Bedside Cosleeper

A bedside cosleeper is a bassinet which connects to the side of your adult bed. As long as you adhere to the CSPC guidelines for sleeping areas for infants, it's safe.


These guidelines are very 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 main factors to consider.

Safety

Many new parents and expectant mothers have chosen to cosleep, also known as bed-sharing, in accordance with the American Academy of Pediatrics recommendation that infants should sleep in the same room as their parents. The Academy states that room-sharing with a baby is less risky than sleeping in the same bed as a parent because it reduces the risk of Sudden Unexpected Infant Death (SIDS). The AAP doesn't recommend bed sharing however, it does suggest that co-sleeping on a separate sleeping surface is a great way to lower the risk of SIDS. This is why the development of the bedside cosleeper became so important to many families.

A bedside cosleeper is attached to a bed frame designed for adults. It is similar to a crib sleeper. The bedside cosleeper helps parents monitor the baby and gives them the freedom to sleep in their own bed. The best cosleepers have strict safety standards and are built with sturdy, high-quality materials. To ensure bedside co sleeper cotsfortots of your child, look for the Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association stamp of approval. This proves that the product has been tested thoroughly and quality control.

The safety of a bedside sleeper depends on several aspects such as the way it is set up and attached to the parent's bed. If the bedside sleeper is not connected to the parent's bed in a way that prevents the gaps and spaces where an infant could be trapped, it could create an hazard of suffocation. It is crucial that the attachment system for the bedside sleeper is tested in order to ensure that it can withstand any forces that may be applied during use, such as the parent rolling on and off the sleeper. The attachment system or the corners on the bedside cosleeper must be subjected to the horizontal force.

The standard that is voluntary for bedside beds incorporates by reference to the federal consumer safety standard for bassinets and cradles (16 CFR part 1218) that includes requirements for the performance of enclosed openings made of fabric. The standard's requirements for mandatory compliance deal with the risk of neck and head traps by requiring after the application and release 50 lbs. The standard also stipulates that after the release and application of 50 pounds. is not allowed to be created. ASTM's electronic Reading Room offers read-only versions of the standard.

Convenience

Many parents do not allow cosleeping because they are afraid of suffocation or SIDS or because it is a "Ferberization" that forces children to be in a room by themselves. However, anthropologists have noted for years that a lot of mammals, primates and people from non-Western cultures sleep often. This is because babies are soothed by hearing the voice of their mother, and may also learn to soothe themselves.

The best bedside sleepers come with an innovative design that is attached to the sides of any bed and pivots to allow easy access for middle-of-the-night feedings or diaper changes. Look for a model with adjustable feet that retract to accommodate various mattress sizes. It should also have a large storage area for everything your baby needs.

Choose a bedside crib that will fit the standard crib bedding, so that it is safe to use as your child grows. You might also think about a convertible model that can transform into a play area or a more deep bassinet for a long time of use, and folds up easily for transport.

Portability

Based on the dimensions of your bedroom, a bedside cosleeper with wheels and/or a light base might be easier to move around the house than one that has frames made of wood or a substantial base. The babybay Bedside Sleeper, HALO BassiNest Essentia and Snoo Smart Sleeper are all equipped with great portability features: adjustable feet that retract to fit platforms and the legs fold inward to give the most comfortable closeness to the mattress; and sides made of 100% mesh to let airflow without material covering baby's mouth or nose.

The Arm's Reach ClearVue is another popular option that adjusts in 1" increments to fit in most adult beds and can also serve as an portable bassinet. It also swivels, allowing the baby to be easily accessible to comfort your baby, nurse or monitor her at night.