Bedside Baby Beds
Baby cribs that are placed near the bed will allow parents to keep their baby close during the night without any risk to security. They are made to be used by newborns up until 4-6 months.
The Halo Bassinest is a swivel-over-the-parent's-bed with the ability to be lowered so that parents can pick up their newborn during nighttime feedings. However, bedside crib with changing table won't be able to fit under beds less than 4.5 inches high.
Safety features
A bedside baby bed lets parents keep their babies close to them for feedings at night, comforting and monitoring, without having to leave their sleeping arrangements. This type of arrangement is ideal for mothers who are recovering from childbirth, or with limited mobility and may help parents stay relaxed throughout the night. It is essential to think about safety features when purchasing an infant crib.
This type of sleep surface poses a safety concern since it doesn't offer an entirely secure barrier between the sleeping area of the parent and the infant's sleep area. This can lead to gaps that can cause the risk of suffocation for infants. Sharing a bed can increase the body heat of the parent and can increase the risk of overheating. This could result in SIDS.
While some manufacturers claim co-sleepers for bedside use to be safer than cribs, they're not subject to the CPSC safety standards. These products may have slats that permit babies' legs or heads to be trapped and their attachment mechanisms could be unstable and lead to separation.
A lot of these surfaces have loose bedding which could lead to the possibility of suffocation. Babies lack the strength and coordination to untangle their bodies from the soft bedding. The gaps between the mattress and frame can create a suffocation risk. Some of these beddings have a hard bottom that could injure a baby when they fall on it. One user suggested that the CPSC include pictograms in warnings on these products. This will reduce the chance that caregivers miss key elements. Bedside sleepers need to have an easy transition system to prevent the baby from falling off the parent's mattress.
Bedding
A bedside crib, also referred to as a bassinet or co-sleeper allows infants to sleep on their parents' beds while maintaining an independent sleeping space. This form of safe co-sleeping reduces the risks of entrapment, suffocation and Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) by keeping infants close to their parents and within arms' reach for middle-of-the-night feedings or for comforting.
Baby bedding for sleepers beside the bed can include bumpers and crib sheets. They can also include blankets and stuffed animals. Make sure that the bedding you choose is suitable for the bedside sleeping baby properly. This will prevent pockets or bulges from obstructing the baby's airway. Also, ensure that the mattress you purchase for your bedside sleeper is firm and fits comfortably without gaps around the edges.
When choosing a bedding set, look for one that is easy to wash and dry to keep it clean when your child is having accidents or spits up at night. It is also a good idea to think about a travel kit for your bedside sleeper, to make it easy to carry it around when you travel with your family or visit grandparents home.
If your child has outgrown their bedside sleeper, it is possible to transition them to a standalone toddler or crib. When you transition to a crib, remove it from the parents' bed over a period of time, either weeks or months, so that your child can learn to sleep in his own space but remain connected to them. Select a crib which can be folded away for storage and transportation. Some cribs can even be converted into play yard or a larger bassinet. This makes them a great choice for parents who travel often.
Tilt function
A bedside sleeper is a bassinet which is attached to the side of the adult bed and has one side lower than the other and allows parents to reach over to care for their child at night. It may have a tilt feature to help reduce reflux in babies. Many parents report that this feature can help their babies sleep better. It is important to keep in mind that a slanted or elevated, mattress can encourage your baby's chin to the chest position. This can lead to the suffocation of your baby and should be avoided.
A suitable mattress is also crucial in deciding on the crib for your child's bed. It should be firm, flat and breathable. The size should match the dimensions of the crib and fit comfortably in the frame. It is best to purchase an entirely new mattress for the crib, as a second-hand mattress can increase the risk of SIDS. Some retailers offer mattresses made specifically for specific bed frames, therefore it is recommended to use these if possible.
Some cribs for bedside use are designed to tuck under your bed to conserve space and bring your child close, such as the Halo BassiNest. Some beds are too narrow to accommodate this type of crib. The splayed feet of BassiNest make it difficult to slide underneath certain beds. It is also difficult to tuck it under a divan bed which can cause it to slide or sway out of alignment with the mattress.
Other bassinets for bedside use, like the Ingenuity Sleep and Grow Bedside Crib can be set next to your mattress, but they cannot be slanted. CHOICE advises parents to only use these beds with a comfortable, firm mattress. The tilt of a bassinet could cause your child to slide into a dangerous position, increasing their risk of suffocation.
Foot-to-foot position
A bedside crib, also known as a co-sleeper or a bassinet is a crib that is attached to a side of a bed for adults. This lets parents easily access their child during the night. They are usually larger than traditional cots or bassinets, and some have an lower part that creates an elongated barrier between the sleeping spaces. They are typically made of sturdy materials, and many have wheels to make it easy to move throughout the house.
Some cribs with a bedside have tilt functions that can aid babies with digestive issues like reflux or colic. However, it's important to make use of this feature with utmost care and at a gentle angle to avoid the risk of suffocation. Speak to bedside crib vs cot or health professional if you are unsure about using the feature.
The mattress is an additional safety factor to consider when selecting a crib to be your child's bedside. The mattress must be firm, flat and breathable, to lower the risk of SIDS. A mattress that is too soft could lead to a trapped airway, which can be dangerous for babies. A breathable mattress can also aid your child in staying cool during the night, reducing the chance of overheating.
It is recommended that you place your baby in their own secure sleeping space, such as a crib, cot or Moses basket. While it might seem tempting to sleep with your child in a bed, it poses a serious risk of SIDS. You should wait until your baby is able to be able to sleep on his own before trying to sleep with them. If you must ensure that your bedroom is smokefree to safeguard your child from second-hand smoke. Plunket may offer assistance with a bassinet or crib for those with a low income.
Second-hand cribs
Parents looking to save money may be tempted by a used crib, bassinet, or cradle that they get from a family member or friend. Cribs are one of many nursery products that can cause death, especially if older cribs have broken or missing parts, or have wider spaces between the slats. Additionally, older mattresses can create dips and other conditions that can be hazardous for your child. And if a crib is old enough to be predated by current safety regulations the crib could be contaminated by lead paint and may contain other harmful chemicals.
Check if the crib has been recalls on the crib. It's also recommended to verify whether the crib was painted with water-based paint which is safer for babies than phthalic or oil paint. Additionally, ensure that the mattress is sturdy and snugly fits. Soft mattresses can cause babies to fall out, and they also pose a suffocation risk.
In addition to cribs, pay particular attention to any used bassinets, cradles or play yards. All of them should be JPMA-certified and free from sharp edges that could hurt or poke your baby. Avoid putting pillows, toys, or blankets to these products. They could pose an entrapment hazard.
Children have died in cribs that were altered or tampered with. The majority of these deaths were caused by caregivers or parents who attempted to make the cribs more functional or more attractive by adding or altering things. Since 1973, crib makers and the CPSC worked together to establish the standards that are mandatory for safe cribs for infants. These standards dealt with things like side heights, slat spacings corner posts, mattress fits and cutouts for end panels. As a result, crib-related deaths have decreased from 150-200 per year to about 50.