Bedside Baby Beds
Baby cribs that can be set near the bed will allow parents to keep their child close at night, without compromising the safety of their child. They are made to be used by newborns up to 4-6 months old.
travel cot bedside crib swivels over the bed of the parent and comes with a push-down feature that allows parents to scoop their baby up for feedings in the middle of the night. However, the base won't be able to fit under beds less than 4.5 inches high.
Safety features
A bedside crib lets parents keep their babies close to them for nighttime feedings, comforting, and monitoring without leaving their sleeping arrangements. This type of arrangement is ideal for new mothers recovering from childbirth, or who are unable to move around. It can help parents remain more well-rested throughout the night. It is important to consider the safety features when buying the bedside crib.
The primary safety concern with this type of sleep surface is that it's not an entirely secure barrier between the bed of the parent and the infant's sleeping area, resulting in gaps that could cause the risk of suffocation for infants. Sharing a bed increases the body heat of the parent and could increase the chance of overheating. This can lead to SIDS.
Although some manufacturers claim that bedside co-sleepers are safer than traditional cribs, these products are not subject to CPSC's safety guidelines. They may feature slats that permit the baby's legs or head to become trapped and their attachment mechanisms may be unstable, and could cause separation.
Many of these surfaces have bedding that is loose, which can lead to the possibility of suffocation. Babies do not have the muscle or coordination to free themselves from entanglement in soft bedding, and gaps between the mattress and the frame can cause a danger of suffocation. Some of these beddings have a hard bottom that could cause injury to a baby if they fall onto it. One user suggested that CPSC include pictograms in its warnings about these products, which will decrease the chance of caregivers missing key elements. Sleepers at the bedside need a smooth transition system that stops the baby from sliding off the parent's mattress.
Bedding
A bedside crib, also known as a co-sleeper or bassinet, allows babies to sleep beside their parents' beds and still have an individual sleeping space. This safe form of co-sleeping helps reduce the risk of suffocation and Sudden Infant Death Syndrome by keeping infants close to their parents.
Baby bedding for a sleeper at night could include crib sheets blankets, bumpers and stuffed animals. Make sure that any bedding you choose to use is suitable for the bedside sleeper to avoid pockets or bulges that might impede the baby's breathing. Also, ensure that the mattress you buy for your bedside sleeper is firm and snugly fits without gaps around the edges.
When you are choosing a bedding set, look for one that is easy to wash and dry to keep it clean when your child has accidents or spits in the night. Consider an item for travel to make it easier to pack and take your bedside sleeper out of the bag while you're away to a vacation destination or visiting your grandparents.
Once your infant outgrows their bedside sleeper, you are able to change them to a stand-alone toddler or crib. When you transition, make sure to remove the crib from the bed of the parent for several weeks or months so that your child can become comfortable sleeping in their own space, while still being a part of their parents. Be bedside crib to cot to select a crib that can fold up easily for storage and transportation. Certain models can be transformed into a play yard, or a deeper bassinet. This makes them an excellent option for parents who travel often.
Tilt function
A bedside sleeper, also known as a bassinet is a bassinet attached to the bed's side for adults. One side is lower than the other side to let parents reach their baby at the end of the night. It could have tilt features that help ease reflux in infants. Some parents have found that this feature helps their baby sleep better. However it is crucial to keep in mind that a sloped or elevated sleeping surface can cause your child to roll into an unsafe chest-to-chin position. This can lead to death and should be avoided.
Selecting a mattress that is suitable is a further important factor to consider when it comes to choosing a crib for your bed. It should be firm and flat, as well as ventilated. The mattress should be exactly the same size as the crib and fit comfortably into the frame. It is recommended to buy a new mattress for the crib, as a second-hand mattress can increase the chance of SIDS. Certain retailers sell mattresses that are designed specifically for specific bed frames therefore it is recommended to use them if you can.
Some cribs designed for bedside are made to tuck under your bed to conserve space and bring your child close, such as the Halo BassiNest. However certain beds are too low for this kind of crib. Additionally, the BassiNest's legs that are splayed make it difficult to slide under certain beds. It is also difficult to tuck it under a divan bed which can cause it to slide or sway out of alignment with the mattress.
Other types of bedside bassinets, like the Ingenuity Sleep and Grow Bedside Crib can be set close to your mattress but they cannot tilt. CHOICE recommends that parents use these beds if they have a solid air-conditioned bed. Tilting a bassinet or bedside crib could encourage your baby to fall into a dangerous position which increases the chance of being suffocated.
Foot-to-foot position
A bedside crib, also known as a bassinet or co-sleeper, is a small crib attached to the side of a bed designed for adults. It allows parents to reach their child easily during the night. These beds are typically larger than traditional cots or bassinets, and some have a lower side that forms an unintentional separation between the sleeping spaces. These beds are made from sturdy materials, and many have wheels to make them easier to move around the house.
Some bedside cribs come with tilt features that can aid babies suffering from digestive issues like reflux or colic. But, it's crucial to use this feature with great care and at a small angle to avoid being suffocated. Consult your physician or health visitor if you are unsure whether to use the feature.
Another crucial safety factor to consider when choosing a crib for a bedside is the mattress. To reduce the risk for SIDS, the mattress must be flat, firm and ventilated. A mattress that is too firm can cause an obstruction in the airway of newborns, which can be dangerous. A mattress that is breathable will ensure that your baby stays cool throughout the night, which can decrease the chance of overheating.
It is recommended to place your baby in a secure sleeping space such as a cot, crib or Moses basket. While it could be tempting to sleep with your child in a bed, this poses a serious risk of SIDS. It is recommended to wait until your baby is old enough to sleep independently before you attempt to co-sleep. If you have to, make sure that your bedroom is smoke-free to protect your child from secondhand smoke. If you're on a lower income, you might be eligible for help with a bassinet or crib from Plunket.
Second-hand cribs
Parents who are frugal may be enticed to purchase or take a second-hand bassinet, crib or cradle from a family member or friend. Cribs are one of many baby products that could cause death, particularly in older cribs that have damaged or missing parts, or have a wider space between the slats. Additionally, older mattresses can develop dips and other issues which could be dangerous for your baby. If your crib is not old enough to meet the current safety standards it could be contaminated by lead paint or other toxic chemicals.
If you're considering buying purchasing a used crib, be sure to check whether it's been recall by the Consumer Product Safety Commission. It's also recommended to verify whether the crib was painted with water-based paint, which is much safer for infants than phthalic or oil paint. Also, ensure that the mattress is firm and secure. Soft mattresses can cause babies to slip off and can pose a danger of suffocation.
In addition to cribs, pay special attention to any secondhand bassinets, cradles and play yards. They should all be JPMA certified, and have no sharp edges that your baby can poke or scratch themselves on. Avoid putting pillows, toys or blankets to these products. They could be a potential dangers to entrapment.
Infants have died from 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 incorporating or altering things. Since 1973 crib makers and CPSC collaborated to create standard requirements for safer infant cribs. These standards addressed things like side heights, slat spacings mattress fits, corner posts and cutouts on the end panels. In the last few years, the number of deaths attributed to cribs has dropped from 150-200 per year to 50.