Bedside Cosleeper
A bedside sleeper is attached to your adult bed. If you stick to the CSPC guidelines for sleeping spaces for infants, it's safe.
These guidelines are similar in many ways to crib bedding standards. You can learn more about these guidelines here. The most important features to consider when selecting the right bedside sleeper are Safety as well as comfort and convenience.
Safety
Many new parents and expectant mothers have adopted cosleeping which is also known as bed-sharing, in line with the American Academy of Pediatrics recommendation that infants should be in the same room as their parents. The Academy states that room-sharing with a baby is safer than sleeping in the same bed as a parent because it reduces the chance 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 development of the bedside cosleeper was important to many families.
A bedside cosleeper is a similar to a crib sleeper that attaches to an adult bed frame. bedside travel crib allows parents to monitor the baby and gives them the option of sleeping in their own bed. The most reliable cosleepers are made using high-quality materials and adhere to strict safety standards. Check for the Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association (JPMA) stamp of approval, which demonstrates rigorous product testing and quality control to ensure your child's safety cosleeping experience.
The security of a cosleeper for the bed depends on several factors, including the way it is set up and connected to the parent's bed. It is important that the bedside sleeper be secured to the mattress of the parent in a way that does not create gaps and spaces, in which an infant could become trapped. This can pose the risk of suffocation. It is crucial that the attachment system of a bedside crib be tested to verify it is able to withstand the forces that could be imposed during the course of use, for example, the parent rolling on and off of the sleeper or a 25-lb. The attachment system or corners on the bedside cosleeper must be subjected to an upward force.
The standard that is voluntary for bedside sleepers includes by reference to the federal consumer safety standard for bassinets and cradles (16 CFR part 1218) that includes requirements for performance for enclosed openings made of fabric. The mandatory requirements of the standard also address neck and head entrapment hazards by requiring that, following the application and release of 50 lbs. The standard also requires that after the release and application of 50-lb. must not be created. ASTM's electronic Reading Room offers read-only versions of the standard.
Convenience
Many parents have resisted cosleeping due to fear of suffocation, SIDS or the "Ferberization" process that makes children to sleep alone Anthropologists have noted that mammals and primates, as well as people living in non-Western societies, frequently cosleep. This may be because infants are calmed by the familiar voice of their mother and it may also help to practice self-soothing.
The best bedside sleepers have a clever design that attaches to the side of a mattress and pivots so that you can access it easily to change diapers or feeds during the middle of the night. Look for a model with adjustable feet, which retract to accommodate different sizes of mattresses. It should also come with a large storage area for all the baby's necessities.
Choose a bedside crib that will fit standard crib bedding, so it's safe to use as your child grows. You might also consider an adjustable model that can transform into a play area or a deeper bassinet to last for years of use. It folds easily for travel.
Portability
A bedside cosleeper with wheels or a base that is lightweight is much easier to move than one with a bulky wooden frame or a substantial base. The babybay Bedside sleeper, HALO BassiNest Essentia and Snoo Smart Sleeper are all equipped with great portability features: adjustable feet retract to accommodate platforms; legs fold inward to give the most comfortable closeness to the mattress and a sides made of 100% mesh to allow for air circulation without fabric covering baby's nose or mouth.
The Arm's Reach ClearVue is an excellent option. It adjusts in 1" increments and can be used as a bassinet or portable bed. It also swivels to allow for quick access to baby to comfort, nurse or check on her throughout the night.