Moses Bassinet Buying Guide—What to Look For
You’re here because you’ve probably seen a nice-looking Moses bassinet somewhere. They’re cute, stylish, and looks like an effective way to soothe newborns to sleep. You’re right! Moses bassinets are all that and much more!
Given the number of options out there, choosing one can be overwhelming. This guide delves deep into what you should take into consideration when it comes to Moses bassinets.
We’re going beyond the aesthetics here. A Moses bassinet shouldn’t just look good; it should be something that nurtures a sense of safety, too.
What is a Bassinet?
According to the U.S. Product and Safety Commission, a bassinet is a “small bed designed primarily to provide sleeping accommodations for infants that is supported by freestanding legs, a stationary frame/stand, a wheeled base or a rocking base, or that can swing relative to a stationary base.”
Until when can a baby use a bassinet?
The ASTM F2194–12 made it clear that a bassinet is ‘‘intended to provide sleeping accommodations only for an infant up to approximately 5 months in age or when the child begins to push up on hands and knees, whichever comes first.’’
Moses Bassinet Features to Look For
Durable and Sturdy
An ideal baby bassinet should be solidly constructed. There are different materials that a bassinet is made from. Plastic, felt, mesh, and natural materials are some of the popular ones. Natural materials include wicker, bamboo, sisal, and elephant grass.
The ASTM standard recommends that a bassinet should be able to hold the baby without any problems. Apart from that, there shouldn’t be any spaces between the sides to prevent entrapment. It also recommends that baby bassinets should be stable enough to not tip over.
Comfort
The interior of the bassinet has a mattress pad, making it a relaxing respite for your baby. The mattress has to be flat to avoid suffocation or asphyxiation. Another thing you should consider is how well the mattress fits the interior of the bassinet. There should not be any gaps between the mattress and the sides of the bassinet’s interior.
Portability
One of the best features of a Moses bassinet is its portability. You can bring it just about anywhere. All the bassinet add-ons should be easy enough to assemble and dismantle to make this feature extra beneficial.
Canopy
The canopy blocks out the light so that your baby can sleep soundly. As much as possible, the canopy should be fixed to avoid any accidents. Detachable canopies can become falling hazards over time. They also have small parts that can come loose.
The ASTM standard recommends that bassinets should not have unintentional folding requirements or small parts.
Compliance with Safety Standards
It’s always best to do some research before buying one. This is to ensure that the baby bassinet of your choice meets all current safety standards. Manufacturers and importers are required to comply with such standards, one of which is the U.S. Consumer Product and Safety Commission. Another one is the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM).