Bedside Cosleeper
A bedside cosleeper can be described as a bassinet that attaches to the side of your adult bed. If you stick to the CSPC guidelines for infant sleeping spaces it's secure.
These guidelines are similar to the crib bedding standards. You can learn more about these guidelines here. The most important aspects to consider when selecting the best bedside sleeper are Safety as well as comfort and convenience.
Safety
Many new parents and pregnant mothers have adopted cosleeping or bed-sharing, as per the American Academy of Pediatrics recommendation that infants should sleep in the same room as their parents. The Academy states that room-sharing is more secure than sleeping with a baby in the same bed since it lowers the chance of Sudden Unexpected Death in Infancy or SIDS. The AAP doesn't recommend bed sharing however, it does recommend that co-sleeping on separate sleeping surfaces is a good way to decrease the risk of SIDS. This is the reason why the creation of the bedside cosleeper was so crucial for many families.
A bedside sleeper is attached to a bed frame for adults. It's similar to a crib sleeper. The bedside cosleeper helps parents keep an eye on the baby and gives them the option of sleeping in their own bed. The best cosleepers have strict safety standards and are built with sturdy, high-quality materials. To ensure the safety of your child, look for the Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association stamp of approval. This proves that the product has been tested thoroughly and quality control.
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. If the bedside sleeper 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 pose an hazard of suffocation. It is important that the attachment system of a bedside sleeper be tested to ensure that it can withstand the forces that may be applied in the course of use, for example, a parent rolling onto and off of the sleeper or 25-pound. The attachment system or the corners on the bedside cosleeper must be subjected to a horizontal force.
The standard for bedside sleepers incorporates by reference to the federal consumer safety standard for products such as bassinets and cradles (16 CFR part 1218), which includes requirements for the performance of enclosed openings with a fabric-side. The standard's requirements for mandatory compliance address the danger of neck and head traps by requiring after the application, release 50 lbs. horizontal force near the attachment system and the corners of the bedside sleeper gaps larger than 1.0 in. It is not permitted to create a gap larger than 1.0 in. ASTM's electronic Reading Room offers read-only versions of the standard.
Convenience
Many parents avoid cosleeping because they are afraid of the risk of suffocation, or SIDS or because it is an act of "Ferberization" that forces children to sleep on their own. Anthropologists have noted for years that many primates, mammals, and people from non-Western cultures cosleep regularly. It could be because infants are soothed by the familiar voice of their mother, and it can also help to practice self-soothing.
The best bedside sleepers feature a smart design that attaches to the side of a bed and can be swiveled for easy access for middle-of-the-night feedings or diaper changes. Choose one with adjustable feet that retract to accommodate various mattress sizes, and a big storage space for all of the necessities for your baby.
Choose a bedside sleeper which is compatible with standard crib bedding to be used safely as your child grows. You might also look into a convertible model that can transform into a play area or deeper bassinet to last for years of use. It folds easily for transport.
Portability
A bedside sleeper with wheels or a light base is easier to move than one that has a heavy wooden frame or base. The babybay bedside sleeping system, HALO bassiNest essencetia, and Snoo Smart Sleeper are all portable. They come with feet that can be adjusted that retract to accommodate platforms and legs that fold inward to allow maximum proximity to the mattress; 100 mesh sidewalls for ventilation without covering the baby's mouth or nose.
The Arm's Reach ClearVue is a great choice. It adjusts in 1" increments and can be used as a bassinet or portable bed. It also rotates, allowing easy access to your baby to comfort and nurse her or check on her throughout the night.