Bedside Cosleeper

A bedside cosleeper is a bassinet which attaches to the side of your adult bed. As long as you adhere to the CSPC guidelines for infant sleeping spaces it's secure.

These guidelines are similar in many ways to crib bedding standards. You can learn more about these guidelines here. The most important aspects to take into consideration when selecting the best bedside rocking crib sleeper are Safety Comfort, Convenience, and Safety.

Safety

In keeping with the American Academy of Pediatrics' recommendation that infants sleep in the same bed as their parents cosleeping (a practice that is also known as bed-sharing) is becoming popular with many new and expecting parents. The Academy recommends that room-sharing with a baby is safer than sleeping in the same bed as parents, as it reduces the chance of Sudden Unexpected Infant Death (SIDS). The AAP does not advocate bed-sharing however it does suggest that co-sleeping on separate sleeping surfaces is a good option to decrease the risk of SIDS. This is why the development of the bedside cosleeper was so important to many families.

A bedside cosleeper is a crib-like sleeper that is attached to an adult bed frame. The small bedside cot cosleeper enables parents to easily keep an eye on their little one, and it gives them the freedom of sleeping in a bed while keeping their baby close by. The most reliable cosleepers meet strict safety standards and are constructed with durable, high-quality components. To ensure the safety of your child ensure that you look for the Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association stamp of approval. This is a sign of rigorous testing and quality control.

The safety of a bedside cosleeper depends on several factors that include the manner in which it is put up and secured to the parent's bed. It is crucial that the bedside sleeper be secured to the mattress of the parent in a manner that prevents gaps and spaces, in which an infant could be trapped. This could pose an entrapment risk. It is essential that the attachment system of the bedside sleeper be examined to make sure that it can withstand forces that may be applied during use, for bedside cosleeper example the parent bouncing on and off the sleeper. The attachment system or the corners on the bedside cosleeper must be tested against an upward force.

The voluntary standard for bedside crib to cot cribs incorporates, as a reference to the federal consumer product safety standards for bassinets (16 CFR part 1218) which includes performance requirements for fabric-sided closed openings. The mandatory requirements of the standard also address neck and head dangers through requiring that after the application and release of a 50-lb. horizontal force at the attachment systems and corners of the bedside sleeper an opening larger than 1.0 in. cannot be created. The standard is not available for reading. can be found at ASTM's electronic Reading Room.

Convenience

Many parents have resisted cosleeping for fear of suffocation, SIDS or bedside cosleeper the "Ferberization" process that makes children to sleep on their own Anthropologists have long observed that the majority of mammals and primates, as well as people living in non-Western societies, frequently co-slept. It could be because infants are calmed by the familiar voice of their mother, and it can also help them learn to self-soothe.

The top bedside sleepers have clever design that can be attached to the side of a bed and swivels for easy access for feedings during the night or diaper changes. Find one with feet that can be adjusted to retract to accommodate different mattress sizes and a huge storage compartment for all your baby's necessities.

Select a bedside cot used sleeper that is compatible with the standard crib bedding, so that it's safe to use as your child grows. You may also want to consider an adjustable model that can transform into a play yard or deeper bassinet to last for years of use, and folds up easily for transport.

Portability

Based on the size of your bedroom, a bedside cosleeper with wheels and/or a lightweight base might be more convenient to move around the house than one with a heavy wood frame or large base. The Babybay Bedside Sleeper, HALO BassiNest Essentia and Snoo Smart Sleeper all come with excellent portability features. Adjustable feet that retract to fit platforms and the legs fold inward for maximum closeness to the mattress and a sides made of 100% mesh to allow for air circulation without fabric covering baby's mouth or nose.

The Arm's Reach ClearVue is another top choice that adjusts in 1" increments to fit in most adult beds. It can also function as a portable bassinet. It also swivels to allow for easy access to your baby so that you can soothe her, feed her, or monitor them during the night.