Bedside Cosleeper
A bedside sleeper is attached to your adult bed. It's safe as long as you adhere to the CSPC safety guidelines for infant sleep spaces.
These guidelines are similar to crib bedding standards. You can read more about these guidelines here. The most important factors to consider when selecting a bedside sleeper are: Safety, Comfort, and Convenience.
Safety
In keeping with the American Academy of Pediatrics' recommendation that infants are in the same room as their parents cosleeping (a method that is sometimes referred to as bed-sharing) has gained popularity with many new and expecting parents. The Academy says that sharing rooms is safer than sleeping with a baby in the same bed as it decreases the risk of Sudden Unexpected Death in Infancy (also known as SIDS). The AAP doesn't recommend bed sharing however it does suggest that co-sleeping on a separate sleeping surface is a good way to decrease the risk of SIDS. The creation of the bedside crib was crucial for many families.
A bedside cosleeper is a crib-like sleeper that can be attached to an adult bed frame. The bedside cosleeper allows parents to keep an eye on their little one and gives parents the freedom of an adult bed while keeping their child close by. The most reliable cosleepers meet strict safety standards and are constructed with durable, high-quality components. Look for the Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association (JPMA) stamp of approval, which demonstrates rigorous testing of the product and quality controls, to ensure your child's safety cosleeping experience.
co sleeper bedside cot of a crib is dependent on several factors. This includes how it's set up and secured onto the mattress of the parent. It is essential that the bedside sleeper be secured to the mattress of the parent in a manner that prevents gaps and spaces where an infant could become trapped. This can pose a suffocation risk. It is crucial that the attachment system of a bedside crib be tested to verify it can withstand the force that may be applied in the use of it, like parents rolling onto and off of the sleeper or 25-pound. The attachment system or the corners on the bedside cosleeper must be exposed to the horizontal force.
The voluntary standard for bedside sleeping cribs incorporates, as a reference, the federal consumer safety standards for bassinets (16 CFR part 1218), including performance requirements for fabric-sided closed openings. The standard's mandatory requirements also tackle the issue of neck and head imprisonment by requiring that after application, and release the 50-lb. horizontal force at the attachment systems and corners of the bedside sleeper, a gap larger than 1.0 in. must not be created. Only read-only copies of the standard can be accessed at ASTM's online Reading Room.
Convenience
Many parents avoid cosleeping because they are afraid of being suffocated or SIDS or because it's a "Ferberization", which forces children to be in a room by themselves. Anthropologists have noticed for a long time that many primates, mammals and people from non-Western cultures cosleep often. This could be due to the fact that infants are comforted by the familiar voice of their mother and it can also help them practice self-soothing.
The top bedside sleepers have clever design that can be attached to the sides of any bed and pivots to allow easy access for middle-of-the-night feedings or diaper changes. Find a model with feet that can be adjusted to accommodate different sizes of mattresses. It should also come with a large storage area for all the baby's necessities.
Select a bedside sleeper that is compatible with the standard crib bedding to be used safely as your child grows. Look for a model that is convertible and can be used as a play area or a bassinet that is deeper. It will last for a long time.
Portability
Depending on the dimensions of your bedroom, a bedside sleeping system with wheels and/or a lightweight base might be more convenient to move around the house than one that has a heavy wood frame or large base. The Babybay Bedside Sleeper, HALO BassiNest Essentia and Snoo Smart Sleeper all come with great portability features: adjustable feet retract to accommodate platform beds and the legs fold inward to give the most comfortable closeness to the mattress; and 100% mesh sidewalls that allow for air circulation without fabric covering baby's nose or mouth.
The Arm's Reach ClearVue is a great choice. It adjusts in 1" increments and can be used as a bassinet or a portable bed. It also swivels to allow the baby to be easily accessible to comfort, nurse or check on her at night.