How to choose a baby bassinet?

11 Mar How to choose a baby bassinet?

Choosing the cradle for your baby is important because it must be a safe place for the baby to rest. In addition, the crib should be a very tight and protected environment to ensure that the baby is not in any danger, such as rolling down while sleeping. The safety of this small environment is also largely due to and responsibility of the parents because the first thing to keep in mind is that the newborn must sleep in a supine position to try to minimize the risk of SIDS.

Furthermore, there are many models of cradles on the market, from traditional wooden ones to those in fabric suitable for co-sleeping, just to give a couple of examples. Depending on the cradle model, the price can undergo considerable variations, also depending on the brand and also on the accessories that match. Read now: How do you know if baby too big for bassinet?

The attention that the cradle complies with safety regulations

The reference standards for the safety of these products are en1130 and en716 and you must pay close attention to compliance when making a purchase of this kind. Within these regulations, certain parameters are specified, which indicate that the crib is safe to accommodate a newborn. Some of these are:

The sides of the cradle must be at least 60 cm high. (to prevent the little one from falling during sleep)

The distance between the bars must be 6 cm. And no more 7.5 (to prevent the child’s head from getting stuck between one bar and the other)

When the rail is lowered, it must be 20 cm high. From the edge. This is because, when the baby is a little older, he may be able to climb over it on his own to go to sleep. Read more https://awoc.org/what-is-the-difference-between-an-air-purifier-and-a-humidifier/

Among the most important features of a cradle are its sturdiness and the total absence of edges.

There is no better material than another, but the essential thing is that the chosen material is certified.

Avoid odds and toys

A simple, safe and compliant cradle is definitely the best choice. Strange accessories, particular shapes and so on are useless for the baby to rest well. It is always better to prefer simplicity to eccentricity when it comes to children.

Toys also represent a surplus that should be avoided. The baby can grow well even without a soft toy for the first few months of life, especially in the crib. An accessory that doesn’t hurt anyone could be a dream catcher carousel to be placed high up, on the side of the crib, not in contact with the baby.

Choose a simple kitchen

Inside the cradle, as mentioned before, it is necessary to limit the occurrence of dangers as much as possible and, therefore, it is better to avoid objects that could make the baby’s sleep dangerous.

The linen must be in cotton, without ribbons, bows, or laces that could be swallowed or twisted around the child’s limbs, creating a real trap.

The sheet must be well anchored to the bottom of the cot and well tucked under the mattress to always prevent the baby from twisting around it.

Furthermore, it is very important that the bed linen is hypoallergenic and non-toxic and these are characteristics that the mattress and pillow must also have when the child is older.

Static cradle or rocking cradle?

Between these two possibilities, the choice falls solely on the parents. A rocking cradle, which is also able to transform itself into a static cradle, can certainly be useful in the event that the newborn may have some problems falling asleep or suffers from colic. The swinging movement could certainly benefit the serenity of the child and it is the same movement that the mother makes when she holds him in her arms.

The material and the shape

As mentioned, the material is not a fundamental parameter for the choice of the cradle, but it is its characteristics that must push in one direction rather than another. Whatever material you choose, it is important that this is: non-toxic, hypoallergenic, removable and washable and when as natural as possible. It goes without saying that the best materials could be untreated wood and pure cotton, but wicker baskets are also excellent.

As for the shape, you have to choose whether you prefer a fixed cradle or a transportable cradle and this depends on the needs and habits of the parents.

The size must comply with European safety standards (precisely 60 cm.) and if you prefer the bed directly, you must accessorize it with special reducers and bumpers.

The characteristics of the mattress

The perfect mattress for a baby’s crib should be latex or rubber, which are preferable to foam rubber. In addition, the mattress should be firm and thin enough and should be the same size as the cot. Inside the cot, never leave empty spaces in which the child could get stuck.

Better avoid the pillow

The pillow is not recommended until at least the first year of the life of the newborn. The reason is very simple. During sleep, the child should assume a position as horizontal as possible to avoid any risk of suffocation.

Better the cradle next to the bed of the parents

For at least the first 4 or 5 months of a baby’s life, it is best to place the crib as close as possible to the parents’ bed. Many cradle models have a removable side panel and also various systems to bring the cradle closer to the bed. This proximity is essential to immediately understand if something is wrong during the baby’s sleep, but you must never sleep in the same bed because it is very dangerous. If you immediately opt for a cot without going through the cradle, it is important that special bumpers and reducers are used so that the child can feel protected and contained in his small environment. You may also like to read How to clean humidifier filter?