Bedside Cosleeper
A bedside cosleeper attaches to your adult bed. It's safe as long as you follow the CSPC safety guidelines for infant sleeping spaces.
These guidelines are very similar to crib bedding standards. You can learn more about these guidelines here. The most important aspects to consider when choosing a bedside sleeper are: Safety, Comfort, and Convenience.
Safety
Many new parents and pregnant mothers have adopted cosleeping or bed-sharing, as per the American Academy of Pediatrics recommendation that infants be 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 with parents because it lowers the chance of Sudden Unexpected Infant Death (SIDS). The AAP does not recommend bed-sharing however it does recommend that co-sleeping on separate sleeping surfaces is a good option to reduce the risk of SIDS. The development 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 helps parents keep an eye on the baby, and also gives them the freedom to sleep in their own bed. The top cosleepers adhere to strict safety standards and are constructed using durable, high-quality materials. To ensure the safety of your child, look for the Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association stamp of approval. This is a sign of rigorous testing and quality control.
The safety of a bedside sleeper depends on several aspects, including the manner in which it is put up and attached to the parent's bed. It is essential that the bedside cosleeper is connected to the mattress of the parent in a manner that prevents gaps and spaces where the infant may be trapped. This could result in the risk of suffocation. It is essential that the attachment system of a bedside cosleeper be tested to verify it is able to withstand the forces that might be imposed in the course of use, for example, the parent rolling on and off of the sleeper or a 25-lb. horizontal force applied to the attachment system or the corners of the bedside cosleeper.
This Web page for bedside sleeping cribs incorporates, by reference, the federal consumer product safety standards for bassinets (16 CFR part 1218) and the requirements for performance for closed fabric openings. The standard's mandatory requirements deal with the risk of neck and head entrapment by requiring that, after the application and release 50 lbs. horizontal force near the attachment system and the corners of the bedside sleeper an opening that is greater than 1.0 in. is not allowed to be created. Read-only copies of the standard can be obtained from ASTM's online Reading Room.
Convenience
Many parents have resisted cosleeping for fear of suffocation SIDS or the "Ferberization" process that forces children to sleep on their own, anthropologists have long noted that the majority of mammals and primates and people in non-Western societies, regularly co-slept. It could be because infants are comforted by the familiar voice of their mother, and it can also help to practice self-soothing.
The top bedside sleepers have clever design that can be attached to the side of a 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 huge storage compartment to store all of the necessities for your baby.
Choose a bedside crib that will fit the standard crib bedding, so that it's safe to use as your child grows. Think about a model that's convertible and can be used as a play area or a bassinet that is deeper. It can last for many years.
Portability
A bedside cosleeper that has wheels or a base that is lightweight is much easier to move than one with a heavy wooden frame or base. The babybay bedside sleeper HALO bassiNest essencetia, as well as Snoo Smart Sleeper are all portable. They come with feet that can be adjusted that retract to fit platforms; legs that fold inward to provide maximum access to the mattress; 100 mesh sidewalls for airflow without covering baby's mouth or nose.
The Arm's Reach Clear-Vue is another top choice that adjusts in 1" increments to fit in most adult beds. It can also be used as a portable bassinet. It also pivots to allow for easy access to your baby so that you can help her relax, nurse her, or monitor them during the night.