5 Lessons You Can Learn From Bedside Cosleeper

Bedside Cosleeper A bedside cosleeper is a bassinet which is attached to the side of your adult bed. It's safe, so long as you follow the CSPC safety guidelines for infant sleep spaces. These guidelines are similar to the crib bedding standards. Read more about the guidelines here. The most important features to take into consideration when selecting the best bedside sleeper are Safety as well as comfort and convenience. Safety In accordance with the American Academy of Pediatrics' recommendation that infants sleep in the same bed with their parents, cosleeping (a method that is sometimes referred to as bed-sharing) has gained popularity with a lot of new and expecting parents. The Academy notes that room-sharing is safer than sleeping with babies in the same bed since it decreases the risk of Sudden Unexpected Death in Infants, or SIDS. While the AAP disapproves of bed sharing but does recommend that cosleeping be done on a separate sleeping surface to reduce the risk of SIDS. This is the reason why the creation of the bedside cosleeper was crucial for many families. A bedside sleeper is attached to a bed frame designed for adults. It is similar to a crib sleeper. The bedside cosleeper helps parents keep an eye on their baby and gives the baby the ability to sleep in their own bed. The most reliable cosleepers meet strict safety standards and are built with sturdy, high-quality materials. Be sure to look for the Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association (JPMA) stamp of approval, which indicates strict product testing and quality control, to ensure your child's safe cosleeping experience. The security of a cosleeper for the bed depends on several factors, including the way it is set up and secured to the parent's bed. If the bedside cosleeper is not attached to the parent's bed in a way that prevents the gaps and spaces where an infant could be trapped, it could pose an hazard of suffocation. It is crucial that the attachment system of the bedside sleeper be tested to ensure that it can withstand forces that are applied during use, for example the parent bouncing on and off the sleeper. horizontal force applied to the attachment system or the corners of the bedside cosleeper. The voluntary standard for bedside cribs incorporates, as a reference to the federal consumer safety standards for bassinets (16 CFR part 1218) which includes performance requirements for fabric-sided closed openings. The standard's requirements for mandatory compliance address the danger of head and neck traps by requiring after application, and release a 50-lb. horizontal force in the vicinity of the attachment systems and at the corners of the bedside sleeping device, gaps that is greater 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 do not allow cosleeping because they are afraid of the risk of suffocation, or SIDS or because it is an act of “Ferberization”, which forces children to sleep on their own. However, anthropologists have observed for a long time that a lot of mammals, primates and people from other cultures sleep regularly. This is due to the fact that babies are soothed when they hear their mother's voice. They can also learn to self-soothe. The top bedside sleepers have a clever design that attaches on the side of any mattress and swivels so you can easily access it for feedings or diaper changes during the middle of the night. Find a model with adjustable feet that retract to accommodate different sizes of mattresses. It should also come with a large storage area for everything your baby needs. Select a bedside sleeper that is compatible with the standard crib bedding, so that it's safe to use as your child grows. Consider a model that is convertible and can be used as a play yard, or a deeper bassinet. It will last for a long time. Portability A bedside cosleeper with wheels or a light base is much easier to move than one with a bulky wooden frame or a substantial base. The Babybay Bedside Sleeper, HALO BassiNest Essentia and Snoo Smart Sleeper are all equipped with excellent portability features. Adjustable feet that retract to fit platform beds and the legs fold inward for maximum closeness to the mattress and a sidewalls made of 100% mesh that allow for air circulation without material covering 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 swivels, allowing for quick access to baby so you can comfort, nurse or check on her throughout the night.