What Is Bedside Baby Bed And How To Use It
Bedside Baby Beds
Baby cribs for bedside use allow parents to keep their baby close during the night without compromising on safety. They are designed for newborns and are suitable for use up to 4-6 months.
The Halo Bassinest swivels over the parent's bed and comes with a push-down feature that allows parents to take their newborn baby in for feedings in the middle of the night. The base is not suitable under beds lower than 4.5" high.
Safety features
A bedside baby bed lets parents keep their infants close for nighttime feedings, comforting, and monitoring without leaving their own beds. This sleep arrangement is ideal for new mothers recovering from childbirth, or who are unable to move around. It can help parents remain more relaxed throughout the night. However, it is important to evaluate safety features before purchasing a crib for your baby.
The main safety issue with this type of sleep surface is that it's not a complete barrier between the bed of the parent and the infant sleeping area and can result in gaps that could lead to the risk of suffocation for infants. In addition sharing a bed with a child increases the body heat of the parent and increases the risk of overheating which can contribute to SIDS.
Although some manufacturers claim that bedside co-sleepers are more secure than traditional cribs, they are not subject to the safety standards of the CPSC. These products may have slats that permit a baby's head or legs to be trapped, and their attachment mechanisms could be unstable and cause separation.
A lot of these surfaces have bedding that is loose that could cause the risk of suffocation. Babies lack the muscle or coordination to remove themselves from the tangles of soft bedding, and the gaps between the frame and the mattress can create a suffocation hazard. Some of these products have a hard base that could cause injuries to a child if they fall upon it. One commenter suggested the CPSC include pictograms as warnings on these products. This will reduce the chance that caregivers miss key elements. Moreover, bedside sleepers must have a smooth transition mechanism to keep the baby from falling off the bed of their parents.
Bedding
A bedside crib (also known as a bassinet or co-sleeper) allows babies to sleep next to their parents' beds while still occupying a separate space. This type of safe co-sleeping reduces the risks of entrapment, suffocation, and Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) by keeping babies close to their parents and within arms' reach for middle-of-the-night feedings or comforting.
Baby bedding for a baby who sleeps at night could include crib sheets blankets, bumpers and stuffed animals. Make sure the bedding you choose fits the bedside sleeping baby properly. This will prevent pockets or bulges from obstructing the baby's airway. Make sure the mattress you choose for your bedside sleeping baby is firm and firmly fitted without any gaps around the edges.
When selecting bedding sets, look for one that is easy to wash and dry so that you can keep it clean when your infant is having accidents or spits up in the night. Consider an item for travel to make it easier to pack and take your bedside sleeper out of the bag when you're on vacation or visiting grandparents.
If your child has outgrown their bedside sleeper, you are able to move them to a separate toddler or crib. When transitioning, be sure to remove the crib from the bed of your parent over several months or weeks so that your child can become comfortable sleeping in their own space, while still being a part of their parents. Pick a crib that is able to be folded for storage and transport. Certain models can be transformed into a play area or a more substantial bassinet. This makes them an ideal option for parents with young children who love to travel.
Tilt function
A bedside sleeper, sometimes referred to as a bassinet, is a piece of furniture attached to the bed's side for adults. One side is lower than the other side to enable parents to reach their baby at night. It may also have tilt features that help ease reflux in infants. Some parents feel this feature helps their baby sleep more comfortably. However it is crucial to note that a sloped or elevated sleeping surface can encourage your baby to sleep in a risky chest-to-chin position. This could result in suffocation and should be avoided.
The choice of a mattress is a further important factor to consider when choosing a bedside crib. bedside crib and cot should be firm and flat as well as ventilated. The size should match the dimensions of the crib and fit snugly in the frame. It is recommended to buy an entirely new mattress for the crib since a second-hand one could increase the chance of SIDS. Some retailers offer mattresses designed for specific bed frames, so it is best to use these if possible.
Some cribs for bedside use, such as the Halo BassiNest, are designed to be tucked under your bed in order to save space while bringing your child closer. However some beds are too low for this kind of crib. Additionally, the BassiNest's splayed legs make it difficult to slide underneath certain beds. It is also a challenge to place it under a divan bed, which can cause it to slide or sway out of alignment with the mattress.
Other types of bedside cribs such as the Ingenuity Dream & Grow Bedside Bassinet, can be set up beside your mattress, but they aren't in a position to tilt. CHOICE suggests that parents only use these beds if they have a firm and breathable mattress. The tilt of a bassinet can encourage your child to roll into a dangerous position, increasing their chance of dying.
Foot-to-foot positioning
A bedside crib, also referred to as a co-sleeper or a bassinet is a crib attached to the side of a bed for adults. This allows parents to easily access their child during the night. These beds are usually larger than the standard cots and bassinets. Some have a lower edge that creates a barrier between the sleeping areas. They are usually made of durable materials, and a lot of them have wheels for easy transport throughout the home.
Some bedside cribs have tilt functions which can assist children with digestive issues such as colic or reflux. But, it's crucial to make use of this feature with utmost care and at a very gentle angle to avoid the risk of the risk of suffocation. Talk to your doctor or health professional if you are unsure whether to use the feature.
The mattress is a further safety factor to take into account when choosing a crib for your child's bedside. To decrease the risk of SIDS, the mattress must be firm, flat and ventilated. A mattress that is too soft could cause a blocked airway, which is extremely dangerous for newborns. A mattress that is breathable can help your child remain cool during the night, which reduces the risk of overheating.

It is recommended that you place your baby in a secure sleeping space - a cot, crib or Moses basket. Although it may be tempting to put your baby in a bed, it is a major risk of SIDS. You should wait until your baby is able to sleep independently before you attempt to co-sleep. If you must ensure that your bedroom is smokefree to protect your baby from smoke from other rooms. Plunket may offer assistance with a bassinet or a crib in the event that you are a low-income parent.
Second-hand cribs
Parents who want to save money could be enticed by a used bassinet, crib, or cradle that they receive from a relative or friend. Cribs are among the baby products that could cause death, particularly when older cribs are damaged or missing parts or have larger spaces between the slats. In addition, older mattresses may develop dips and other issues that can be hazardous for your child. If a crib is too old to meet the safety standards of today it could be contaminated with lead paint or other harmful chemicals.
If you're considering buying purchasing a crib that is used, look to see if it has been removed from sale by the Consumer Product Safety Commission. It is also recommended to verify whether the crib was painted with water-based paint, which is much safer for infants than oil or phthalic paint. Additionally, ensure that the mattress is firm and fits snugly. Babies are prone to slip out of mattresses with soft surfaces, which also pose suffocation risks.
In addition to cribs, pay particular attention to any secondhand bassinets, cradles and play yards. They must all be JPMA certified and have no sharp elements that your baby can scratch or poke themselves on. Avoid putting blankets, pillows or toys to these items which could create dangerous entrapment risks.
Infants have died from cribs that were altered or tampered with. The majority of these deaths occurred when parents or caregivers attempted to make the cribs more functional or more attractive by adding or altering items. Since 1973 crib makers and the CPSC worked together to establish mandatory standards for safer infant cribs. These standards dealt with things like side heights, slat spacings corner posts, mattress fits, and cutouts on end panels. In the past few years the number of crib-related deaths has dropped from 150 to 200 a year to around 50.