The catch with co-sleepers

Questions Are co-sleepers safe?

Answer: A co-sleeper is an infant bed that attaches to an adult bed. While a co-sleeper offers a cozy nest for your baby and is convenient for middle-of-the-night breast-feeding, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) doesn't recommend co-sleepers, and we don't either, because no safety standards for them have been established. Until standards are established, I'd steer clear. Your safest option is a full-size crib, which is federally regulated, meaning it's subject to mandatory safety standards that manufacturers must follow when making cribs. There are also voluntary safety standards for full-size cribs that most manufacturers also use as a guideline.

For convenience, plan to put the crib right next to your bed. In fact, sharing your bedroom is the best sleeping arrangement for your baby's first 6 months, according to the AAP. If there's no room in your bedroom for your baby's crib, a bassinet or cradle will do. They're subject to voluntary safety standards, though not mandatory, federal safety standards, which is why cribs are our first choice. Keep in mind that bassinets and cradles don't last long. By 4 months or so, your baby will probably outgrow it.