Is Bedside Cosleeper The Best Thing There Ever Was?
Bedside Cosleeper
A bedside cosleeper is a bassinet that is attached to the side of your adult bed. It's safe, so long as you comply with the CSPC safety guidelines for infant sleeping spaces.
These guidelines are similar to the crib bedding standards. Find out more about the guidelines here. When selecting a bedside sleeping device security, comfort and ease of use are the primary factors to consider.
Safety
In line with the American Academy of Pediatrics' recommendation that infants sleep in the same bed as their parents, cosleeping (a practice also referred to as bed-sharing) is becoming popular with a lot of new and expecting parents. The Academy states that room-sharing is more secure than sleeping with an infant in the same bed as it reduces instances of Sudden Unexpected Death in Infancy, or SIDS. bedside cot for twins does not recommend bed-sharing however it does suggest that sleeping on a separate sleeping surface is a good way to lower the risk of SIDS. This is the reason why the creation of the bedside cosleeper became so important to many families.
A bedside cosleeper attaches to a bed frame for adults. It is an equivalent of a crib-style sleeper. The bedside cosleeper allows parents to easily monitor their baby and gives them the ability to move around in an adult bed while keeping their child close by. The most reliable cosleepers are made with high-quality materials and adhere to strict safety standards. Check for the Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association (JPMA) stamp of approval, which indicates rigorous testing of the product and quality control, to ensure your child's safety cosleeping experience.
The safety of a bedside cosleeper depends on several factors, including the manner in which it is put up and attached to the parent's bed. If the bedside cosleeper is not connected to the bed of the parent in a way that blocks the gaps and spaces where the infant can get trapped, it could create a suffocation hazard. It is crucial that the attachment system of a bedside sleeper be tested to verify it can withstand the force that could be imposed during use, such as a parent rolling onto and off of the sleeper or a 25-lb. The attachment system or corners on the bedside cosleeper must be tested against a horizontal force.
The standard that is voluntary for bedside sleepers incorporates by reference the federal consumer safety standard for products such as bassinets and cradles (16 CFR part 1218) and includes performance requirements for fabric-sided enclosed openings. The requirements that are mandatory in the standard also address head and neck entrapment hazards by insisting that following the application and release of 50-lb. horizontal force in the vicinity of the attachment systems and corners of the bedside sleeper, an opening larger than 1.0 in. It is not allowed to create a gap greater than 1.0 in. Only read-only copies of the standard can be obtained from ASTM's online Reading Room.
Convenience
Many parents avoid cosleeping because they are afraid of the risk of suffocation, or SIDS, or because it's a "Ferberization" that forces children to sleep on their own. Anthropologists have noted for years that a lot of mammals, primates, and people from non-Western cultures cosleep often. This is due to the fact that babies are soothed by hearing their mother's voice, and can also learn to self-soothe.
The top bedside sleepers have a smart design that attaches to the side of any bed and swivels for easy access for middle-of-the-night feedings or diaper changes. Choose a model that has adjustable feet that retract to accommodate different sizes of mattresses. It should also have an ample storage area to store all the baby's necessities.
Pick a bedside crib that fits standard crib bedding to be used safely as your child grows. You might also think about a convertible model that could transform into a play yard or a deeper bassinet for a long time of use, and folds up easily for travel.
Portability
Depending on the size of your bedroom a bedside sleeping system with wheels and/or a lightweight base could be easier to move around your home than one with a heavy wood frame or substantial base. The babybay bedside sleeping system, HALO bassiNest essencetia, and Snoo Smart Sleeper are all portable. They come with adjustable feet that can be retracted to accommodate platform mattresses and legs that fold up so that they are in close proximity to the mattress; 100% mesh sidewalls to allow airflow without covering baby's nose or mouth.
The Arm's Reach ClearVue is a top choice. It adjusts in 1" increments and can be used as a bassinet, or a portable bed. It also swivels, allowing the baby to be easily accessible to comfort your baby, nurse or monitor her throughout the night.