Seven Reasons To Explain Why Bedside Cosleeper Is Important
Bedside Cosleeper
A bedside sleeper is attached to your adult bed. As long as you adhere to the CSPC guidelines for sleeping spaces for infants, it's safe.
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, Comfort, and Convenience.
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 with many new and expecting parents. The Academy says that sharing rooms is safer than sleeping with a baby in the same bed as it decreases the risk of Sudden Unexpected Death in Infants, or SIDS. The AAP does not advocate bed-sharing but it does suggest that sleeping on a separate sleeping surface is a good option to decrease the risk of SIDS. This is why the introduction of the bedside cosleeper was so crucial for many families.
A bedside cosleeper can be described as a crib-like sleeper that attaches to an adult bed frame. The bedside cosleeper enables parents to easily keep an eye on their child and allows them the ability to move around in sleeping in a bed while keeping their child close to them. The most reliable cosleepers meet strict safety standards and are built with sturdy, high-quality materials. Look for the Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association (JPMA) stamp of approval, which confirms strict product testing and quality controls, to ensure your child's safety cosleeping experience.
The safety of a bedside sleeper depends on several aspects that include how it is installed and attached to the parent's bed. It is crucial that the bedside sleeper be attached to the parent's mattress in a way that does not create gaps and spaces where an infant could be trapped. This can pose an entrapment risk. It is vital that the attachment system used for the bedside sleeper is examined to make sure that it can withstand any forces that are imposed to it during use, like the parent rolling on and off the sleeper. The attachment system or corners on the bedside cosleeper must be exposed to an upward force.
The voluntary standard for bedside sleepers includes by reference the federal consumer safety standard for bassinets and cradles (16 CFR part 1218) and includes requirements for performance for enclosed openings with a fabric-side. The mandatory requirements in the standard also address neck and head dangers through requiring that after the application and release of 50-lb. horizontal force at the attachment system and the corners of the bedside sleeping device, an opening larger than 1.0 in. It is not permitted to create a gap that is greater than 1.0 in. 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 suffocation or SIDS or because it's an act of "Ferberization" which requires children to sleep alone. Anthropologists have noted for years that many mammals, primates and people from non-Western cultures cosleep regularly. This is because babies are soothed when they hear their mother's voice, and they also learn to self-soothe.
The top bedside sleepers have an innovative design that is attached to the sides of any bed and swivels for ease of access to feedings in the middle of the night or diaper changes. Look for a model with adjustable feet that retract to accommodate different sizes of mattresses. It should also come with a large storage area for all of your baby's essentials.
Choose a bedside sleeper that will fit the standard crib bedding, so that it is safe to use as your child grows. Look for a model that is convertible and can be used as a play area 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 lightweight base might be easier to move around your home than one with an imposing wood frame or massive base. The Babybay Bedside Sleeper, HALO BassiNest Essentia and Snoo Smart Sleeper are all equipped with amazing portability features. baby bedside co sleeper retract to accommodate platform beds and legs fold inwards for maximum closeness to the mattress and a sides made of 100% mesh to let airflow without material 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 pivots to give you quick access to the baby to comfort her, nurse her, or check on them during the night.