Bedside Cosleeper

A bedside cosleeper attaches to your adult bed. It's safe as long as you adhere to the CSPC safety guidelines for infant sleep spaces.

These guidelines are similar to crib bedding standards. Learn more about the guidelines here. When selecting a bedside sleep device, safety, comfort, and convenience are the main factors to consider.

Safety

Many new parents and expectant mothers have adopted cosleeping, also known as bed-sharing, as per the American Academy of Pediatrics recommendation that infants sleep in the same room as their parents. The Academy recommends that room-sharing with a baby is safer than sleeping in the same bed as parents, as it reduces the chance of Sudden Unexpected Infant Death (SIDS). While the AAP disapproves of bed sharing, it does recommend that cosleeping be done on a separate sleep surface to minimize the risk of SIDS. The development of the bedside crib was important for many families.

A bedside sleeper is attached to a bed frame designed for adults. It is a crib like sleeper. The bedside cosleeper allows parents to easily keep an eye on their baby, and it gives parents the freedom of a bed while keeping their baby close to them. The top cosleepers adhere to strict safety standards and are made 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 crib is dependent on several factors. It is dependent on how it's set up and secured onto the mattress of the parent. If the bedside crib to cot sleeper is not attached to the parent's bed in a manner that eliminates the gaps and spaces where an infant could be trapped, it could be a suffocation hazard. It is crucial that the attachment system for a bedside sleeper be examined to make sure that it is able to withstand any forces that are applied during use, such as the parent bouncing on and off the sleeper. The attachment system, or the corners on the bedside crib and cot cosleeper should be tested against the horizontal force.

The voluntary standard for bedside crib co sleeper sleepers includes by reference to the federal consumer product safety standard for bassinets and cradles (16 CFR part 1218) and includes performance requirements for fabric-sided enclosed openings. The standard's mandatory requirements also tackle the issue of neck and head entrapment by requiring that, after application, and release 50 lbs. horizontal force near the attachment systems and corners of the bedside sleeper, a gap larger than 1.0 in. is not allowed to be created. ASTM's electronic Reading Room offers read-only versions of the standard.

Convenience

Many parents avoid cosleeping because they fear being suffocated or SIDS or because it is an "Ferberization" which requires children to sleep on their own. Anthropologists have observed for a long time that many primates, mammals, and people from non-Western cultures cosleep regularly. This is because babies are soothed by hearing their mother's voice, and may also learn to soothe themselves.

The best bedside sleepers feature clever design that can be attached to the side of a bed and swivels for easy access for feedings during the night or diaper changes. Look for one with adjustable feet that retract to accommodate different mattress heights and a Large Bedside Crib storage compartment for all your baby's necessities.

Choose a bedside sleeper which fits standard crib bedding so that it can be used safely as your child grows. Consider a model that is convertible and can be used as a play yard, or a deeper bassinet. It can last for many years.

Portability

Depending on the size of your bedroom a bedside cosleeper with wheels and/or a lightweight base may be more convenient to move around the house than one that has frames made of wood or a substantial base. The babybay Bedside Sleeper, HALO BassiNest Essentia and Snoo Smart Sleeper are all equipped with amazing portability features. The adjustable feet retract to accommodate platforms; legs fold inward to give the most comfortable closeness to the mattress; and 100% mesh sidewalls that allow for ventilation without any fabric covering baby's nose or mouth.

The Arm's Reach Clear-Vue is another top choice that adjusts in 1" increments to fit in most adult beds. It can also be used as an portable bassinet. It also swivels to allow for quick access to baby so you can comfort, nurse or check on her during the night.