Bedside Baby Beds
Baby cribs for bedside use let parents keep their baby close at night without compromising safety. They are designed for newborns and can be used until 6 to 4-6 months.
The Halo Bassinest can be swiveled over the parent's bed and comes with a push-down feature that lets parents scoop up their newborn for middle-of-the-night feedings. However, the base won't fit under beds that are less than 4.5 inches high.
Safety features
A bedside crib allows parents to watch, comfort and feed their infants at night without having leave their bed. This type of arrangement is ideal for new mothers recovering from childbirth or with limited mobility and may also help parents stay more relaxed throughout the night. However, it is important to look at safety features before purchasing a bedside baby bed.
The primary safety concern with this type of sleep surface is that it's not a complete barrier between the bed of the parent and the baby's sleeping space and can result in gaps that could cause dangers of suffocation to infants. Additionally sharing a bed with an infant can increase the body heat of the parents and raises the chance of overheating which could lead to SIDS.
Although some manufacturers claim that bedside co-sleepers are safer than traditional cribs, these devices do not meet CPSC's safety standards. These cribs may include slats that allow the baby's head or legs to become caught. The mechanisms for attachment could be unstable, resulting in separation.
Many of these surfaces also have loose bedding, which can lead to suffocation. Babies lack the strength and coordination to remove their bodies from the soft bedding. Gaps between the frame and mattress can create the risk of suffocation. Some of these items have a hard bottom that can injure a baby if they fall onto it. One commenter suggested the CPSC add pictograms as warnings to these products. This would decrease the likelihood that caregivers miss key elements. Moreover, bedside sleepers must have an easy transition mechanism to stop the baby from sliding off the parent's bed.
Bedding
A bedside crib (also known as a bassinet or co-sleeper) lets babies sleep in their parents' beds, but still having their own space. This form of safe co-sleeping reduces the risks of entrapment, suffocation, 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 bedside sleeper could include crib sheets blankets, bumpers, and stuffed animals. Be sure that any bedding you choose to use is appropriate for the bedside sleeper to avoid bulges and pockets that could obstruct the baby's breathing. Also, make sure that the mattress you purchase for your bedside sleeper is firm and fits comfortably without gaps around the edges.
If you're looking for a bedding set that will keep your baby clean in case they get sick or vomit up in the night, choose something that is easy to wash and dries. It is also a good idea to consider a travel kit for your sleeper at night, so that you can easily take it out and back when you go on family vacations or visit your grandparents' homes.
When your child is no longer a bedside sleeper, you can move them to a separate toddler or crib. When transitioning to a crib, take it away from the bed of your parents over a period of a few weeks or even months so that your child can get used to sleeping in his own space but still feel connected to them. Choose a crib that can be folded away for storage and transportation. Some cribs can be converted into an outdoor play area or a deeper bassinet. This makes them a great option for parents who are new and 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 lower than the other and allows parents to reach out to take care of their child during the night. It could have a tilt feature to help ease reflux in infants. Some parents find this feature can help their child sleep more comfortably. However it is important to keep in mind that a slanted or elevated sleeping surface could encourage your baby to fall into a dangerous chest-to-chin position. This could result in suffocation and should be avoided.
Choosing a suitable mattress is a further important factor to consider when choosing a bedside crib. It must be firm, flat and ventilated. The mattress should be exactly the same size as the crib and fit comfortably into the frame. It is best to purchase a new mattress for the crib since a second-hand one could increase the chance of SIDS. If you can, it's recommended to purchase mattresses that are designed for specific bedframes.
Some bedside cribs, like the Halo BassiNest, are designed to be placed under your bed in order to save space while bringing your baby closer. Some beds are too low to accommodate this kind of crib. The BassiNest's legs with splayed feet make it difficult to slide under some beds. It may be difficult to place the BassiNest in a divan, and this could cause it to move or move out of alignment with your mattress.
Other types of bedside cribs such as the Ingenuity Dream and Grow Bedside Bassinet can be placed next to your mattress, but they aren't able to tilt. CHOICE suggests parents use these beds with a firm, breathable mattress. A bassinet that is tilted or placed next to a crib can encourage your baby to fall into a dangerous position, increasing the risk of being suffocated.
Foot-to-foot position
A bedside crib, also called a bassinet or co-sleeper, is a small crib that is attached to a side of a bed designed for adults. bedside crib and travel cot allows parents to access their child easily at night. These beds are generally larger than standard cots or bassinets. Some have an upper side that creates a short separation between the sleeping spaces. They are usually constructed of durable materials, and a lot of them come with wheels that allow for easy transportation throughout the house.
Some bedside cribs come with tilting features that help babies who suffer from digestive issues such as colic or reflux. However, it's important to make use of this feature with utmost care and at a very slight angle to avoid being suffocated. Consult your physician or health care professional if are unsure about using the feature.
The mattress is a further safety consideration to make when selecting a crib to be your child's bedside. To decrease the risk of SIDS, the mattress needs to be flat, firm and breathable. A mattress that is too soft could result in a clogged airway, which is extremely dangerous for infants. A mattress that is breathable can help your baby stay cool throughout the night, which will reduce the risk of overheating.
It is recommended that you place your baby in a secure sleeping space such as crib, cot, or Moses basket. While it could be tempting to sleep with your child in a bed, this poses a serious risk of SIDS. Make sure your baby is able to sleep independently before attempting to co-sleep. If you are able to, ensure that your bedroom is smoke-free in order to protect your child from second-hand smoke. If you're living on a low income, you might be eligible for assistance with a crib or bassinet from Plunket.
Second-hand cribs
Parents who want to save money could be tempted by a used crib, bassinet or cradle they get from a family member or friend. But, bedside crib that turns into cot are among of the main causes of nursery-product related deaths especially if they have damaged or missing parts or if they have more space between slats (which can create suffocation hazards). Additionally, older mattresses could develop dips and other conditions which could be dangerous for your child. If a crib is not old enough to meet current safety standards it could be contaminated with lead paint or other harmful chemicals.
Examine if the crib has been recalls on the crib. Verify if the crib has been painted with water-based, since this is safer for infants. Additionally, ensure that the mattress is firm and secure. Soft mattresses can cause babies to fall out, and they also can pose a danger of suffocation.
In addition to cribs, pay particular attention to used bassinets, cradles, and play yards. All of them should be JPMA-certified and free of sharp edges which could cause injury to your baby. Avoid putting pillows, toys or blankets with these products. They could pose an dangers to entrapment.
Children have died in cribs that were altered or tampered with. Most of these incidents were caused by caregivers or parents who attempted to make the cribs more functional or more attractive by adding or altering things. Since 1973 crib makers and CPSC have worked together to create mandatory standards for safer cribs for infants. These standards addressed issues like side heights, slat spacings, corner posts, mattress fits and cutouts for end panels. In the past few years the number of deaths attributed to cribs has decreased from 150 to 200 per year to around 50.