One of the biggest concerns of new parents is their newborn’s sleep.  While there are certain aspects that are unpredictable and out of anyone’s control, like how long will a baby sleep and what works best to induce sleep, where to place baby for sleep is totally within your control.

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends keeping a newborn in the parents’ bedroom for the first six months, up to one year.  This not only makes it easier for a parent to tend to baby, but it also keeps baby safer.  Room sharing with your newborn decreases the incidents of SIDS by up to 50%.

When choosing a sleep environment for your new one, consider the following:

Start with a bassinet

Look for a sleep product that can conveniently fit in your bedroom.  If you don’t have room for a full-size crib, opt for a smaller bassinet which keeps baby’s space cozier. Also, a bassinet will make it easier to move baby into their room since the crib won’t have to be taken apart to go from the parent’s room to the baby’s room. One of the top-rated co-sleeper bassinets is from Arm’s Reach. The founders created the first patented co-sleeping product on the market that attaches securely to a parent’s bed. This year the company celebrated its 25th anniversary.

Keep baby within arm’s reach

Select a model that can be positioned right up to your bed side so you can enjoy the convenience of caring for baby without necessarily getting out of bed.  If all baby needs is a gentle touch to calm down you can do this without getting out of bed which will most definitely help a post-partum mom rest and heal more quickly

Select a bassinet with drop down sides

Since bending over and picking up a baby can be strenuous particularly if you are recovering from a c-section, look for a bassinet that has a drop down side next to your bed.  This will allow you to avoid reaching deep down into baby’s sleep space when lifting the baby up for feeding or diaper change

Adjustable height for convenience

Opt for a model that has height adjustability so the baby is level with your bed.  Again, this makes it easier for you to care for baby during the night

Ensure essentials are close by

In order for you to keep essentials at hand, look for a bassinet that has built in storage to hold a few diapers, burp cloth and wipes. Again, this allows you to do a diaper change without having to get up and move to the changing table

Do a safety check

and above all, as with all gear you purchase for your newborn, check that it’s CPSC (Consumer Product Safety Commission) approved.