How to choose a safe bassinet for your newborn baby

There are so many options out there BUT not all of them pass the safe sleep standards.

Safe infant sleep is our primary goal as parents, we want to ensure we are choosing the safest option possible to keep our little bundle of joy safe. In Australia, there is a grey area when it comes to marketing products for baby sleep. This means, companies can market products for infant sleep when in fact they are not safe and do not pass the safety regulations.

Unlike cots, bassinets do not need to pass a mandatory safety standard before being sold. This means we as parents need to ensure we do some research before purchasing.

A great online resource here in Australia for all information regarding safe infant sleep is RedNose. Here's what they recommend when looking for a bassinet:

• A sturdy bottom and wide stable base so it can’t tip over

• Make sure all four sides of the bassinet are at least 300mm higher than the top of the mattress base to stop baby falling out.

• Firm, flat mattress that’s the correct size for your chosen bassinet – the mattress should be no thicker than 75mm in thickness

• Good breathability zones on all four sides to reduce the risk of suffocation and to provide good ventilation for baby.

They also suggest avoiding decorative trims, ribbons, or thick padded sides – these increase the risk of overheating and suffocation.

And remember, once baby is showing signs of rolling (approx 4 months old), you will need to move them to a cot that meets the Australian Standards.

For more information on safe infant sleep, visit https://rednose.org.au/