Bedside Cosleeper
A bedside cosleeper attaches to your adult bed. If you stick to the CSPC guidelines for infant sleeping spaces it's secure.
These guidelines are similar to the crib bedding standards. You can learn more about these guidelines here. The most important factors to take into consideration when selecting a bedside sleeper are: Safety, Comfort, and Convenience.
Safety
In keeping with the American Academy of Pediatrics' recommendation that infants sleep in the same bed as their parents cosleeping (a practice also referred to as bed-sharing) has gained popularity with many new and expecting parents. The Academy recommends that room-sharing with a baby is more secure than sleeping in the same bed as parents, as it reduces the risk of Sudden Unexpected Infant Death (SIDS). While the AAP does not recommend bed sharing but does recommend that sleeping with a partner be done on a separate sleeping surface to reduce the risk of SIDS. This is why the introduction of the bedside cosleeper was important for many families.
A bedside cosleeper attaches to a bed frame for adults. It is similar to a crib sleeper. The bedside cosleeper enables parents to easily monitor their little one, and it gives them the freedom of a bed while keeping their child close by. The best cosleepers are built using high-quality materials and adhere to stringent safety standards. To ensure the safety of your child, 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 is contingent on a variety of factors that include the way it is set up and attached to the parent's bed. It is essential that the bedside cosleeper be secured to the mattress of the parent in a way that does not create gaps and spaces where an infant could become trapped. This can pose a suffocation risk. It is vital that the attachment system used for a bedside sleeper be tested to ensure that it is able to withstand any forces that are applied during use, for example the parent bouncing on and off the sleeper. horizontal force applied to the attachment system or to the corners of the bedside cosleeper.
The voluntary standard for bedside sleeping cribs incorporates, by reference, the federal consumer product safety standards for bassinets (16 CFR part 1218) and the requirements for performance for closed fabric openings. The standard's mandatory requirements also address the danger of head and neck traps by requiring after application, and release the 50-lb. The standard also states that following the application and release of 50-lb. It is not permitted to create a gap larger than 1.0 in. ASTM's electronic Reading Room offers read-only versions of the standard.
bedside crib to cot are reluctant to cosleep because they fear being suffocated or SIDS or because it's an "Ferberization" which requires children to be in a room by themselves. Anthropologists have observed for a long time that a lot of mammals, primates and people from non-Western cultures sleep often. 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 designs that are attached to the sides of any mattress and can swivel so that you can easily access it for feedings or diaper changes during the middle of the night. Choose a model that has adjustable feet that retract to accommodate different sizes of mattresses. It should also have a large storage area for all of your baby's essentials.
Select a bedside sleeper that fits standard crib bedding, so it is safe to use as your child grows. Think about a model that's convertible and can be used as a play yard, or a deeper bassinet. It will last for many years.
Portability
Depending on the size of your bedroom a bedside cosleeper with wheels and/or a lightweight base could be more convenient to move around your home 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 accommodate platform beds and legs fold inwards for maximum closeness to the mattress and sidewalls made of 100% mesh that let airflow without fabric covering baby's nose or mouth.
The Arm's Reach ClearVue is an excellent choice. It adjusts in 1" increments and can be used as a bassinet, or a portable bed. It also swivels to allow for easy access to your baby so that you can soothe her, feed her or check on them during the night.