Bedside Cosleeper

A bedside cosleeper is a bassinet which attaches to the side of your adult bed. It's safe as long as you adhere to the CSPC safety guidelines for sleeping spaces for infants.

These guidelines are similar in many ways 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 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 recommends that room-sharing with a baby is less risky than sleeping in the same bed as parents, as it reduces the risk of Sudden Unexpected Infant Death (SIDS). While the AAP does not recommend bed sharing but does recommend that sleeping with a partner be done on a separate sleep surface to reduce the risk of SIDS. The creation of the bedside crib was important for many families.

A bedside cosleeper is a crib-like sleeper that is attached to an adult bed frame. The bedside cosleeper lets parents to keep an eye on their little one, and it gives them the freedom of sleeping in a bed while keeping their baby close by. The best bedside cot for newborn cosleepers are built with top-quality materials and adhere to stringent safety standards. To ensure the safety 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 security of a cosleeper for the bed depends on several aspects that include the manner in which it is put up and attached to the parent's bed. It is important that the bedside sleeper be secured to the mattress of the parent in a way that eliminates gaps and spaces, where the infant may be trapped. This could result in the risk of suffocation. It is crucial that the attachment system of a bedside cot mattress crib be examined to determine if it can withstand the forces that may be applied in the use of it, like parents rolling onto and off of the sleeper or 25-pound. horizontal force applied to the attachment system or to the corners of the bedside cosleeper.

The standard for bedside cots for newborns sleepers includes by reference to the federal consumer product safety standard for bassinets and cradles (16 CFR part 1218) that includes requirements for performance for enclosed openings made of fabric. The mandatory requirements in the standard also address neck and head dangers through requiring that after the application and release of 50 lbs. horizontal force near the attachment systems and at the corners of the bedside sleeper a gap greater than 1.0 in. It is not allowed to create a gap greater than 1.0 in. ASTM's electronic Reading Room offers read-only versions of the standard.

Convenience

Many parents have resisted cosleeping because of fears of suffocation, SIDS or the "Ferberization" process that requires children to sleep on their own, anthropologists have long noted that mammals and primates as well as those who live in non-Western societies, have regularly coslept. This may be because infants are comforted by the familiar voice of their mother and it can also help to practice self-soothing.

The best bedside sleepers come with a smart design that attaches to the sides of any bed and swivels for easy access for feedings during the night or diaper changes. Choose one with adjustable feet that retract to accommodate different mattress sizes, and a big storage compartment to store all of your baby's needs.

Select a bedside sleeper that fits standard crib bedding, so it will be safe to use as your child grows. Consider a model that is convertible and can be used as a play yard, or a deeper bassinet. It will last for a long time.

Portability

Depending on the dimensions of your bedroom, a bedside sleeper with wheels and/or a lightweight base might be easier to move around your home than one with frames made of wood or a large base. The babybay Bedside sleeper, HALO BassiNest Essentia and Snoo Smart Sleeper are all equipped with great portability features: adjustable feet retract to accommodate platforms and the legs fold inward to ensure maximum proximity to the mattress and a sidewalls made of 100% mesh that allow for ventilation without any fabric covering the baby's nose or mouth.

The Arm's Reach ClearVue is a top choice. It adjusts in 1" increments and can be used as a bassinet, or a portable bed. It also swivels, allowing for quick access to baby to comfort and nurse her or check on her throughout the night.