Bedside Baby Beds
Baby cribs that can be set next to the bed allow parents to keep their baby close at night, without compromising the safety of their child. They are designed to be used by infants up until 4-6 months.
The Halo Bassinest is a swivel-over-the parent's bed that has an end that can be pushed down to allow parents to pick up their newborn during feeding times at night. The base will not be able to fit under beds less than 4.5 inches high.
Safety features
A bedside baby bed allows parents to keep their infants close for evening feedings, comforting and monitoring, without having to leave their sleeping arrangements. This type of arrangement is ideal for mothers who are recovering from childbirth, or with limited mobility and may also help parents stay more relaxed throughout the night. It is, however, essential to look at safety features before purchasing a bedside baby bed.
This type of mattress poses a safety concern because it does not provide a complete barrier to the parent's sleeping area and the infant's sleep area. This can lead to gaps that can cause suffocation hazards to young infants. In addition sharing the bed with an infant increases the body heat of the parent and raises the chance of overheating which can lead to SIDS.
Although some manufacturers claim that bedside co-sleepers are safer than cribs, they're not subject to the CPSC safety standards. They may feature slats that permit a baby's head or legs to be snagged and their attachment mechanisms could be unstable and lead to separation.
Many of these surfaces contain loose bedding that could cause suffocation. Babies lack the strength and coordination to untangle themselves from soft bedding. Gaps between the frame and mattress can also create a suffocation risk. Some of these items have a hard bottom that could cause injury to a baby should they fall upon it. One commenter suggested the CPSC include pictograms in warnings to these products. This could decrease the likelihood that caregivers are unaware of key components. Moreover, bedside sleepers should come with an easy transition mechanism that can keep the baby from sliding off the parent's bed.
Bedding
A bedside crib (also known as a co-sleeper or bassinet) lets babies sleep in their parents' beds, while maintaining a separate space. This method of co-sleeping that is safe reduces the risk of suffocation, entrapment, and Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) by keeping infants close to their parents and within arm's reach for feedings during the night or comforting.
Baby bedding for a sleeper at night can include crib sheets, blankets, bumpers, and toys. Make sure that any bedding you select fits the bedside sleeper properly to avoid bulges and pockets which could hinder the baby's breathing. Also, ensure that the mattress you purchase for your bedside sleeper is firm and snugly fits without gaps around the edges.
When choosing bedding sets, look for something that's easy to wash and dry so that you can keep it clean when your infant has accidents or spits up in the night. It is also a good idea to consider a travel kit for your bedside sleeper, so that you can easily carry it around when you go on family vacations or visit your grandparents at their homes.
Once your infant outgrows their bedside sleeper, you can change them to a stand-alone toddler or crib. When you transition to a crib, move it away from the bed of your parents over the course of weeks or months to allow your child to get used to sleeping in their own space, but still feel a sense of connection to them. Be sure to choose a crib that is able to fold up easily for storage and transport. Some cribs can be transformed into a play yard, or a deeper bassinet. This makes them a perfect choice for new parents who are keen to travel.
Tilt function
A bedside sleeper is a bassinet that connects to the side of a bed for adults and has one side higher than the other, allowing parents to reach over to tend their baby at night. It may also have an adjustable tilt feature that can help alleviate reflux in infants. Some parents report that this feature helps their children sleep better. It is important to keep in mind that a slanted, or elevated, sleeping surface may stimulate your baby's chin into a the chest position. This could lead to the suffocation of your baby and should be avoided.
Choosing a suitable mattress is another key factor when choosing a bedside crib. It should be firm and flat, as well as airy. The size should correspond to the dimensions of the crib and fit snugly in the frame. It is recommended to buy a new mattress for the crib since a second-hand one could increase the chance of SIDS. If possible, it is best to buy mattresses that are made for specific bedframes.
Some cribs that are bedside, such as the Halo BassiNest, are designed to be tucked under your bed in order to make space while bringing your child closer. However some beds are too low for this type of crib. Additionally, the BassiNest's legs that are splayed make it difficult to slide underneath certain beds. It's also a challenge to place it under a divan bed, which could cause it to slide or sway out of alignment with the mattress.
Other types of bedside bassinets such as the Ingenuity Sleep & Grow Bedside Crib, can be positioned close to your mattress but they cannot tilt. CHOICE recommends parents to use these beds with a firm, breathable mattress. The tilt of a bassinet or bedside crib could encourage your baby to slide into a risky position, increasing the risk of the possibility of suffocation.
Position of foot-to-foot
A bedside crib, also called a co-sleeper, or bassinet, is a tiny crib that is attached to the side of an adult's bed. This lets parents be able to easily access their child throughout the night. bedside cot bed are usually larger than traditional cots or bassinets, and some have an lower part that creates an unintentional separation between the sleeping spaces. These beds are constructed from sturdy materials and most come with wheels, making them easier to move around the house.
Some cribs for bedside use a tilt function, which can help babies with digestive issues like colic or reflux. It is important to use the tilt function with caution and at a small angle to prevent from suffocation. Speak to your doctor or health care professional if are unsure whether to use the feature.
The mattress is another important safety factor to take into account when selecting a crib to be your child's bedside. The mattress should be smooth, firm and breathable, to lower the risk of SIDS. A mattress that's too soft can result in obstruction of the airway in infants, which can lead to danger. A breathable mattress will also ensure that your baby stays cool throughout the night, which will reduce the risk of overheating.
It's recommended that you place your baby in a secure sleeping area - either a crib, cot, or Moses basket. It could be appealing to sleep in the same bed as your infant but this could result in SIDS. It is best to wait until your baby is old enough to be able to sleep independently before attempting to sleep with them. If you have to, make sure that your bedroom is smoke-free to protect your child from second-hand smoke. Plunket may offer assistance with a crib or bassinet in the event that you are a low-income parent.
Second-hand cribs
Parents who are frugal may be enticed to purchase or take a second-hand bassinet, crib or cradle for a gift from a friend or relative. However, cribs are one of the main causes of nursery-product related deaths especially if they are damaged or missing parts or wider spaces between slats (which could create suffocation dangers). Additionally, older mattresses could develop dips and other issues that can be hazardous for your baby. If your crib is too old to meet the current safety standards, it may be contaminated by lead paint or contain other toxic chemicals.
If you are considering purchasing a used crib, be sure to check whether it's been recalled by the Consumer Product Safety Commission. It's also a good idea to check whether the crib was painted with water-based paint which is much safer for infants than oil or phthalic paint. Also, ensure that the mattress is firm and secure. Soft mattresses can cause babies to slip off and also pose a suffocation risk.
Pay particular attention to second-hand bassinets and cradles, as well as play yards. They must all be JPMA certified, and have no sharp edges that your child could scratch or poke themselves on. Avoid adding pillows, blankets or toys to these products which could create dangerous entrapment risks.
Infants have died from cribs that were altered or played with. Most of these accidents occurred when parents or caregivers attempted to make the cribs functional or more attractive by incorporating or modifying items. Since 1973 crib makers and CPSC worked together to establish mandatory standards for safer infant cribs. These standards dealt with things like side heights, spacing between slats, mattress fits, corner posts and cutouts on the end panels. As a result, crib-related deaths have dropped from around 150-200 per year to about 50.