Bedside Cosleeper
A bedside cosleeper is a bassinet which is attached to the side of your adult bed. As long as you adhere to the CSPC guidelines for infant sleeping spaces It's safe.
These guidelines are similar to crib bedding standards. Read more about the guidelines here. When choosing travel cot bedside crib sleeping device safety, comfort, and ease of use are the primary factors to consider.
Safety
Many new parents and pregnant mothers have embraced cosleeping which is also known as bed-sharing, in accordance with 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 more secure than sleeping in the same bed with parents because it lowers the risk of Sudden Unexpected Infant Death (SIDS). While the AAP discourages bed-sharing, it does recommend that co-sleeping be done on a separate sleep surface to limit the risk of SIDS. This is why the introduction of the bedside cosleeper became so crucial for many 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 gives them the option of sleeping in their own bed. The most reliable cosleepers meet strict safety standards and are built using durable, high-quality materials. 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 safety of a crib is dependent on several aspects. This includes the way it's put in place and secured to the mattress of the parent. If the bedside cosleeper isn't connected to the bed of the parent in a way that prevents the gaps and spaces in which an infant can become trapped, it could create an hazard of suffocation. It is vital that the attachment system for the bedside sleeper be examined to make sure that it is able to withstand any forces that are imposed during use, such as the parent bouncing on and off the sleeper. The attachment system or the corners on the bedside cosleeper should be tested against the horizontal force.
The standard that is voluntary for bedside sleepers incorporates by reference to the federal consumer safety standard for products such as bassinets and cradles (16 CFR part 1218) and includes requirements for performance for fabric-sided enclosed openings. The mandatory requirements in the standard also address head and neck entrapment hazards by requiring that, following the application and release of 50 lbs. horizontal force at the attachment systems and corners of the bedside sleeper gaps larger than 1.0 in. is not allowed to be created. ASTM's electronic Reading Room offers read-only versions of the standard.
Convenience
Many parents avoid cosleeping because they are afraid of suffocation or SIDS or because it's an act of "Ferberization" which requires children to sleep on their own. However, anthropologists have observed for a long time that a lot of mammals, primates, and people from non-Western cultures cosleep frequently. This may be because infants are soothed by the familiar voice of their mother and it may also help to practice self-soothing.
The top bedside sleepers have clever designs that are attached to the side of a mattress and pivots so that you can easily reach it to change diapers or feeds in the middle of the night. Find one with adjustable feet that retract to accommodate various mattress heights and a large storage compartment to store all of your baby's necessities.
Choose a bedside sleeper that will fit standard crib bedding, so it is safe to use as your child grows. Consider a model that is convertible and can be used as a play yard or a bassinet that is deeper. It can last for many years.
Portability
Based on the size of your bedroom a bedside sleeper with wheels and/or a lightweight base could be more convenient to move around the house than one that has a heavy wood frame or massive base. The babybay bedside sleeper HALO bassiNest essencetia, as well as Snoo Smart Sleeper are all movable. They come with adjustable feet that retract to fit platform mattresses; legs that fold inward to allow maximum proximity to the mattress; and 100% mesh sidewalls to allow ventilation without fabric covering baby's nose or mouth.
The Arm's Reach ClearVue is a great option. It adjusts in 1" increments and can be used as a bassinet or a portable bed. It also swivels to allow easy access to your baby so that you can soothe your baby, nurse or monitor her during the night.