Related topics
NICU Family Support®
Your gift helps provide comfort and support to families with a baby in the NICU.
Donation amount:
Get the app
Spread the word about March for Babies on Facebook and raise money online.
Baby gear
- Babies need lots of stuff to stay safe and comfortable.
- Get a car seat and make sure you can install it correctly.
- Be sure any pre-owned items are cleaned and the right size.
Bassinets and cradles
Bassinets and cradles are only covered by voluntary safety standards, not mandatory federal standards. We recommend that you use a full-size crib if you can.
Shopping tips
- Buy a bassinet or cradle with a wide, stable base, and a sturdy bottom. Look for a sticker from JPMA (Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association).
- Buy a cradle that barely rocks. If it rocks too much, it can press your baby against the sides of the cradle.
- Make sure there are no splinters, no sharp points or edges, and no small parts that your baby could choke on.
- Buy a firm mattress or pad that fits the bassinet or cradle snugly.
- Buy a sheet that is designed to fit the mattress or pad. Make sure the mattress or pad is no more than 1½ inches thick.
- If you use a bassinet or cradle that folds up when not in use, make sure it locks when it is open.
Safety tips
- The mattress or mattress pad and sheet should be smooth and fit snugly. Do not use a pillowcase or larger sheet.
- If you need replacement parts, make sure they are from the same company that made the cradle or bassinet.
- Do not use a co-sleeper (an infant bed that attaches to an adult bed). There are no safety standards for co-sleepers.
Looking ahead
- Move your baby to a crib as soon as she pushes up on her hands and knees or reaches the maximum weight for the bassinet or cradle.
For more information, visit Babies & Kids on the Consumer Reports website.
June 2008
Copyright 2008, Consumers Union of United States, Inc. All rights reserved. No redistribution allowed.
