How To Tell If You re Prepared To Bedside Baby Bed
Bedside Baby Beds
Baby bedside cribs allow parents to keep their infant close during the night without compromising safety. They are designed for newborns and can be used until 4 to 6 months.
The Halo Bassinest swivels over the parent's bed and has a push-down side that allows parents to take their newborn baby in to feed them during the night. The base is not suitable under beds that are lower than 4.5" high.
Safety features
A bedside baby bed lets parents keep their babies close to them for nighttime feedings, comforting, and monitoring without leaving their bed. This sleeping arrangement is perfect for new mothers recovering after birth or for those with mobility issues. It may also help parents to sleep better at night. It is, however, essential to evaluate safety features before buying a bedside crib.
This kind of sleeping surface is a safety risk because it doesn't provide an adequate barrier between the parent's sleeping area as well as the infant's sleeping space. This can lead to gaps which can pose suffocation hazards to young infants. Additionally, sharing a bed with an infant increases the parent's body heat and increases the chance of overheating which can contribute to SIDS.
Although some manufacturers claim that bedside co-sleepers to be safer than cribs, they aren't covered by the CPSC safety standards. They may have slats which allow babies' legs or heads to get trapped. Their attachment mechanisms may also be unstable, resulting in separation.
Many of these surfaces have loose bedding that could cause suffocation. Babies lack the strength or coordination required to remove themselves from the tangles of soft bedding, and the gaps between the mattress and the frame can cause a suffocation risk. Some of these products have a hard base that could cause injuries to a child if they fall on it. One user suggested that CPSC add pictograms to its warnings on these products, which would decrease the chance of caregivers missing key elements. In addition, bedside cribs must have an easy transition mechanism that can keep the baby from slipping off the parent's bed.
Bedding
A bedside cot crib crib, also referred to as a co-sleeper or bassinet, allows babies to sleep next to their parents' beds while maintaining an independent sleeping space. This type 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 arms' reach for middle-of-the-night feedings or for comforting.
Baby bedding for a sleeper beside the bed can include crib sheets and bumpers. They can also include stuffed animals and blankets. Be sure that the bedding you choose is suitable for the baby's bed properly. This will stop pockets or bulges from obstructing the baby's airway. Make sure that the mattress you choose for your bedside sleeping baby is firm and firmly fitted 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 in the night, select a set that is simple to wash and dry. Consider the possibility of a travel kit that will simplify the process of packing and unpack your bedside sleeping set when you're going to visit grandparents or on vacation.
When your baby outgrows the bedside sleeper, you can move him or her to a crib, or a toddler that is on its own. When transitioning, make sure to remove the crib from the parent's bed over several weeks or months to allow your child to become comfortable sleeping in their own space while still being a part of their parents' presence. Pick a crib that is able to be folded away to be stored and transported. Some models can even be converted into an outdoor play area or a deeper bassinet. This makes them an excellent option for parents who travel frequently.
Tilt function
A wooden bedside cot sleeper, also known as a bassinet, is a bassinet attached to the bed's side for adults. One side is lower than the other to let parents reach their baby at night. It could also come with an adjustable tilt feature that can help ease reflux in infants. Some parents have reported that this feature helps their children sleep better. It is important to remember that a slanted, or elevated, sleeping surface could stimulate your baby's chin into a the chest. This could result in death and should be avoided.
A suitable mattress is also an important factor when choosing the crib for your child's bed. It must be flat and firm, as well as airy. The size should match the dimensions of the crib and fit snugly within the frame. It is best to purchase a new mattress for the crib, as a second-hand mattress can increase the chance of SIDS. Some retailers offer mattresses made specifically for specific bed frames so it is best to choose them if you can.
Some bedside cribs are designed to fit under your bed to save space and bring your child close, like the Halo BassiNest. However, some beds are too low for this kind of crib. Additionally, the BassiNest's splayed legs make it difficult to slide underneath certain beds. It can be difficult to tuck the BassiNest under a divan, and this could cause it to move or rock out of line with your mattress.
Other cribs for bedside use like the Ingenuity Dream & Grow Bedside Bassinet, can be placed beside your mattress but are not able to tilt. CHOICE recommends that parents use these beds if they have a firm air-conditioned bed. The tilt of a bassinet or bedside crib could encourage your baby to slide into a risky position, increasing the chance of the possibility of suffocation.
Position of foot-to-foot
A bedside baby bed, also called a co-sleeper or bassinet, is a small crib that attaches to the edge of an adult's bed. This allows parents to access their child at any time at night. These beds are usually larger than the traditional cots or bassinets. Some have a lower edge that creates a barrier between the sleeping areas. They are usually constructed of sturdy materials, and a lot of them come with wheels that allow for easy transportation throughout the house.
Some bedside cot wooden cribs come with tilt features that can help babies who suffer from digestive issues such as colic or reflux. It is important to use the tilt feature with care and only at a small angle to prevent suffocation. Consult your physician or health professional if you are unsure whether to use the feature.
The mattress is another important safety consideration to make when selecting a crib to be your child's large bedside cot. To minimize the risk of SIDS, the mattress needs to be firm, flat and ventilated. A mattress that's too soft could cause obstruction of the airway in newborns, which is dangerous. A mattress that is breathable can help your baby stay cool throughout the night, which can decrease the chance of overheating.
It is recommended that you place your baby in a safe sleeping space - a cot, crib or Moses basket. Although it may be tempting to sleep with your baby in a bed, this is a major risk of SIDS. It is recommended to wait until your baby is old enough to sleep independently before attempting to co-sleep. If you have to, make sure your bedroom is not smoky to shield your baby from second-hand smoke. If you're living on a low income, you may be eligible for help with a crib or bassinet from Plunket.
Second-hand cribs
Parents who are financially savvy may be enticed to purchase or accept a second-hand bassinet, crib or cradle as a hand-me-down from a family member or friend. But, cribs are among of the main causes of death due to nursery products especially if they are damaged or missing parts or if they have larger spaces between slats (which can create suffocation hazards). In addition, older mattresses may develop dips and other issues that can be hazardous for your baby. If a crib is not old enough to meet current safety standards it could be contaminated by lead paint or contain other toxic chemicals.
If you are considering purchasing a used crib, check to see whether it's been removed from sale by the Consumer Product Safety Commission. It's also an excellent idea to determine whether the crib was painted with water-based paint, which is much safer for infants than oil or phthalic paint. Be sure that the mattress is firm, and that it fits snugly. Soft mattresses can cause babies to fall out and also can pose a danger of suffocation.
Pay particular attention to used bassinets and cradles and play yards. They should all be JPMA certified, and have no sharp edges that your child could scratch or poke themselves on. Avoid putting pillows, blankets or toys to these products that could become dangerous entrapment risks.
Infants have died from cribs that were altered or interfered with. Most of these incidents occurred when caregivers or parents attempted to make the cribs more functional or more attractive by incorporating or altering things. Since 1973, crib makers and the CPSC have worked together to establish mandatory standards for safer cribs, including things like side heights, slat spacing, corner posts, mattress fit and cutouts in the end panels. In the past few years, the number of crib-related deaths has decreased from 150 to 200 a year to around 50.