Latest news with #cribs
Forbes
28-05-2025
- General
- Forbes
Bassinet Vs. Crib: Which Is Best For A Baby?
Bassinets and cribs are both safe sleep spaces for babies. They provide a firm, flat surface for the essential sleep your baby needs, which is about 16 or 17 hours per day for the average newborn, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). While bassinets are designed specifically for newborns and young infants, cribs can be used for newborns, older babies and even toddlers. As long as your baby is small enough to safely sleep in a bassinet, determining which is best is a matter of preference, budget and space. 'Bassinets are a smaller sleep space designed specifically for newborns,' says Dr. Barbara Taylor-Cox, a pediatrician at Memorial Hermann. They're often designed to be in the parent's or caregivers' bedroom, and they can also be found on travel cribs, pack and plays and strollers. Most bassinets are only safe for babies until around 6 months. Cribs are typically larger than bassinets, though you can purchase a smaller mini crib as well. Because they're bigger and the mattress can be lowered, cribs can be used for years, while most babies outgrow even the best bassinets within a few months. To help you determine which is best for you, here are some pros and cons of each. Pros Cons Pros Cons Bassinets and cribs are both safe sleep spaces for babies. However, bassinets can become an unsafe space more quickly than cribs. Many babies outgrow bassinets around four to six months, often when they reach 15 to 20 pounds or when they are able to roll over, at which point the surface becomes unsafe. When it comes to cribs, safety and use can be extended by simply lowering the mattress once your baby starts to roll or pull up. Many cribs have three mattress height settings. 'The thing to remember with both bassinets and cribs is always check the safety specifications that are on the product that you buy because there may be a little variability. Those specifications will give you the weight and length limits for mattresses,' says Taylor-Cox. It's important to make sure you use the right crib mattress size for your crib, too, since cribs and mattresses are usually sold separately. When choosing a bassinet, be sure to choose one that provides your baby with their own sleep space. 'The bassinet should be self-contained, not a co-sleeping item or bed extender,' says Culler. Although it can be tempting to sleep with your baby, it's not considered a safe practice. 'You can lay down with your baby, you can do all that wonderful stuff, but do not fall asleep with your baby in your bed or next to you. Unfortunantely, there's always the risk of a very tired parent rolling onto their baby,' says Taylor-Cox. Regardless of which you choose, use a tightly fitted sheet, and don't put anything else in their sleep space—no blankets, pillows, stuffies or bumpers. When you set your baby down, always put them on their back. These are all ways to reduce the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). Ultimately, if you have the means to use a bassinet first for your newborn and then a crib when your baby outgrows it, that's often the best option. 'My recommendation is to use both—bassinet for the first several months and a crib thereafter,' says Culler. If you need to squeeze a safe sleep area into a tight space, a bassinet is probably your best bet. However, if space is not a concern, you can start with a crib and skip the bassinet altogether if you want. For newborns and very small babies, a bassinet is a good investment. 'We typically use a bassinet for newborns until about six months of age, or the rule of thumb that we use [as pediatricians] is when the baby starts to roll over, then you need to move on to a crib and get them out of the bassinet,' says Taylor-Cox. If your baby is already nearing 15 pounds or is starting to show signs of rolling, then it might be best to skip the bassinet altogether since they'll likely outgrow it soon. In the long run, choosing a crib will save you money since it reduces the amount of baby gear you need to buy. While bassinets are often more affordable than cribs, your baby will still eventually need a crib even if they start off in a bassinet. 'The main thing I want to add for parents is it's not time to bargain shop when it comes to cribs and/or bassinets,' says Taylor-Cox. She explained that a used crib may not be safe. It may have unseen damage and may not meet the most recent safety standards. If you need to save money, the best way to do that is to only buy one product and make it a good crib. 'A lot of cribs can be lowered and converted to toddler beds, which is really economically feasible,' says Taylor-Cox. If you want something small that allows you to keep your newborn in your bedroom, a bassinet is the best choice. If you're looking for a one-time purchase that your baby can sleep in well past their first birthday, opt for a crib. 'Parents should remember both bassinets and cribs are safe. If you're lucky enough to have a bassinet then we say start in the bassinet, but a bassinet isn't required like a crib is,' says Taylor-Cox. The baby and kids gear team at Forbes Vetted has combined decades of experience in both parenting our own kids and covering parenting topics. As parents ourselves, we know how important it is to make the right decisions for our babies when it comes to major purchases like bassinets, cribs and crib mattresses.
Forbes
06-05-2025
- Health
- Forbes
Is Your Nursery Endangering Your Infant Or Toddler?
Give your newborn the healthiest, safest crib and nursery possible. getty Becoming a parent is one of the most exciting and fulfilling things you can do in your life. It can also be one of the scariest. You want to make all the best decisions possible for your baby and hope you have the best information for doing so. What if the details you hadn't considered endangers your child's health and safety? According to a new study from the University of Toronto published last month in Environmental Science & Technology, that might be the case. Mattresses and bedding are the potential hazards the report addressed, but there are others as well, as experts explain. The university study used samples from 25 bedrooms of children ranging in age from six months to four years in Toronto and Ottawa and detected elevated concentrations of dangerous chemicals in the rooms' air. In a companion study, the researchers went further, purchasing 16 mattresses to analyze for chemical emissions into the air. 'They varied in which chemicals of concern were in them and the levels. There was no pattern according to brand or price point,' explained research director Miriam Diamond, a professor in the college's School of the Environment. Nine of the mattresses had foam from Canada, she shared; the others had foam from US or of uncertain origin. All of their covers were made from imported textiles, she added. What about environmental certifications, I asked her? Could they provide assurance to parents that the mattresses they were purchasing were safe for their babies? 'No, unfortunately not,' she replied, noting that one out of two certified mattresses that her team tested did not meet the terms of the certification. 'We're most concerned with the very young as their organs and brains are still developing,' Diamond shared. So what can parents do to keep their babies healtheir and safer? First, she suggested purchasing neutral-colored bedding. 'Brightly colored items like sheets and sleepers could have higher levels of UV-filters to prevent the colors from fading.' She also suggested washing the bedding regularly. 'Washing removes some or most of the chemicals." Another suggestion the professor offered, 'Add an extra protective layer between the mattress and where the child sleeps. I recommend a cotton terrycloth towel. All textiles can accumulate a lot of these chemicals and especially terrycloth that has a high surface area.' Those too should get washed with the bedding. Jonsara Ruth, executive director of the Healthy Materials Lab at Parsons School of Design in New York, had additional mattress shopping advice for parents: 'First and foremost, before purchasing, ask the manufacturer to ensure that there are no added flame retardants.' Avoid buying mattresses made of polyurethane or offering added chemical treatments such as 'Stain and Water Repellants,' she advised. In general, 'Beware of mattresses that claim fireproof, antimicrobial, or water-resistant,' she cautioned. Many manufacturers use fabrics with forever chemicals that are linked to childhood diseases, Ruth added. 'Even though it sounds convenient to have a moisture resistant cover on the mattress, avoid vinyl. Petrochemical ingredients used to make vinyl like vinyl chloride are carcinogenic, off gas VOCs and contain phthalates [forever chemicals] which are linked to cancer and developmental problems.' Healthier Alternatives 'Choose mattresses made with natural latex rubber, wool, or cotton fills. Healthy options can include coconut fiber, horsehair and natural latex rubber in filling, springs and insulator pads,' Ruth suggested. 'Thankfully there are several materials that are waterproof and stain resistant that do not contain harmful chemicals.' A few manufacturers make mattress covers and pads from wool, she noted. This naturally water-resistant material also regulates body temperature, 'so it is proven to be soothing to a sleeping infant whose body temperature fluctuates often during sleep and often wakes them up,' she noted. (There are very few things a new parent cherishes more than a baby sleeping longer!) 'Organic textiles eliminate the use of harmful chemicals throughout the production process,' she explained. 'Healthier sheets and blankets can be made of organic linen, hemp, cotton and wool.' Bonus Mattress And Bedding Tip You may be tempted to tuck your baby in with her favorite stuffies. This too can be problematic, Diamond commented. 'Declutter the sleeping area by minimizing stuffed animals, bumpers, etc.,' the professor advised. 'De-cluttering the bedroom is probably a good idea also. We found an association between several of the chemicals and the contents of the sleeping environment,' she added. Other Nursery Furniture Advice 'Furniture, especially cribs where babies spend the majority of time, is another category to be carefully considered,' Ruth commented. 'Laminated wood products often contain formaldehyde which is problematic – exposure to formaldehyde can lead to asthma and is linked to cancer. Also, the finishes used to protect wood are often based in petrochemicals, which contain chemicals of concern.' Since children often teethe or chew on the edge of a crib, it's better if that finish is not toxic, she added. There are several companies that make solid wood furniture that either has natural finishes or none at all that you can paint with zero VOC paints. 'Avoid any furniture made with compressed wood products, which often contain large amounts of glue/adhesive that can contain formaldehyde,' she cautioned. Ask a retailer or manufacturer for the product's ingredients or a safety data sheet to see what you're buying. Since those documents can be tricky for non-professionals to decipher, Ruth suggested these resources for new parents: Healthy Babies Bright Futures, Children's Environmental Health Network, and Made Safe. Shopping Tips Is buying these safer products – especially mattresses – likelier to cost more, I asked the Healthy Materials Lab director. Unfortunately, they do have higher price tags, she replied, but noted that there are a range of models, some less costly. When it comes to other nursery essentials, like cribs and changing tables, 'Buying second-life solid wood furniture is better because the off gassing from unhealthy finishes has already happened,' she suggested. These will also typically save you money (and be more environmentally friendly. Final Thoughts When it comes to the furnishings going into your baby's room, 'Manufacturers need to be more vigilant,' Diamond stated. Governments can play a role with more protective legislation. 'But governments can't do it all! Manufacturers need to take responsibility!' she concluded. *** Interviews were conducted by email in April and May 2025.
