Newborn Bassinet Safety: CPSC & AAP Guidelines Explained!

The bassinet is a great choice for the newborn, there is no doubt about that. But you need to find a safe bassinet. A bassinet is safe when it meets the U.S. CPSC safety standards. I will discuss more those safety standards later. But now let me give you a simple statistics.

Among 1990 to 2004, a study was done on bassinet death of the infant. Around 24% of those bassinets had blankets, pillows, or plastic bags in them. I am revealing these statistics to you because a good quality bassinet is safe, but it is your wrongdoings that may be responsible for the bassinet death.

CPSC Guidelines for Newborn Bassinet Safety

Due to the increasing bassinet death, U.S. CPSC had recalled many bassinets. And they updated their bassinet safety policy. Here is the gist of them:

• A smooth surface of the bassinet is a must.
• Make sure all the hardware components of the bassinet are invisible. Visible hardware sticking out of the bassinet is a safety hazard for the baby.
• The bassinet should have a wide base with the sturdy bottom.
• Snugly fitter tight mattress. Make sure the mattress has a hard surface. Don’t worry about the comfort of your baby, he will get used to it.
• Edge of the bassinets should be made from breathable materials like mesh.

Extra Precautionary Measures for Bassinet Safety

The standards set by the CPSC are fundamental and every bassinet manufacturer must follow it. Following those standards is likely to reduce the chance of SIDS significantly. But as a parent, we can do a lot more mistakes even though we have the safe crib. So, you should follow the guidelines as well as extra precautions:

• No Blanket: Ever put the blanket inside the bassinet. You may think your baby is feeling the chilling cold, but don’t put the blanket. Instead, you can use the pajamas. You should not put anything in the bassinet that did not come with the original package of the bassinet.
• Careful with Sleeping Position: As per AAP, your baby should always sleep on his/her back to avoid SIDS. Even if your baby loves to sleep on her stomach, change the sleeping position. But if your baby can roll over on stomach back on himself, you should worry too much about the sleeping position of your baby. Sleeping on the back is always advisable even your baby sleeps in the bassinet, crib, or pack and play.
• Say No To Old Bassinets: Old bassinets are dangerous for the newborn. An old bassinet loses its integrity and sturdiness. So, don’t try to buy any old bassinet from the Craigslist or from anywhere. Even someone offers you an old bassinet for free, don’t use it. Always buy a new one for your newborn baby.
• No To Bed Sharing: Don’t use the bassinet as a co-sleeper or don’t even think about bed sharing. Lots of infant death happened due to bed sharing. You can share the room, but definitely not the bed with your newborn.
• Swaddling: You can swaddle your baby. But don’t do it too tightly. Make sure your baby can at least move his hip. If your baby tries to roll over, stop swaddling immediately.
• Mobile & Accessories: To soothe the baby, musical mobile with toys is a great option for parents. Almost all the newborn love the lullaby and the moving mobile. You should never install the mobile in the bassinet where the newborn can easily reach it. Install it somewhere else where the baby can see it but can’t touch it.
• Make sure your baby is not sleeping on a couch, sofa, or armchair. These are extremely dangerous places to sleep for a newborn.

What Should Parents Do?

AAP recommends breastfeeding the baby for at least 6 months. You can continue breastfeeding more if you and your baby feel okay about this. Remember, breastfeeding your baby reduces the chance of SIDS significantly. A safe bassinet can make it easier for you to breastfeed your baby.

Also, don’t smoke and drink during or after the pregnancy. Don’t take illicit medicine like sleeping pills either. They may not let you awake when your baby needs you most. AAP also recommends, room sharing as it is proven to reduce the chance of SIDS as well. You can always keep a sharp eye on your newborn always.

Sleeping on the back of the baby on the bassinet is the most important thing you should remember. Some parents may think sleeping on the back may lead to choking, but there are no scientific reasons behind it. The airway anatomy of the baby makes it easy to breathe easily when sleeping on the back.

Also, don’t forget to make sure there are no loose parts like pillows, blankets, bumper pads, stuffed toys in the bassinet. They won’t do any good but may lead to the deadly consequences.

Summing Up

Some baby products claim to be risk-free of SIDS like wedges, positioners, special mattress, or specialized sleeping surface. As per AAP, those products have not shown to reduce the risk of SIDS. So, buy baby products with extra care.