Bedside Cosleeper

A bedside cosleeper is a bassinet that attaches to the side of your adult bed. It's safe as long as you comply with the CSPC safety guidelines for infant sleep spaces.

These guidelines are very similar to crib bedding standards. Read more about the guidelines here. When selecting a bedside sleep device safety, comfort, and ease of use are the primary factors to consider.

Safety

In accordance with the American Academy of Pediatrics' recommendation that infants are in the same room with their parents cosleeping (a method that is sometimes referred to as bed-sharing) is becoming popular with many new and expecting parents. The Academy says that sharing a room 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 discourages bed-sharing however, it does recommend that cosleeping be done on a separate sleeping surface to reduce the risk of SIDS. This is why the introduction of the bedside cosleeper was important to many families.

A bedside cosleeper is a crib-like sleeper that can be attached to an adult bed frame. The bedside crib and cot cosleeper lets parents to monitor their child and gives them the ability to move around in a bed while keeping their child close by. The most reliable cosleepers are made with high-quality materials and meet strict safety standards. Be sure to look for the Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association (JPMA) stamp of approval, which confirms rigorous product testing and quality control, to ensure your child's secure cosleeping experience.

The safety of a bedside cosleeper is contingent on a variety of factors, including the manner in which it is put up and connected to the parent's bed. It is important that the bedside crib to cot sleeper be attached to the parent's mattress in a way that does not create gaps and spaces where the infant may be trapped. This could pose an entrapment risk. It is essential that the attachment system of a bedside sleeper be tested to ensure that it can withstand forces that may be applied during use, such as the parent moving on and off the sleeper. The attachment system, or the corners on the bedside cosleeper must be tested against a horizontal force.

The voluntary standard for bedside sleeping cribs incorporates, as a reference to the federal consumer safety standards for bassinets (16 CFR part 1218) which includes specifications for the performance of closed openings. The standard's mandatory requirements also address the danger of neck and head entrapment by requiring that, after the application and release the 50-lb. The standard also states that following the application and release of a 50-lb. cannot be created. Only read-only copies of the standard can be accessed at ASTM's online Reading Room.

Convenience

Many parents are reluctant to cosleep because they are afraid of the risk of suffocation, or SIDS or because it's an "Ferberization" which requires children to be in a room by themselves. However, anthropologists have noted for years that many primates, mammals, and people from other cultures sleep often. This is because babies are soothed by hearing their mother's voice, and can also learn to self-soothe.

The best bedside sleepers come with clever design that can be attached to the sides of any bed and pivots to allow ease of access to feedings in the middle of the night or diaper changes. Find one with adjustable feet that retract to accommodate different mattress heights and a large storage compartment for all your baby's necessities.

Select a bedside cot reviews sleeper that is compatible with the standard crib bedding to be used in a safe manner as your child grows. You may also want to think about an adjustable model that can transform into a play yard or a more deep bassinet for years of use, and folds easily to travel.

Portability

Based on the size of your bedroom, a bedside cosleeper with wheels and/or a lightweight base may be more convenient to move around your home than one with frames made of wood or a substantial base. The babybay bedside sleeper HALO bassiNest essencetia, as well as Snoo Smart Sleeper are all portable. They come with feet that can be adjusted that can be retracted to accommodate platforms and legs that fold inward so that they are in close proximity to the mattress; and 100 mesh sidewalls that allow ventilation without fabric covering baby's mouth or nose.

The Arm's Reach ClearVue is an excellent option. It adjusts in 1" increments and can be used as a bassinet, or a portable bed. It also swivels to allow the baby to be easily accessible so that you can soothe and nurse her or check on her at night.