Bedside Cosleeper
A bedside cosleeper attaches to your adult bed. It's safe, as long as you comply with the CSPC safety guidelines for infant sleep spaces.
These guidelines are similar to crib bedding standards. You can learn more about these guidelines here. When selecting a bedside sleeping device, safety, comfort, and ease of use are the primary factors to consider.
Safety
In line with the American Academy of Pediatrics' recommendation that infants are in the same room with their parents cosleeping (a practice that is also known as bed-sharing) is becoming popular with many new and expecting parents. The Academy states that room-sharing is safer than sleeping with an infant in the same bed since it reduces instances of Sudden Unexpected Death in Infancy, or SIDS. While the AAP discourages bed-sharing however, it does recommend that sleeping with a partner be done on a separate sleep surface to minimize the risk of SIDS. This is why the introduction of the bedside cosleeper was crucial for many families.
A bedside cosleeper can be described as a crib-like sleeper that attaches to an adult bed frame. The bedside cosleeper enables parents to easily monitor their child, and it gives them the ability to move around in an adult bed while keeping their baby close to them. The most reliable cosleepers are made using high-quality materials and adhere to strict safety standards. To ensure the safety of your child be sure to 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 cosleeper is dependent on several aspects. This includes how it's set up and secured onto the mattress of the parent. If the bedside cosleeper is not attached to the parent's bed in a manner that eliminates the gaps and openings where an infant could be trapped, it could create an hazard of suffocation. It is crucial that the attachment system of a bedside crib be tested to verify it can withstand the force that might be imposed in the use of it, like a parent rolling onto and off of the sleeper or a 25-lb. The attachment system, or the corners of the bedside sleeper should be subjected to a horizontal force.
The voluntary standard for bedside cribs is based on to the federal consumer product safety standards for bassinets (16 CFR part 1218) and specifications for the performance of closed openings. The mandatory requirements of the standard also address neck and head dangers through insisting that following the application and release of 50-lb. The standard also requires that following the release and application of 50 pounds. It is not allowed to create a gap greater than 1.0 in. The standard is not available for reading. can be found at ASTM's online Reading Room.
Convenience
Many parents do not allow cosleeping because they are afraid of being suffocated or SIDS, or because it is an "Ferberization" which requires children to sleep on their own. Anthropologists have noticed for a long time that a lot of mammals, primates, and people from non-Western cultures cosleep regularly. This could be due to the fact that infants are comforted by the familiar voice of their mother and it may also help to practice self-soothing.
The best bedside sleepers have a clever design that attaches on the side of any mattress and pivots so that you can access it easily for feedings or diaper changes during the middle of the night. Find a model with feet that can be adjusted to accommodate different mattress sizes. bedside cot co sleeper should also have a large storage area for all of your baby's essentials.
Pick a bedside crib that is compatible with standard crib bedding so that it can be used safely as your child grows. You might also consider an adjustable model that can transform into a play area or deeper bassinet for a long time of use, and folds easily for transport.
Portability
Based on the size of your bedroom, a bedside cosleeper with wheels and/or a lightweight base may be more convenient 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 all come with amazing portability features. The adjustable feet that retract to accommodate platform beds and the legs fold inward to ensure maximum proximity to the mattress and a sides made of 100% mesh to allow for air circulation 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 be used as an portable bassinet. It also pivots to allow easy access to your baby so that you can help her relax, nurse her, or monitor the baby during the night.