Bedside Cosleeper
A bedside cosleeper is attached 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 in many ways to crib bedding standards. Learn bedside cot 6 months plus about the guidelines here. When choosing a bedside sleeping device security, comfort and convenience are the main factors to consider.
Safety
Many new parents and expecting mothers have adopted cosleeping, also known as bed-sharing, as per the American Academy of Pediatrics recommendation that infants should sleep in the same bedroom as their parents. The Academy states that room-sharing with a baby is safer than sleeping in the same bed as a parent because it reduces the risk of Sudden Unexpected Infant Death (SIDS). While the AAP does not recommend bed sharing, it does recommend that cosleeping be done on a separate sleep surface to minimize the risk of SIDS. The creation of the bedside crib was crucial for a lot of families.
A bedside cosleeper can be described as a crib-like sleeper that can be attached to an adult bed frame. The bedside cosleeper lets parents keep an eye on the baby and allows the baby the ability to sleep in their own bed. The best cosleepers have strict safety standards and are constructed using durable, high-quality materials. To ensure the safety of your child be sure to look for the Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association stamp of approval. This confirms rigorous testing and quality control.
The safety of a cosleeper is contingent on a variety of factors. It is dependent on how it's installed and secured to the mattress of the parent. If the bedside sleeper is not connected to the bed of the parent in a way that prevents the gaps and openings where the infant can get trapped, it could pose a suffocation hazard. It is important that the attachment system of a bedside crib be tested to verify it can withstand the forces that might be imposed in the use of it, like a parent rolling onto and off the sleeper, or 25-pound. The attachment system or the corners on the bedside cosleeper must be tested against the horizontal force.
The voluntary standard for bedside sleepers includes by reference to the federal consumer safety standard for bassinets and cradles (16 CFR part 1218) that includes performance requirements for enclosed openings made of fabric. The standard's mandatory requirements also deal with the risk of neck and head traps by requiring after application, and release 50 lbs. horizontal force at the attachment systems and corners of the bedside sleeper, a gap larger than 1.0 in. It is not permitted to create a gap larger than 1.0 in. Read-only copies of the standard can be found at ASTM's online Reading Room.
Convenience
Many parents are reluctant to cosleep because they are afraid of the risk of suffocation, or SIDS or because it is a "Ferberization" which requires children to sleep alone. Anthropologists have noted for years that many mammals, primates, and people from other cultures sleep regularly. This is because babies are soothed by hearing their mother's voice, and they also learn to self-soothe.
The top bedside sleepers have a smart design that attaches to the side of a bed and can be swiveled for ease of access to feedings in the middle of the night or diaper changes. Look for a model with feet that can be adjusted to accommodate various mattress sizes. It should also have an ample storage area to store all the baby's necessities.
Choose a bedside sleeper that is compatible with 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 will last for a long time.
Portability
A bedside cosleeper with wheels or a light base is much easier to move than one that has a heavy wooden frame or a substantial base. The babybay Bedside sleeper, HALO BassiNest Essentia and Snoo Smart Sleeper are all equipped with amazing portability features. The adjustable feet retract to accommodate platform beds and the legs fold inward for maximum closeness to the mattress; and 100% mesh sidewalls that let airflow without fabric covering baby's mouth or nose.
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 pivots to allow for easy access to your baby to comfort her, nurse her or check on them during the night.