A bassinet, bassinette, or cradle is a bed specifically for babies from birth to about four months. Bassinets are generally designed to work with fixed legs or caster wheels, while cradles are generally designed to provide a rocking or gliding motion. Bassinets and cradles are distinguished from Moses baskets and carry cots, which are designed to be carried and sit directly on the floor or furniture. After four months, babies are often transferred to a infant bed (American usage) or infant bed (UK usage). In the United States, however, the bedside sleeper is the prevalent option, since they are generally bigger, recommended up to 6 months, and often used up to a year.
Design
A bassinet is typically a basket-like structure on free-standing legs, often with casters.
[ Injury Prevention for Children and Adolescents: Research, Practice, and Advocacy, Karen DeSafey Lille, Ed. 2006. p.71.] A cradle is typically set in a fixed frame, but with the ability to rock or glide.
Use
Bassinet usage in the United States nearly doubled to 20% from 1992 to 2006.
[Pike, Jodi, and Rachel Y. Moon. “Bassinet Use and Sudden Unexpected Death in Infancy.” The Journal of Pediatrics 153.4 (2008): 509–512.] Greater than 45% of babies up to two months used a bassinet.
By 5–6 months, however, fewer than 10% of babies sleep in bassinets.
In a hospital environment, a special form of sealed bassinet is used in a neonatal intensive care unit.
On many long-haul flights, most airlines provide a bassinet (which is attached to a bulkhead) to adults travelling with an infant, i.e., a child under the age of two. The use of the bassinet is restricted by the infant's size and weight.[ Example of airline travel information regarding children and infants, Lufthansa]
Research has shown that the mattress influences SIDS outcomes; a firm mattress lowers SIDS risk.[ SIDS & Kids Statement on the use of second hand mattresses]
Some bassinets are designed to rock or swing freely, with many carers finding their child calmed by this action. The process of lulling the child to sleep may be accompanied by prerecorded or live performance of Lullaby.
Stationary or portable
Although there are many variations, they fall generally into two categories:
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light and portable types sometimes called Moses baskets
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but less portable cradles
In both cases, they are generally designed to allow the resting baby to be carried from place to place. Within the home, they are often raised on a stand or other surface to reduce
back strain when bending over to tend the baby. Wheeled frames to convert a bassinet into a
baby transport are common.
Smart bassinets
Bassinets that
smart home soothe babies by sound and motion in response to crying recently have become available, starting with the Snoo in October 2016.
The Snoo has been criticized for its high price.
Graco, 4Moms, and other companies have introduced cheaper competing products.
Rolling
At three or four months of age babies are able to roll over by themselves; this means they could tip the bassinet over, so for safety they must use an
infant bed or
toddler bed instead.
See also
