Bedside Cosleeper

A bedside cosleeper is a bassinet which connects to the side of your adult bed. It's safe, so long as you follow the CSPC safety guidelines for infant sleep spaces.

These guidelines are very similar to crib bedding standards. Read more about the guidelines here. When selecting a bedside sleep device safety, comfort, and convenience are the most important factors to consider.

Safety

Many new parents and expecting mothers have chosen to cosleep or bed-sharing, as per the American Academy of Pediatrics recommendation that infants should be in the same room as their parents. The Academy notes that room-sharing is more secure than sleeping with an infant in the same bed as it decreases the risk of Sudden Unexpected Death in Infancy, or SIDS. The AAP does not recommend bed-sharing however, it does recommend that co-sleeping on a separate sleeping surface is a good way to lower the risk of SIDS. This is why the development of the bedside cosleeper was so important to many families.

A bedside cosleeper attaches to a bed frame designed for adults. It is a crib like sleeper. The bedside cosleeper lets parents keep an eye on their baby and allows them the option of sleeping in their own bed. The best cosleepers are built with high-quality materials and adhere to strict safety standards. Look for the Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association (JPMA) stamp of approval, which demonstrates rigorous testing of the product and quality control to ensure your child's secure cosleeping experience.

The safety of a crib is dependent on several aspects. This includes the way it's put in place and secured onto the parent's mattress. It is essential that the bedside cosleeper is secured to the mattress of the parent in a way that eliminates gaps and spaces where an infant could be trapped. This can pose a suffocation risk. It is vital that the attachment system of the amazon bedside cot sleeper is tested in order to ensure that it can withstand any forces that are applied to it during use, like the parent rolling on and off the sleeper. The attachment system, or the corners on the bedside cosleeper must be tested against an upward force.

The standard for bedside sleeper cot cribs is based on, the federal consumer safety standards for bassinets (16 CFR part 1218), including the requirements for performance for closed fabric openings. The standard's requirements for mandatory compliance tackle the issue of neck and head entrapment by requiring that, after application, and release a 50-lb. horizontal force in the vicinity of the attachment systems and corners of the bedside sleeper gaps larger than 1.0 in. It is not permitted to create a gap greater than 1.0 in. ASTM's electronic Reading Room offers read-only versions of the standard.

Convenience

While many parents have avoided cosleeping because of fears of suffocation SIDS or the "Ferberization" process that makes children to sleep alone, anthropologists have long noted that most primates and mammals and people living in non-Western societies, frequently cosleep. It could be because infants are calmed by the familiar voice of their mother and it also helps to practice self-soothing.

The top bedside travel crib sleepers have clever design that can be attached to the side of any bed and pivots to allow easy access for feedings during the night or diaper changes. Choose one with feet that can be adjusted to retract to accommodate various mattress sizes, and a big storage space for all of your baby's necessities.

Select a bedside sleeper that can fit in with the standard crib bedding so that it can be used in a safe manner as your child grows. Look for a model that is convertible and can be used as a play area or a more substantial bassinet. It will last for a long time.

Portability

A bedside cosleeper that has wheels or a lightweight base is more portable than one with a heavy wooden frame or base. The Babybay Bedside Sleeper, HALO BassiNest Essentia and Snoo Smart Sleeper all have amazing portability features. The adjustable feet retract to accommodate platforms and legs fold inwards for maximum closeness to the mattress; and 100% mesh sidewalls that allow for Bedside cosleeper air circulation without 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 swivels to allow for quick access to the baby to soothe her, feed her or check on them during the night.