Bedside Baby Beds
Baby cribs that can be set close to the bed allows parents to keep their baby close during the night without compromising security. They are designed to be used by infants up to 4-6 months old.
The Halo Bassinest can be swiveled over the bed of the parent and comes with a push-down feature that lets parents scoop their baby up for feedings in the middle of the night. However, the base won't fit under beds lower than 4.5 inches high.
Safety features
A crib that is placed at the bedside allows parents to monitor, comfort and feed their infants throughout the night without having to leave their bed. This arrangement of sleeping is ideal for new mothers recovering after childbirth or with limited mobility. It could also help parents to sleep better at night. It is important to consider the safety features when buying a bedside crib.
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, resulting in gaps that could cause the risk of suffocation for infants. In addition, sharing a bed with a child increases the parent's body heat and raises the chance of overheating which could lead to SIDS.
While some manufacturers claim bedside co-sleepers are safer than traditional cribs, they do not meet CPSC's safety guidelines. They may include slats that allow the baby's head or legs to get caught. The mechanisms for attachment could also be unstable, leading to separation.
Many of these surfaces also have bedding that is loose, which can lead to suffocation. Babies aren't strong enough or have the coordination to remove themselves from bedding that is soft. The gaps between the frame and the mattress can also create a suffocation risk. Some of these products have a tough base that could cause injuries to a child if they fall onto it. One user suggested that the CPSC add pictograms as warnings to these products. This would reduce the chance that caregivers miss key elements. Sleepers at the bedside need an easy transition system to prevent the baby from falling off the parent's bed.
Bedding
A bedside crib, also known as a bassinet or co-sleeper lets babies sleep beside their parents' beds while maintaining an independent sleeping space. This form of safe co-sleeping reduces the risk of entrapment, suffocation, and Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) by keeping babies close to their parents and within arm's reach for mid-night meals or comforting.
Baby bedding for a sleeper on the bed could include crib sheets and bumpers. They can also include blankets and stuffed animals. Make sure that the bedding you choose is suitable for the bedside sleeping baby properly. This will stop pockets or bulges from obstructing the baby's airway. 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 in search of bedding sets to keep your baby clean in the event that they have accidents or spit up during the night, pick a bedding that is easy to clean and dries. Consider a travel kit to make it easier to pack and unpack your bedside sleeping set when you're going on vacation or visiting grandparents.
If your child has outgrown their bedside sleeper, it is possible to change them to a stand-alone toddler or a crib. When you transition to a crib, take it away from the bed of your parents over the course of weeks or months to let your child get used to sleeping in their own space, but remain connected to them. Also, be sure to select a crib that can fold easily for storage and transport. Some cribs can even be converted to play yard or a larger bassinet. This makes them an excellent choice for parents who frequently travel.
Tilt function
A bedside sleeper is a bassinet which is attached to the side of a bed for adults and has one side lower than the other, allowing parents to reach over to tend their baby throughout the night. It may also have a tilt function to help ease reflux in infants. Some parents have found that this feature helps their child sleep better. However it is crucial to keep in mind that a slanted or elevated sleeping surface may cause your child to sleep in a risky chin-to-chest posture. This can lead to the suffocation of your baby and should be avoided.
A mattress that is suitable for your child is a key factor in choosing the right crib for your child's bed. It should be firm and flat and breathable. The size should be in line with the dimensions of the crib and fit comfortably within the frame. It is recommended to buy a new mattress for your crib, as a second-hand mattress can increase the risk of SIDS. Some retailers offer mattresses designed specifically for specific bed frames therefore it is recommended to choose these if possible.
Some bedside cribs are designed to tuck under your bed to conserve space and keep your baby close, such as the Halo BassiNest. However some beds are too low for this kind of crib. The feet that are splayed out of the BassiNest make it difficult to slide under certain beds. It is also a challenge to place it under a divan bed, which can cause it to slide or sway out of alignment with the mattress.
Other types of bedside cribs such as the Ingenuity Dream and Grow Bedside Bassinet can be placed beside your mattress, but they aren't able to tilt. CHOICE recommends that parents only use these beds when they have a firm and breathable mattress. The tilting of a bassinet may cause your child to slide into a risky position, increasing the risk of suffocation.
Foot-to-foot positioning
A bedside crib, also called a co-sleeper or bassinet, is a small crib that is attached to the edge of a bed for an adult. It allows parents to reach their child with ease throughout the night. These beds are typically larger than the traditional cots and bassinets, and some even have a a lower side that forms an unintentional separation between the sleeping spaces. They are usually constructed from durable materials, and some have wheels for easy transport throughout the home.
Some cribs with a bedside have tilt features that can help babies who suffer from digestive issues, such as colic or reflux. But, it's crucial to utilize this feature with extreme care and at a very small angle to avoid being suffocated. Consult your physician or health professional if you are unsure about using the feature.
Another important safety consideration when choosing a bedside crib is the mattress. To reduce the risk for SIDS, the mattress needs to be firm, flat and airy. A mattress that is too soft may cause a blocked airway, which is extremely dangerous for babies. A breathable mattress will also aid your baby in staying cool during the night, which could decrease the chance of overheating.
large bedside cot Cots For Tots is recommended to place your baby in their own secure sleeping area - either a crib, cot, or Moses basket. Although it may be tempting to sleep with your baby in a bed, it poses a serious risk of SIDS. It is best to wait until your baby is old enough to be able to sleep independently before you attempt to co-sleep. If you must, ensure that your bedroom is smoke-free to protect your child from secondhand smoke. If you're on a lower income, you could be eligible for assistance with a bassinet or a crib from Plunket.
Second-hand cribs
Parents looking to save money could be attracted by a second-hand bassinet, crib or cradle they acquire from a relative or friend. Cribs are among the nursery products that can cause death, especially in older cribs that have damaged or missing parts or have wider spaces between the slats. Older mattresses may also develop dips and other conditions that could be dangerous for your child. If a crib is old enough to be predated by current safety regulations, it could be tainted by lead paint and could contain other harmful chemicals.
Verify if the crib has been removed from the crib. It's also an excellent idea to determine whether the crib has been painted with water-based paint which is more safe for infants than phthalic or oil-based paint. Ensure that the mattress is firm, and that it fits comfortably. Mattresses that are soft can cause infants to fall out, and they also pose a suffocation risk.
Pay particular attention to second-hand bassinets and cradles and play yards. They should all be JPMA certified, and have no sharp parts that your child could scratch or poke at. Avoid putting pillows, toys or blankets with these products. They could be a potential dangerous for entrapment.
Infants have died in cribs that had been tampered with or modified and most of the incidents were caused by caregivers and parents who tried to make the cribs more functional or attractive by adding things or modifying them in a way. Since 1973, crib makers and the CPSC worked together to establish standard requirements for safer cribs for infants. These standards dealt with things like side heights, slat spacings corner posts, mattress fits and cutouts on the end panels. In the past few years the number of crib-related deaths has dropped from 150-200 per year to 50.