Bedside Cosleeper

A cheap bedside cot cosleeper is a bassinet which connects to the side of your adult bed. As long as you adhere to the CSPC guidelines for sleeping areas for infants it's secure.

These guidelines are similar in many ways to crib bedding standards. Read more about the guidelines here. The most important aspects to consider when choosing the best bedside cot for newborn bedside sleeper are Safety as well as comfort and convenience.

Safety

Many new parents and expecting mothers have chosen to cosleep, also known as bed-sharing, in line with the American Academy of Pediatrics recommendation that infants should sleep in the same bedroom as their parents. The Academy recommends that room-sharing with a baby is more secure than sleeping in the same bed as a parent because it reduces the risk of Sudden Unexpected Infant Death (SIDS). The AAP does not recommend bed-sharing however it does suggest that co-sleeping on separate sleeping surfaces is a good option to lower the risk of SIDS. This is why the development of the bedside cosleeper was so crucial for many families.

A bedside cosleeper can be described as a crib-like sleeper that is attached to an adult bed frame. The bedside cosleeper enables parents to easily monitor their baby and allows parents the freedom of sleeping in a bed while keeping their baby close by. The most reliable cosleepers are made using high-quality materials and adhere to strict safety standards. Be sure to look for the Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association (JPMA) stamp of approval, which confirms rigorous testing of the product and quality controls, to ensure your child's secure cosleeping experience.

The safety of a bedside sleeper depends on several factors such as how it is installed and attached to the parent's bed. If the bedside cots cosleeper is not attached to the parent's bed in a way that prevents the gaps and spaces in which an infant could be trapped, it could create the risk of suffocation. It is important that the attachment system of a bedside crib be tested to ensure that it is able to withstand the forces 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 the horizontal force.

The standard for bedside cribs incorporates, as a reference to the federal consumer product safety standards for bassinets (16 CFR part 1218), including the requirements for performance for closed fabric openings. 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 in the vicinity of the attachment system and the corners of the bedside sleeping device, a gap that is greater than 1.0 in. must not be created. Only read-only copies of the standard can be obtained from ASTM's online Reading Room.

Convenience

Many parents avoid cosleeping because they fear the risk of suffocation, or SIDS, or because it is an act of "Ferberization", which forces children to sleep alone. However, anthropologists have noted for years that many mammals, primates and people from non-Western cultures cosleep often. This may be because infants are soothed by the familiar voice of their mother, and it can also help them learn to self-soothe.

The top bedside sleepers have a smart design that attaches to the sides of any bed and swivels for easy access for middle-of-the-night feedings or diaper changes. Look for one with adjustable feet that retract to accommodate various mattress heights and a large bedside crib storage compartment to store all of your baby's necessities.

Choose a bedside crib that fits standard crib bedding, so it is safe to use as your child grows. You might also look into a convertible model that could transform into a play area or deeper bassinet for years of use, and folds up easily to travel.

Portability

A bedside cosleeper with wheels or a lightweight base is much easier to move than one with a bulky wooden frame or 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 the legs fold inward for maximum closeness to the mattress and sides made of 100% mesh to allow for ventilation without any fabric covering the baby's nose or mouth.

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 quick access to the baby so that you can help her relax, nurse her, or monitor them during the night.