by Pauline M. Campos
July 28, 2008

When bedtime comes around, many new parents rely on bassinets or cradles; there are a few things you need to keep in mind when it comes to safety.

According to The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia and the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), bassinet safety is regulated by voluntary—and not mandatory—federal standards. And while it’s true that bassinet safety has increased over the past decade, this isn’t exactly comforting news.

The facts brought to light from the recently published study in the Journal of Pediatrics examined data from 53 infant deaths over a 14-year period.

According to the study:

• The main cause of death was from suffocation related to blankets, pillows, or plastic bags.
• Half of the babies who died had been placed on their tummies, instead of their backs, for sleep.
• Nine of the reported infant deaths were due to bassinets that had a mechanical problem or were improperly used.
• Sadly, the average age of the victims was almost 3 months.

While I’d love to say that I would never use a bassinet or cradle for future children until I knew that safety standards were federally mandated, I can’t. I used a bassinet for six weeks with my daughter. I found a bassinet convenient, and a great way for a new parent to ease into life with a new baby at home. Interestingly, researchers believe that the American Academy of Pediatrics’ recommendation against bed-sharing (one form of co-sleeping) has encouraged the rise in bassinet and cradle use. The 2005 recommendation suggests a safe, nearby but separate, sleeping environment.

But with that said, there are still plenty of factors that need to be addressed if parents decide to use a bassinet instead of a crib. Keep in mind that the CPSC recommends only using full-sized cribs. They have, however, added the following safety recommendations for parents using bassinets:

• This may be one area where going with the hand-me-down may not be the best idea. Sure, it’s cheaper, but it might not be safe. Make sure you look for a bassinet with smooth surfaces and a sturdy bottom with a wide base.

• Forget all those cute receiving blankets you got at the baby shower. And don’t place any stuffed animals, pillows, or toys in the bassinet. Use only the mattress provided by the manufacturer and the fitted sheet made for the bassinet.

• Place your baby in a wearable sleep-sack or blanket.

• Under no circumstances should you ever move or carry a bassinet with your child in it.

• Also make sure to remove any strings or toys suspended from a mobile that may hang in the basket.

• Make sure to place your child on their back in the cradle or bassinet, just as you would in a full-sized crib. This is to reduce the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS).

• Always, always, always follow the manufacturer’s guidelines regarding weight and size for babies who can safely use the product in question. And as soon as they are mobile, or reach maximum weight capacity, it’s time to move to the crib.

• Rocking cradles require a bit more caution. Never leave a child unattended in one that is moving and make sure to use the included hardware to stop motion for naps.

• Currently there are no safety standards in place for co-sleepers, so parents are encouraged to exercise caution in the use of any device that attaches to an adult bed. (Click here to read more about co-sleeping).

You can download the CPSC’s “Safe Nursery” booklet by clicking here.