Baby Gear Tips: Bassinets and Baby Safety
Baby Gear
Obie Editorial Team
Choosing the Right Bassinet
For parents who are taking a bassinet as a hand me down, make sure it is sturdy and safe. There should be no splinters, peeling paint or worn spots where strength could be compromised. If the bassinet has been passed down from generation to generation, chances are greater that lead based paint may have been used – though still miniscule at best. If there is any question, have the bassinet repainted by a professional using low fume paints safe for a nursery. The painting should be completed months before the baby is born.
If buying a new bassinet, weight the cost verses the return. Babies will use the bassinet only a short time and the cost is often around $100 to $200 for a quality bassinet. A bassinet mattress and bedding will also need to be purchased. Some parents opt to place the crib in the bedroom for the first few months in place of buying a bassinet. If the crib does not fit through the door and it has been assembled in the nursery, parents can choose a pack and play unit with a bedside attachment. When the play area is assembled, a flat bedding area can be butted up against the bed next to mom. This allows mom to breastfeed baby in the middle of the night, as needed. The unit can be moved around so parents can take turns caring for baby in the middle of the night.
Safety Precautions for a Bassinet
Buying or using a bassinet is a very personal choice. Some parents see no use in spending the money on something with no longevity and others love the idea of bedding next to baby. Bassinets can be a safe choice for baby during those first few months when everyone needs some comfortable sleep.