Say you want the convenience of having your new baby sleep in your bedroom, but if you cram a full-size crib in there, the only way you will ever be able to travel from one side of the room to the other will be by crawling over your bed. Also, you don't really want to have to get too far out of bed to feed your baby in the night.
If only there were a safe way to have your baby sleep right next to you. Well, if you invest in a co-sleeper, there is! As long as you fasten this bassinet or mini-crib securely to your bed, make sure there is no gap between the baby's bed and yours, and select a co-sleeper that is the same height as your bed, this is a convenient and safe sleeping option for your baby. Read on to find out which co-sleeper might work best for you.
Co-sleeper bassinets are smaller than cribs and will usually not hold a baby over about 25 or maybe 30 pounds at most. Because of the cost, therefore, you might want to invest in one versatile enough to convert to other uses so that you end up getting your moneys worth in the long run.
For example, the Simplicity 3-in-1 Close-Sleeping Bassinet not only attaches to your bed as a baby sleeper, but can also be used as a changing table and a baby rocker. The First Years 5-in-1 Carry Me Near Sleep System can be used as a portable sleeper, a free-standing bassinet, and an attached bedside sleeper. These products both also offer features such as battery-powered soothing vibrations, musical sounds, and nightlights.
For an entire line of co-sleepers, check out the Arm's Reach brand co-sleepers, which are endorsed by sleep research experts Dr. William P. Sears and Dr. James J. McKenna Ph. D. With a little research you are sure to find a style that matches your needs and personal style. Each Arm's Reach co-sleeper has railings on three sides to keep the baby safely contained, while the fourth side (facing the bed) is open so a mother can easily bring the baby into her bed for a feeding and then slide him gently back into his own bed.
Constructed with a strong frame of steel tubing, the Arm's Reach Original Co-Sleeper works with beds that are 24-inches tall. It can be turned into a free-standing bassinet, a changing table, and a play yard. The Arm's Reach Universal Co-Sleeper offers the same features as the Original Co-Sleeper, but is sized for beds with heights ranging from 18" to 24".
The Arn's Reach Mini Co-Sleeper is the smallest in the line, weighing in at almost 10 pounds lighter than the Original model. It is for people with smaller bedrooms who want to be able to roll the Co-Sleeper around easily on its wheels. It converts to a bassinet and a changing table, but is not large enough to serve as a play yard. Instead, it can be used for toy storage later.
The Arm's Reach Clear-Vue(tm) bassinet co-sleeper has clear sides so a mother can keep her baby in view at all times. The Arm's Reach Stratford bassinet co-sleeper comes with a lovely decorative fabric liner. The Arm's Reach Deskette is a wood co-sleeper with a long drawer that slides out of its side. Once it is no longer needed as a co-sleeper, it converts to a toddler desk.
The Arm's Reach Sleigh bedside Co-Sleeper is the crown jewel of the line. Made from solid wood (it comes in Cherry, Espresso, Natural, and White), it is beautifully designed to mimic the look of a classic sleigh bed. It works with beds with heights ranging from 18" to 30". Once it is no longer needed as a co-sleeper, it can be used as a changing table or as a Read to Me Love Seat that can hold up to 500 pounds of weight.
Small, convenient, multipurpose...a co-sleeper can be a great bed option for your baby's first half-year of life!
