bedside crib with changing table is a bassinet which attaches to the side of your adult bed. It's safe, so long as you adhere to the CSPC safety guidelines for sleeping spaces for infants.
These guidelines are similar to the crib bedding standards. You can learn more about these guidelines here. The most important factors to consider when choosing a bedside sleeper are: Safety as well as 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 practice that is also known as bed-sharing) has gained popularity with a lot of new and expecting parents. The Academy recommends that room-sharing with a baby is less risky than sleeping in the same bed with parents, as it reduces the chance of Sudden Unexpected Infant Death (SIDS). The AAP doesn't recommend bed sharing but it does suggest that co-sleeping on separate sleeping surfaces is a great way to reduce the risk of SIDS. This is why the introduction of the bedside cosleeper was so important for many families.
A bedside sleeper is attached to a bed frame that is suitable for adults. It's an equivalent of a crib-style sleeper. The bedside cosleeper allows parents to keep an eye on the baby and allows the baby the ability to sleep in their own bed. The best cosleepers are built with high-quality materials and adhere to stringent safety standards. Check for the Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association (JPMA) stamp of approval, which confirms rigorous testing of the product and quality control, to ensure your child's safe cosleeping experience.
The safety of a cosleeper is contingent on a variety of factors. It is dependent on the way it's put in place and secured onto the mattress of the parent. It is essential that the bedside cosleeper is attached to the parent's mattress in a way that eliminates gaps and spaces, in which an infant could become trapped. This can pose the risk of suffocation. It is crucial that the attachment system of the bedside sleeper is tested to ensure that it can withstand any forces that may be applied during use, for example the parent bouncing on and off the sleeper. horizontal force applied to the attachment system or to the corners of the bedside cosleeper.
The voluntary standard for bedside sleeping cribs incorporates, by reference, the federal consumer product safety standards for bassinets (16 CFR part 1218), including the requirements for performance for closed fabric openings. The requirements that are mandatory in the standard also address neck and head dangers through requiring that after the application and release of a 50-lb. The standard also requires that after the application and release of a 50-lb. 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 have resisted cosleeping for fear of suffocation, SIDS or the "Ferberization" process that forces children to sleep on their own Anthropologists have long observed that most primates and mammals as well as those in non-Western societies, regularly cosleep. This is because babies are soothed when they hear their mother's voice. They can also learn to self-soothe.
The best bedside sleepers feature a clever design that attaches to the sides of any mattress and swivels so you can easily access it for feedings or diaper changes in the middle of the night. Choose one with feet that are adjustable and retract to accommodate various mattress heights and a large storage space for all of your baby's necessities.
Choose a bedside sleeper that will fit standard crib bedding, so it will be safe to use as your child grows. You might also think about a convertible model that can transform into a play area or a deeper bassinet for years of use, and folds easily for transport.
Portability
A bedside cosleeper that has wheels or a base that is lightweight is much easier to move than one that has a heavy wooden frame or base. The babybay bedside sleeper, HALO bassiNest essencetia and Snoo Smart Sleeper are all portable. They come with adjustable feet that retract to fit platforms; legs that fold up to provide maximum access to the mattress; 100 mesh sidewalls that allow ventilation without covering the baby's nose or mouth.
The Arm's Reach ClearVue is an excellent option. It adjusts in 1" increments and can be used as a bassinet or a portable bed. It also swivels to give you easy access to your baby so that you can soothe her, feed her or check on them at night.
