Bedside Cosleeper
A bedside cosleeper is attached to your adult bed. As long as you adhere to the CSPC guidelines for sleeping areas for infants, it's safe.
These guidelines are similar 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 sleeper are Safety Comfort, Convenience, and Safety.
Safety
Many new parents and expectant mothers have chosen to cosleep, 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 recommends that room-sharing with a baby is more secure than sleeping in the same bed with parents, as it reduces the chance of Sudden Unexpected Infant Death (SIDS). The AAP does not recommend bed-sharing however, it does suggest that sleeping on separate sleeping surfaces is a good way to reduce the risk of SIDS. This is why the introduction of the bedside cosleeper became so important for many families.
A bedside cosleeper is attached to a bed frame for adults. It is a crib like sleeper. The bedside cosleeper allows parents to monitor the baby and allows the baby the ability to sleep in their own bed. The most reliable cosleepers are made using high-quality materials and meet strict safety standards. Look for the Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association (JPMA) stamp of approval, which indicates strict product testing and quality control, to ensure your child's secure cosleeping experience.
The safety of a crib is dependent on several factors. It is dependent on how it's set up and secured onto the parent's mattress. It is crucial that the bedside cosleeper is secured to the mattress of the parent in a way that eliminates gaps and spaces, in which the infant may be trapped. This could pose a suffocation risk. It is crucial that the attachment system of a bedside crib be examined to determine if 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 a 25-lb. horizontal force applied to the attachment system or the corners of the bedside cosleeper.
The voluntary standard for bedside cribs is based on, the federal consumer product safety standards for bassinets (16 CFR part 1218), including specifications for the performance of closed openings. The standard's mandatory requirements tackle the issue of head and neck imprisonment by requiring that after the application, release the 50-lb. horizontal force at the attachment systems and corners of the bedside sleeper a gap larger than 1.0 in. is not allowed to be created. Read-only copies of the standard can be found at ASTM's electronic Reading Room.
Convenience
Many parents avoid cosleeping because they are afraid of suffocation or SIDS, or because it is an act of "Ferberization", which forces children to be in a room by themselves. However, anthropologists have noted for years that a lot of mammals, primates and people from non-Western cultures cosleep frequently. This is because babies are soothed when they hear their mother's voice. They may also learn to soothe themselves.
The best bedside sleepers have an innovative design that is attached 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. Find one with feet that are adjustable and retract to accommodate different mattress heights and a large storage compartment for all your baby's necessities.
Choose a bedside sleeper that will fit the standard crib bedding, so that it is safe to use as your child grows. You may also want to consider a convertible model that can transform into a play yard or a more deep bassinet for years of use. It folds easily for transport.
Portability
A bedside cosleeper that has wheels or a lightweight base is much easier to move than one with a bulky wooden frame or 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 to ensure maximum proximity to the mattress; and 100% mesh sidewalls that allow for air circulation without material covering baby's mouth or nose.
baby bedside co sleeper is a great option. It adjusts in 1" increments and can be used as a bassinet, or a portable bed. It also rotates, allowing the baby to be easily accessible so that you can soothe, nurse or check on her during the night.