best bedside cots attaches to your adult bed. It's safe, as long as you adhere to the CSPC safety guidelines for infant sleep spaces.
These guidelines are similar to crib bedding standards. Read more about the guidelines here. The most important features to take into consideration when selecting a bedside sleeper are: Safety, Comfort, and Convenience.
Safety
In line with the American Academy of Pediatrics' recommendation that infants are in the same room with their parents, cosleeping (a practice that is also known as bed-sharing) has gained popularity among many expecting and new parents. The Academy says that sharing a room with a baby is more secure than sleeping in the same bed as parents because it lowers the risk of Sudden Unexpected Infant Death (SIDS). The AAP doesn't recommend bed sharing however it does suggest that co-sleeping on a separate sleeping surface is a great way to decrease the risk of SIDS. This is why the development of the bedside cosleeper was so crucial for many families.
A bedside sleeper is attached to a bed frame that is suitable for adults. It's similar to a crib sleeper. The bedside cosleeper helps parents keep an eye on their baby and gives them the freedom to sleep in their own bed. The most reliable cosleepers meet strict safety standards and are constructed with sturdy, high-quality materials. To ensure your child's safety, look for the Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association stamp of approval. This is a sign of rigorous testing and quality control.
The safety of a bedside sleeper depends on several aspects that include the way it is set up and connected to the parent's bed. If the bedside cosleeper isn't attached to the parent's bed in a manner that eliminates the gaps and spaces in which the infant can get trapped, it could be an hazard of suffocation. It is essential that the attachment system of a bedside crib be tested to ensure that it can withstand the forces that could be imposed during use, such as a parent rolling onto and off the sleeper, or a 25-lb. horizontal force applied to the attachment system or the corners of the bedside cosleeper.
The voluntary standard for bedside sleepers includes by reference to the federal consumer safety standard for products such as bassinets and cradles (16 CFR part 1218) that includes performance requirements for enclosed openings with a fabric-side. The standard's requirements for mandatory compliance deal with the risk of neck and head traps by requiring after application, and release 50 lbs. The standard also stipulates that after the application and release of 50-lb. It is not allowed to create a gap that is greater than 1.0 in. Read-only copies of the standard can be accessed at ASTM's electronic Reading Room.
Convenience
Many parents have resisted cosleeping for fear of suffocation SIDS or the "Ferberization" process that forces children to be in a room by themselves Anthropologists have long observed that most primates and mammals, as well as people in non-Western societies, regularly co-slept. This is because babies are soothed by hearing their mother's voice, and can also learn to self-soothe.
The best bedside sleepers have clever designs that are attached to the side of a mattress and swivels so you can access it easily to change diapers or feeds in the middle of the night. Look for one with adjustable feet that retract to accommodate different mattress heights and a large storage compartment to store all of your baby's necessities.
Choose a bedside crib that is compatible with standard crib bedding, so it will be safe to use as your child grows. You may also want to look into a convertible model that can transform into a play yard or deeper bassinet to last for years of use, and folds up easily to travel.
Portability
A bedside sleeper with wheels or a light base is more portable than one that has a heavy wooden frame or base. The Babybay Bedside Sleeper, HALO BassiNest Essentia and Snoo Smart Sleeper all have amazing portability features. The adjustable feet that retract to fit platform beds; legs fold inward for maximum closeness to the mattress and a sides made of 100% mesh to let airflow without fabric covering the baby's nose or mouth.
The Arm's Reach ClearVue is an excellent choice. It adjusts in 1" increments and can be used as a bassinet or a portable bed. It also pivots to allow quick access to the baby to comfort her, nurse her, or monitor them at night.