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A bassinet is considered to be an alternative to a crib, at least for the first months of a baby's life. To reduce the risk of SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome), the American Academy of Pediatrics now recommends that babies sleep in the same room as their parents, but not in the same bed. Since full-sized cribs don't always fit in the parents' room, a bassinet placed within an arm's reach of the bed allows you keep a close watch over your baby. In addition, newborns may actually feel cozier in a bassinet, since cribs often have few or no blankets, as recommended by experts to reduce the risk of SIDS.
Typical costs: |
- Bassinets cost anywhere from about $60 for a travel or collapsible model to $135 for a solid wood bassinet.
Related articles: Crib, Crib Mattress, Baby Swing, Glider Rocking Chair, Car Seat
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What should be included: |
- A bassinet should have a study and wide base with a firm mattress no more than 1.5 inches thick that fits snugly into the frame. According to BabyCenter.com[1] , if you can fit two fingers between the mattress and the side of the bassinet, the mattress is too small.
- For folding or collapsible models, locks should be provided for all hinged legs and wheels so the bassinet doesn't collapse or roll unexpectedly.
Additional costs: |
- Bassinets typically come with a mattress and fitted sheet, but most do not include liners or additional sheets.
- Models that boast a night light for checking on your baby in the dark will need batteries.
Shopping for a bassinet: |
- The American Society for Testing and Materials[2] (ASTM) updated safety standards for bassinets and cradles in 2006. Most products which meet these stricter but voluntary standards now bear the seal of the Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association.
- The Consumer Product Safety Commission[3] (CPSC) offers a free publication called "The Safe Nursery," a booklet designed to help avoid injuries from nursery furniture and equipment.
- According to the CPSC, you should stop putting your baby into a bassinet once he or she starts to push up on their hands and knees, or once they reach the manufacturer's maximum weight recommendation (typically between 15 and 25 pounds). According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention[4] weight-to-age charts, the average baby reaches 25 pounds by 15 to 18 months.
- How Stuff Works[5] provides other parents' reviews of bassinets.
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Material on this page is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as medical advice. For medical decisions, always consult your physician for the right course for your infant or child.
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External Resources: |
- www.babycenter.com/0_how-to-buy-a-bassinet-or-cradle_427.bc
- www.astm.org/Standards/F2194.htm
- www.cpsc.gov/PageFiles/129289/202.pdf
- www.cdc.gov/nchs/nhanes.htm
- electronics.howstuffworks.com/tech
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