Cradles and Bassinets

October 13, 2008

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Cradles and Bassinets

by Susan E. Davis and Laura Jana, M.D., F.A.A.P.
reviewed by Robert Needlman, M.D., F.A.A.P.

These mini cribs are made to keep newborns close to the parents' bed or to simply offer parents an additional place to safely put a baby down to sleep. Cradles rock back and forth and either sit on the floor or hang from hooks on a stand; bassinets don't rock but are often on wheels, so you can move your baby from room to room.

Cradles and bassinets can provide a small, secure-feeling space for babies fresh from their small, secure-feeling wombs. And most look incredibly charming. But you certainly can put a newborn baby in a full-size crib and save yourself the $100 to $400 a cradle costs (bassinets run about $50 to $150)--as well as $50 or so in miniature sheets. In addition, because cradles have the ability to rock, you need to be aware that they can tip to one side when the baby moves around, potentially leaving the baby pressed against a blanket or bumper and thereby at risk for suffocation.

If you do opt to buy a cradle or bassinet, there are a number of things to look for:

If the bassinet is made of wicker, be sure it doesn't have any sharp edges or points on the inside.

Cradle bars (or slats) should not be more than 2 3/8 inches apart.

Never use a thin, soft mattress that is too small for the cradle, as it can cause suffocation if the baby's face gets wedged in the gap between the side of the cradle and the edge of the mattress.

Cradles should have rocking pins, which help to prevent them from tipping to one side. If your cradle doesn't have a pin to stop the rocking motion, you can jerry-rig one. If the cradle sits on the floor, just put two small pieces of wood under the rocker after your baby has fallen asleep. If the cradle hangs from a stand, you can tie the cradle to its base to prevent it from rocking while your infant's sleeping--making sure, of course, that no strings are left within her reach.

The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) recommends that you follow manufacturer's guidelines on the weight and size of babies who can safely use these products and offers the following safety considerations:

Bassinets and Cradles

Bassinet/Cradle has a sturdy bottom and a wide base for stability.
Bassinet/Cradle has smooth surfaces--no protruding staples or other hardware that injure the baby.
Legs have strong, effective locks to prevent folding while in use.
Mattress is firm and fits snugly.


RELATED INFORMATION

			Baby Bedding
			Bedding in Playpens: What Every Parent Should Know
			Infant Co-sleepers
			Baby Supplies
			Sleep Supplies

Created June 14, 2001
Reviewed August 27, 2001

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