Quiz: How Much Do You Know About Bedside Cosleeper?

Bedside Cosleeper A bedside cosleeper is a bassinet which connects to the side of your adult bed. If you stick to the CSPC guidelines for sleeping areas for infants, it's safe. These guidelines are similar to the crib bedding standards. You can read more about these guidelines here. When selecting a bedside sleep device safety, comfort, and convenience are the main factors to consider. Safety In accordance 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 many new and expecting parents. The Academy says that sharing rooms is safer than sleeping with babies in the same bed as it lowers the chance of Sudden Unexpected Death in Infancy (also known as SIDS). While the AAP discourages bed-sharing but does recommend that sleeping with a partner be done on a separate sleeping surface to minimize the risk of SIDS. This is why the introduction of the bedside cosleeper was so crucial for many families. A bedside sleeper is attached to a bed frame designed for adults. It's a crib like sleeper. cotsfortots lets parents monitor the baby and gives the baby the ability to sleep in their own bed. The best cosleepers have strict safety standards and are constructed with durable, high-quality components. Look for the Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association (JPMA) stamp of approval, which confirms strict product testing and quality control, to ensure your child's safety cosleeping experience. The safety of a bedside cosleeper depends on several factors that include how it is installed and attached to the parent's bed. It is important that the bedside sleeper be connected to the mattress of the parent in a manner that prevents gaps and spaces, in which the infant may be trapped. This could pose the risk of suffocation. It is crucial that the attachment system used for a bedside sleeper be examined to make sure that it can withstand any forces that are imposed during use, for example the parent moving on and off the sleeper. The attachment system or the corners of the bedside sleeper should be exposed to the 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) and the requirements for performance for closed fabric openings. The requirements that are mandatory in the standard also address head and neck dangers of entrapment by requiring that, following the application and release of a 50-lb. horizontal force at the attachment systems and corners of the bedside sleeper, a gap larger than 1.0 in. must not be created. The standard is not available for reading. can be accessed at ASTM's online Reading Room. Convenience Many parents are reluctant to cosleep because they fear suffocation or SIDS, or because it's a “Ferberization” that forces children to be in a room by themselves. However, anthropologists have observed for a long time that many primates, mammals and people from non-Western cultures sleep often. This is because babies are soothed when they hear the voice of their mother, and they also learn to self-soothe. The best bedside sleepers come with an innovative design that is 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 can be adjusted to retract to accommodate different mattress heights and a large storage compartment to store all of your baby's needs. Select a bedside sleeper that will fit standard crib bedding, so it is safe to use as your child grows. You might also consider an adjustable model that can transform into a play area or a deeper bassinet to last for years of use. It folds easily for transport. Portability Depending on the dimensions of your bedroom, a bedside sleeper with wheels and/or a light base may be easier to move around the house than one that has frames made of wood or a large base. The babybay bedside sleeper HALO bassiNest essencetia, and Snoo Smart Sleeper are all portable. They come with adjustable feet that can be retracted to accommodate platform mattresses; legs that fold up so that they are in close proximity to the mattress; and 100 mesh sidewalls that allow ventilation without fabric covering baby's nose or mouth. The Arm's Reach Clear-Vue is a top choice that adjusts in 1” increments to fit most adult beds and can also be used as a portable bassinet. It also swivels, allowing for quick access to baby so you can comfort and nurse her or check on her during the night.