subject: Purchasing a Bassinet with Safety in Mind [print this page] Author: Alley Smith
Follow some simple guidelines to ensure your baby will be safer and what to look for when you are purchasing a bassinet. Choose a bassinet that has material where the air can pass through and make sure the pad is securely in place and tie at the top and bottom. If the baby moves around a lot a bumper pad may not be what you want to use in the bassinet as babys face could possibly end up tightly against the pad thus not allowing it to breathe properly. Make sure the base of the bassinet is wide enough on the base and has a sturdy bottom. If your bassinet is on rollers always lock the rollers so bassinet cant move. A portable bassinet and a bassinet with a cradle are a good buy because of its multiple uses. Never carry the baby in the bassinet when moving the portable bassinet. The cradle bassinet should rock slightly and not with a strong rocking motion as this could end up moving the baby too close to the sides of the bassinet. There are several different styles to choose from. It all comes down to what style you would want to go with. There is the traditional oval bassinet. This type is longer than it is wide. Another type is the round bassinet which is the same measurement in all directions. Check the depth in each option and go with whatever you are more comfortable with. As with anything you or a caregiver puts your baby in to sleep, make sure you do not place them on an extra soft mattress or use a pillow or thick heavy bedding. Your bassinet should have sheets that fit the bassinet pad and a have lightweight blanket for the baby. Do not use sheets for the bassinet that are made for a crib or regular bed, baby could become entangled in a sheet that is too large for the bassinet pad. The bassinet pad should fit snugly in the bassinet. Once baby reaches fifteen to twenty pounds or can push up on its hands or roll over it is growing too big for its bassinet. Follow the guidelines that come with your bassinet to ensure the safety of your baby. Have comfort in knowing your baby is close to your bedside making sure you place that bundle of joy back in that bassinet when you are done with the middle of the night feeding. And always use your bassinet with safety in mind.About the Author:
