Bedside Cosleeper
A bedside cosleeper can be described as a bassinet that attaches to the side of your adult bed. If you stick to the CSPC guidelines for sleeping areas for infants, it's safe.
These guidelines are very similar to crib bedding standards. You can read more about these guidelines here. When choosing a bedside sleeping device security, comfort and ease of use are the primary aspects to take into consideration.
Safety
In line with the American Academy of Pediatrics' recommendation that infants sleep in the same room as their parents, cosleeping (a practice that is also known as bed-sharing) has gained popularity with many new and expecting parents. The Academy states that room-sharing is more secure than sleeping with an infant in the same bed because it decreases the risk of Sudden Unexpected Death in Infants or SIDS. The AAP does not advocate bed-sharing however it does suggest that sleeping on separate sleeping surfaces is a good way to reduce the risk of SIDS. The creation of the bedside crib was important for many families.
A bedside cosleeper is a similar to a crib sleeper that attaches to an adult bed frame. The bedside cosleeper lets parents keep an eye on their baby and gives them the freedom to sleep in their own bed. The top cosleepers adhere to strict safety standards and are built 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 crib is dependent on several aspects. It is dependent on how it's installed and secured to the parent's mattress. 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 essential that the attachment system of a bedside crib be tested to verify it is able to withstand the forces 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 corners on the bedside cosleeper should be tested against a horizontal force.
The standard for bedside beds incorporates by reference the federal consumer safety standard for products such as bassinets and cradles (16 CFR part 1218), which includes requirements for the performance of enclosed openings with a fabric-side. The mandatory requirements in the standard also address neck and head entrapment hazards by requiring that after the application and release of 50 lbs. best bedside cots states that after the release and application of 50-lb. It is not permitted to create a gap that is greater than 1.0 in. ASTM's electronic Reading Room offers read-only versions of the standard.
Convenience
While many parents have avoided cosleeping due to fear of suffocation SIDS or the "Ferberization" process that requires children to sleep alone, anthropologists have long noted that most primates and mammals as well as those who live in non-Western societies, have regularly cosleep. This is due to the fact that babies are soothed by hearing their mother's voice, and may also learn to soothe themselves.
The top bedside sleepers have an innovative design that is attached to the side of any bed and can be swiveled for ease of access to feedings in the middle of the night or diaper changes. Find one with feet that are adjustable and retract to accommodate different mattress heights and a large storage compartment to store all of the necessities for your baby.
Choose a bedside sleeper which can fit in with standard crib bedding to be used safely as your child grows. You may also want to think about a convertible model that can transform into a play area or deeper bassinet for a long time of use, and folds easily for travel.
Portability
A bedside cosleeper that has wheels or a lightweight base is much easier to move than one with a heavy wooden frame or a substantial base. The babybay Bedside sleeper, HALO BassiNest Essentia and Snoo Smart Sleeper are all equipped with excellent portability features. Adjustable feet that retract to accommodate platform beds and the legs fold inward for maximum closeness to the mattress and sidewalls made of 100% mesh that allow for ventilation without any material 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 pivots to allow quick access to the baby so that you can soothe her, feed her or check on the baby during the night.