Bedside Cosleeper
A bedside sleeper is attached to your adult bed. It's safe, so long as you follow the CSPC safety guidelines for infant sleeping spaces.
These guidelines are similar to crib bedding standards. You can read more about these guidelines here. The most important aspects to consider when choosing a bedside sleeper are: Safety as well as comfort and convenience.
Safety
In keeping with the American Academy of Pediatrics' recommendation that infants are in the same room as their parents cosleeping (a method that is sometimes referred to as bed-sharing) is becoming popular among many expecting and new parents. The Academy states that room-sharing is more secure than sleeping with babies in the same bed as it decreases the risk of Sudden Unexpected Death in Infants, or SIDS. The AAP does not recommend bed-sharing but it does suggest that sleeping on a separate sleeping surface is a good way to lower the risk of SIDS. The development of the bedside crib was important for a number of families.
A bedside cosleeper is a similar to a crib sleeper that is attached to an adult bed frame. The bedside cosleeper lets parents keep an eye on the baby, and also gives the baby the ability to sleep in their own bed. The top cosleepers adhere to strict safety standards and are built with durable, high-quality components. To ensure your child's safety be sure to look for the Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association stamp of approval. This confirms rigorous testing and quality control.
The safety of a cosleeper is contingent on a variety of factors. This includes how it's set up and secured onto the parent's mattress. If the bedside sleeper is not connected to the parent's bed in a way that blocks the gaps and spaces where an infant could be trapped, it could pose an hazard of suffocation. It is crucial that the attachment system of a bedside cosleeper be tested to verify it can withstand the forces that might be imposed in the course of use, for example, the parent rolling on and off of the sleeper or a 25-lb. horizontal force applied to the attachment system or to the corners of the bedside cosleeper.
The standard for bedside sleepers includes by reference the federal consumer product safety standard for bassinets and cradles (16 CFR part 1218), which includes performance requirements for enclosed openings made of fabric. 4-in-1 bedside crib tackle the issue of head and neck entrapment by requiring that, after application, and release a 50-lb. horizontal force near the attachment systems and at the corners of the bedside sleeping device, an opening that is greater than 1.0 in. It is not allowed to create a gap that is greater than 1.0 in. bedside co sleeper offers read-only versions of the standard.
Convenience
Many parents have resisted cosleeping due to fear of suffocation, SIDS or the "Ferberization" process that forces children to sleep on their own Anthropologists have noted that most primates and mammals as well as those who live in non-Western societies, have regularly co-slept. This may be because infants are comforted by the familiar voice of their mother and it also helps them practice self-soothing.
The best bedside sleepers feature clever design that can be attached to the sides of any bed and can be swiveled for easy access for middle-of-the-night feedings or diaper changes. Find one with feet that are adjustable and retract to accommodate different mattress sizes and a huge storage compartment to store all of your baby's needs.
Select a bedside sleeper that fits the standard crib bedding, so that it will be safe to use as your child grows. Consider a model that is convertible and can be used as a play yard or a bassinet that is deeper. It will last for a long time.
Portability
Depending on the size of your bedroom a bedside sleeper with wheels and/or a light base might be more convenient to move around your home than one with a heavy wood frame or massive base. The babybay Bedside Sleeper, HALO BassiNest Essentia and Snoo Smart Sleeper all have amazing portability features. The adjustable feet retract to accommodate platform beds; legs fold inward to give the most comfortable closeness to the mattress and a 100% mesh sidewalls that allow for air circulation without fabric covering baby's mouth or nose.
The Arm's Reach Clear-Vue is another popular option that adjusts in 1" increments to fit most adult beds. It can also function as an portable bassinet. It also pivots to allow for quick access to the baby so that you can help her relax, nurse her, or check on the baby during the night.