Crib alternatives

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For the first four to five months of your baby's life, you have some alternatives to a crib, including bassinets, Moses baskets, co-sleepers, cradles, and portable cribs (play yards). They offer a cozy nest near a parent's bed,... See more » For the first four to five months of your baby's life, you have some alternatives to a crib, including bassinets, Moses baskets, co-sleepers, cradles, and portable cribs (play yards). They offer a cozy nest near a parent's bed, and a newborn or young infant might seem more at home in a compact space than in a large, airy crib. But as we mentioned in our Cribs report, we think the best beds for babies are full-size cribs, which are federally regulated, which means they're subject to mandatory safety standards that manufacturers must follow. If they don't comply, the product can be recalled from the market under the Federal Hazardous Substances Act. There are also American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) voluntary safety standards for full-size cribs, which most manufacturers also use as a guideline. Bassinets and cradles are subject to an ASTM voluntary safety standard (juvenile products that don't comply with a voluntary standard can be recalled if the Consumer Product Safety Commission considers them a safety hazard), but are not subject to any mandatory federal safety standards. That's why we advocate full-size cribs over bassinets and cradles, which are the products we'll focus on in this report. Bassinet manufacturers can voluntarily comply with ASTM International (formerly the American Society for Testing and Materials) standards for bassinets (indicated by a Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association or JPMA certification logo on the package), but they are not required to do so. JPMA certification on a bassinet can offer a layer of protection that uncertified models cannot. A bassinet is a compact baby bed made of fabric, wicker, or woven wooden splints; some come with wheels and can usually be moved easily from room to room. Many have a rigid hood that can be attached on one end to block light. Cradles are bassinets that rock from side to side. Both types of baby beds take up little space. As we mentioned in Cribs, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends sharing a room, not a bed, with your baby for his first six months. A full-size crib could go in your bedroom initially, but if you're short on space, a bassinet or cradle (some do double duty) is your next best bet. A bouncer seat, a swing, or a play yard with a bassinet insert are acceptable for an impromptu snooze, provided none has any loose fabric, which is a suffocation hazard. Don't add loose fabric, such as a blanket, comforter, or any type of pillow or stuffed animal. A co-sleeper is an infant bed that fits into or attaches to an adult bed. Because safety standards for co-sleepers haven't been established, the AAP doesn't recommend them, and we don't either. Since there are no safety standards for Moses baskets—a basket with a bottom pad and puffy fabric sides with handles, designed so you can easily tote your baby from room to room—we don't recommend Moses baskets either. In the absence of any safety standards for co-sleepers, the ASTM International has recently agreed to develop co-sleeper or "bedside" sleeper standards after being lobbied by Consumers Union. In the meantime, co-sleepers on the market are not required to meet any standards, and are consequently an "unregulated" product. Consumers Union, the publisher of Consumer Reports, recommends against the use and purchase of co-sleepers until a safety standard is developed. See less »

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Crib alternatives

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