Co-sleeping is not a new concept. New mothers have been doing it for millennia. What’s new is that there are special co-sleeping cradles that will turn it into something a lot more comfortable than sleeping in the same bed. All you have to do is pick the best co-sleeper for you, and you’ll enjoy a good night’s sleep close to your little one.
If you worry about the safety part, don’t. Co-sleepers are totally safe. Your baby will sleep next to you, all while you are sleeping comfortably without the fear of smothering. Yes, that’s a thing. It’s the most common reason why new fathers don’t sleep with their babies in the same bed. They are afraid of what they could do while sleeping.
The benefits of co-sleepers
I’ve noticed that the media discourages the co-sleeping habit, calling it an unsafe practice that could potentially kill the baby, but research studies don’t back that statement at all. Quite the contrary actually. They have proven that co-sleepers have a large variety of benefits for the child, as well as for the parents.
Research shows that babies who sleep in the same room as you and nearby rarely cry during the night and they almost never startle. They spend four times fewer minutes crying compared to babies who sleep in another room. Crying increases the level of adrenaline, which increases the heart rate and blood pressure. That can lead to restless sleep and long-term sleep anxiety. Not to mention the fact that less crying means more rest for you and your partner as well.
Apparently, babies who sleep near their parents have a stable body temperature, regular heartbeat, and fewer pauses in breathing compared to babies who sleep alone. All that leads to a more stable physiology.
It seems that the SIDS rate is lower in countries where co-sleeping is regarded as a regular habit, rather than the countries where parents and babies sleep in different rooms. It makes sense if you think about it. Co-sleeping means that infants spend more time on their back and side, which decreases the chance of SIDS. Also, the carbon dioxide exhaled by the parents stimulates the baby’s breathing.
Emotional health is a priority as well. Infants who sleep in a co-sleeper grow up with higher self-esteem and less anxiety. The affection they receive in the early months (like touching them gently in their sleep during the night) will make them more comfortable with affection and will have a long-term emotional impact.
You will not have to get out of bed when the baby is crying because the co-sleeper is right there beside you. No more tripping in the dark, no more stepping on who knows what. If you are breastfeeding, you don’t have to get out of bed until morning. Cozy, isn’t it?
You can prevent the baby from crying. Because the co-sleeper is right next to the bed, you can soothe him/ her before that stage. Also, the infant will sense your presence, so there will be no startling.
The cry-it-out method will not be a part of your life. I don’t know why people even think that works. I cannot comprehend how they can let their baby cry for hours. Obviously, something is wrong. Why let them cry it out when you can soothe them?
Breastfeeding will be very easy. Since the baby is right next to you, you just have to feed him/her and then back to sleep. There is not much moving going on so going back to sleep will be easier and faster. For the baby, as well as for you. Depending on the co-sleeper, you can just pull the baby next to you without doing too much lifting, which will not bother the baby too much.
Last, but definitely not least, the bond between you and your child will be stronger. Sleeping every night next to each other will increase trust, affection, and the bond between you will be unbreakable. Also, you will be getting up every morning to the sweetest face you’ll ever see. That will give you the best start in the morning.
Best co-sleeper buying guide
Now that you decided you want a co-sleeper, you may have an issue choosing the right one. There are so many models on the market that it confuses you completely. So what should you be looking for?
- Adjustability – make sure that the co-sleeper can be adjusted to the height of your bed. If it’s too high the baby may roll over in bed with you, if it’s too low, it may prove uncomfortable for you.
- Easy cleaning – you can imagine how that co-sleeper will end up in a few weeks or even days. Make sure that all parts are easy to clean.
- Multi-purpose – there are some co-sleepers that can pass for a bassinet in which the baby can sleep during the day. Depending on the portability of the co-sleeper, you can move it around the house, wherever you need it.
What is the best co-sleeper?
Arm’s Reach Concepts Cambria Co-Sleeper
This co-sleeper is a fantastic alternative to sharing a bed. If you want to sleep in the same room as your baby, but you don’t want to share a bed, then this is the kind of product you are looking for. You can attach it to your bed for easy handling during the night. You don’t have to get up, which means your infant will barely wake up and you can go back to sleep faster and easier. It’s a lot easier to go back to sleep if you are not required to move too much. This product makes that possible for you.
The design is beautiful, and the sleeping space is very cozy for your baby. The bassinet even has a convenient storage space underneath. You can place diapers, blankets, or whatever else you think it’s necessary. It’s ideal if you have to recover from a C-section because there is minimal movement involved. The co-sleeper even has wheels so you can move it with ease. They come in handy if you want to rock your baby to sleep, just like you do with a stroller.
There is enough amount of mesh around to ensure breathability, as well as visibility. This bedside bassinet is easy to assemble and can be used next to beds that are at least 24 inches in height. You can use this product until the baby reaches 5 months old, or when the infant starts to push up on hands and knees.
If you want to use this as a bassinet during the day, you can. It’s possible for you to unfold the side that comes next to the bed all the way up. You can also lock it in place. There is no chance for your baby to fall on the floor if he or she is old enough to roll over.
Check out this product at https://amzn.to/3mMQzrD.
Halo Bassinest Swivel Sleeper
The Halo bassinet can rotate and swivel 360º so you can bring your baby closer to you safely and comfortably. You can lower the side wall for better handling, but if you want, you can lock it in the upright position. This is helpful when the baby will start rolling over on the side.
The 360º rotation is also helpful when you want to get out of bed. Instead of going around it, you just have to push it gently to clear the space. This feature makes everything easier for a mother who has to recover from a C-section or the ones who are breastfeeding. And let’s not forget about the fact that you can rock the baby back to sleep by swiveling the bassinet gently. You don’t even have to get up.
The co-sleeper is adjustable to fit perfectly next to beds with a height from 22 to 34 inches. The base is a stable 4-point, and you can easily tuck it under the bed. It only requires 32 inches from the wall, so it’s ideal for small spaces.
The co-sleeper includes a 100% polyester coordinating fitted sheet. It’s made from polyester, which makes it really easy to clean. All you need is a damp cloth. The sheet is machine washable, and you will also find a pocket where you can keep the essentials. The mattress is made of polyurethane and is completely waterproof. It also contains non-toxic flame retardants. After thorough testing, it exceeds all U.S. Consumer Products Safety Commission and Healthy Canada safety standards for bassinets.
As with most co-sleepers, the Halo bassinet is suitable for infants under the age of 5 months or whenever the baby shows signs of pulling up, rolling over, or pushing up to a kneeling position.
This product can be found at https://amzn.to/3FgQMd0.
Arm’s Reach Concepts Ideal Ezee 3-in-1 Bedside Bassinet
Remember when I was saying above about the multi-purpose as a feature you need to look for in a co-sleeper? This is the kind of product that meets that criterion. Apart from being a co-sleeper, Ideal Ezee can also be used as a free-standing bassinet and as a play yard for when the infant will grow older. Why throw in storage a perfectly good bassinet when you can use it longer than the recommended 5 months for a bedside bassinet?
You can install this co-sleeper next to beds that are at least 24 inches in height but make sure to measure the bed from the floor to the top of the adult mattress. If your bed is taller than 24 inches, you can purchase (separately) a leg extension kit. The nest height is 4 inches tall.
The plate is quite sturdy, and you even have attachment straps for the safest sleep solution, for both you and your infant. The Ideal Ezee 3-in-1 comes with more ventilation for better breathability. The assembly is very simple, it does not require special tools, and the bassinet is portable. It weighs only 30 lbs. You even have side pockets to store baby essentials or whatever you consider necessary.
Check out this product at https://amzn.to/422P7Sn.
My recommendation
Of the three products, I prefer the Halo Bassinet because of the swiveling option. I believe it to be very useful. You don’t have to go around it to get out of bed, you can use it to rock the baby, and it’s very easy to clean. For me, these are valuable selling points and the specs for the best co-sleeper. Also, you don’t need any leg extension kit, you can just adjust the base, and you’re done.
Conclusion
I hope you are not going to listen to the media when it’s telling you that co-sleeping is bad for your child. Remember the benefits I was telling you about and don’t miss precious moments just because you heard on TV that it’s bad for your baby to sleep next to you. If anything, you can only improve your child’s life and health.
Last Updated on March 11, 2023 by Marie Francis