedside cosleeper attaches to a bed frame for adults. It is similar to a crib sleeper. The bedside cosleeper lets parents keep an eye on the baby, and also gives the baby the ability to sleep in their own bed. The top cosleepers adhere to strict safety standards and are made with sturdy, high-quality materials. Look for the Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association (JPMA) stamp of approval, which confirms strict product testing and quality control, to ensure your child's safety cosleeping experience.

The safety of a bedside sleeper is contingent on a variety of factors such as the manner in which it is put 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 manner that prevents gaps and spaces where an infant could become trapped. This could pose the risk of suffocation. It is important that the attachment system of a bedside crib be tested to ensure that it can withstand the force that may be applied in the course of use, for example, parents rolling onto and off the sleeper, or a 25-lb. horizontal force applied to the attachment system or corners of the bedside cosleeper.


The voluntary standard for bedside sleepers includes by reference the federal consumer safety standard for products such as bassinets and cradles (16 CFR part 1218) that includes performance requirements for fabric-sided enclosed openings. The standard's requirements for mandatory compliance deal with the risk of head and neck traps by requiring after application, and release 50 lbs. The standard also stipulates that after the release and application of 50 pounds. It is not allowed to create a gap that is greater than 1.0 in. ASTM's electronic Reading Room offers read-only versions of the standard.

Convenience

While many parents have avoided cosleeping because of fears of suffocation SIDS or the "Ferberization" process that forces children to sleep on their own Anthropologists have long observed that the majority of mammals and primates and people who live in non-Western societies, have regularly co-slept. This is due to the fact that babies are soothed when they hear the voice of their mother, and they also learn to self-soothe.

The top bedside sleepers have clever designs that are attached to the side of a mattress and swivels so you can easily access it for feedings or diaper changes in the middle of the night. Look for one with feet that are adjustable and retract to accommodate various mattress heights and a large storage space for all of your baby's necessities.

Pick a bedside crib that can fit in with the standard crib bedding so that it can be used in a safe manner as your child grows. You may also want to consider an adjustable model that can transform into a play area or a deeper bassinet for years of use, and folds easily to travel.

Portability

Depending on the size of your bedroom, a bedside sleeping system with wheels and/or a light base may be more convenient to move around your home than one that has frames made of wood or a massive base. The babybay Bedside sleeper, HALO BassiNest Essentia and Snoo Smart Sleeper all come with great portability features: adjustable feet retract to accommodate platform beds; legs fold inward for maximum closeness to the mattress; and sidewalls made of 100% mesh that let airflow without material covering baby's mouth or nose.

The Arm's Reach ClearVue is an excellent option. bedside cot reviews adjusts in 1" increments and can be used as a bassinet, or a portable bed. It also swivels to give you quick access to the baby to comfort her, nurse her, or monitor them at night.