Ten Bedside Cosleeper Myths That Aren t Always True

Bedside Cosleeper

A bedside cosleeper attaches to your adult bed. It's safe, as long as you follow the CSPC safety guidelines for sleeping spaces for infants.

These guidelines are similar in many ways to crib bedding standards. Read more about the guidelines here. The most important factors to consider when selecting the right bedside cots for newborns sleeper are Safety, Comfort, and Convenience.

Safety

In keeping 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 a baby bedside co sleeper in the same bed since it reduces instances of Sudden Unexpected Death in Infancy, or SIDS. The AAP does not advocate bed-sharing however, it does recommend that co-sleeping on an individual sleeping surface is a good option to decrease the risk of SIDS. This is why the introduction of the bedside cosleeper became so crucial for many families.

A bedside cosleeper attaches to a bed frame for adults. It is similar to a crib sleeper. The bedside cosleeper allows parents to keep an eye on their baby and allows them the option of sleeping in their own bed. The most reliable cosleepers meet strict safety standards and are built using durable, high-quality materials. Look for the Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association (JPMA) stamp of approval, which confirms strict product testing and quality controls, to ensure your child's safety cosleeping experience.

The safety of a crib is dependent on several aspects. This includes how it's installed and secured onto the mattress of the parent. It is crucial that the bedside cosleeper is connected to the mattress of the parent in a manner that prevents gaps and spaces, in which the infant may be trapped. This could result in a suffocation risk. It is essential that the attachment system of a bedside sleeper be tested to ensure that it can withstand the force that might be imposed in the course of use, for example, parents rolling onto and off the sleeper, or a 25-lb. The attachment system or corners of the bedside sleeper should be exposed to a horizontal force.

The voluntary standard for bedside Co sleeper Cot sleeping cribs incorporates, as a reference to the federal consumer safety standards for bassinets (16 CFR part 1218) and specifications for the performance of closed openings. The standard's mandatory requirements deal with the risk of neck and head imprisonment by requiring that after application, and release the 50-lb. horizontal force near the attachment systems and at the corners of the bedside sleeping device, a gap larger than 1.0 in. It is not allowed 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 suffocation or SIDS or because it's an act of "Ferberization" that forces children to sleep on their own. However, anthropologists have noted for years that many mammals, primates, and people from non-Western cultures sleep regularly. This is due to the fact that babies are soothed when they hear their mother's voice, and may also learn to soothe themselves.

The best bedside crib vs cot sleepers come with a smart design that attaches to the sides of any bed and pivots to allow easy access for middle-of-the-night feedings or diaper changes. Find a model with adjustable feet, which retract to accommodate various mattress sizes. It should also include an ample storage area to store all the baby's necessities.

Pick a bedside crib that is compatible with the standard crib bedding so that it can be used safely as your child grows. You might also think about an adjustable model that can transform into a play yard or a more deep bassinet for a long time of use, and folds easily for travel.

Portability

Based on the size of your bedroom a bedside cosleeper with wheels and/or a lightweight base could be easier to move around your home than one that has frames made of wood or a massive base. The babybay Bedside sleeper, HALO BassiNest Essentia and Snoo Smart Sleeper are all equipped with excellent portability features. Adjustable feet retract to accommodate platform beds and legs fold inwards to give the most comfortable closeness to the mattress; and 100% mesh sidewalls that allow for air circulation without fabric covering the baby's mouth or nose.

The Arm's Reach ClearVue is a top choice. It adjusts in 1" increments and can be used as a bassinet, or a portable bed. It also swivels to allow for quick access to the baby to comfort her, nurse her or check on the baby during the night.