Bedside Cosleeper
A bedside cosleeper can be described as a bassinet that attaches to the side of your adult bed. It's safe, as long as you follow the CSPC safety guidelines for infant sleep spaces.
These guidelines are similar to the crib bedding standards. You can read more about these guidelines here. The most important aspects to take into consideration when selecting the right bedside sleeper are Safety Comfort, Convenience, and Safety.
Safety
In keeping with the American Academy of Pediatrics' recommendation that infants sleep in the same room as their parents cosleeping (a practice that is also known as bed-sharing) has become popular among many expecting and new parents. The Academy notes that room-sharing is safer than sleeping with an infant in the same bed as it decreases the risk of Sudden Unexpected Death in Infancy, or SIDS. While the AAP disapproves of bed sharing but does recommend that cosleeping be done on a separate sleeping surface to reduce the risk of SIDS. The creation of the bedside crib was essential for a number of families.
Cots For Tots is a crib-like sleeper that can be attached to an adult bed frame. The bedside cosleeper lets parents to easily keep an eye on their baby and allows parents the freedom of a bed while keeping their child close to them. The most reliable cosleepers are made using high-quality materials and adhere to strict safety standards. Be sure to look for the Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association (JPMA) stamp of approval, which demonstrates rigorous product testing and quality control to ensure your child's secure cosleeping experience.
The safety of a crib is dependent on several aspects. This includes how it's installed and secured onto the parent's mattress. It is crucial that the bedside cosleeper be attached to the parent's mattress in a manner that prevents gaps and spaces, in which an infant could be trapped. This could pose an entrapment risk. It is important that the attachment system of a bedside crib be tested to verify it is able to withstand the forces that could be imposed during use, such as parents rolling onto and off of the sleeper or 25-pound. The attachment system or corners on the bedside cosleeper must be subjected to an upward force.
The standard for bedside sleepers includes by reference to the federal consumer safety standard for bassinets and cradles (16 CFR part 1218), which includes performance requirements for enclosed openings made of fabric. The mandatory requirements of the standard also address neck and head dangers through requiring that, following the application and release of a 50-lb. The standard also stipulates that following the release and application of a 50-lb. is not allowed to be created. Read-only copies of the standard can be accessed at ASTM's online Reading Room.
Convenience
Many parents do not allow cosleeping because they fear being suffocated or SIDS, or because it's a "Ferberization" that forces children to be in a room by themselves. However, anthropologists have noted for years that many primates, mammals, and people from non-Western cultures sleep frequently. This could be due to the fact that infants are comforted by the familiar voice of their mother and it also helps them learn to self-soothe.
The best bedside sleepers have a clever design that attaches on the side of any mattress and pivots so that you can access it easily for feedings or diaper changes during the middle of the night. Look for a model with adjustable feet that retract to accommodate different mattress sizes. It should also have a large storage area for everything your baby needs.
Select a bedside sleeper that is compatible with standard crib bedding so that it can be used safely as your child grows. You may also want to consider a convertible model that could transform into a play yard or deeper bassinet for years of use, and folds easily for travel.
Portability
Depending on the dimensions of your bedroom, a bedside sleeping system with wheels and/or a light base might be easier to move around the house than one with an imposing wood frame or substantial base. The babybay bedside sleeper, HALO bassiNest essencetia, and Snoo Smart Sleeper are all portable. They come with adjustable feet that retract to accommodate platforms and legs that fold up so that they are in close proximity to the mattress; and 100 mesh sidewalls that allow airflow without covering baby's mouth or nose.
The Arm's Reach ClearVue is a great option. 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 to soothe her, feed her, or monitor them at night.