Many parents know the struggle of not wanting to run the risk of waking their baby by moving them from their pram bassinet to a cot when they’re fast asleep. This is especially true if the pram is the only place where your baby seems to fall asleep peacefully. But are stroller bassinets suitable as replacements for overnight sleeping?
This is what we’re going to look into today. Here, you’ll find all the information you need on using pram bassinets for overnight sleep, the difference between a bassinet stroller and a standalone bassinet, and loads of safety tips.
Key Points
- Pram bassinets should not be used for overnight sleeping.
- Most stroller bassinets do not meet the safety requirements or have the same safety features as standalone bassinets and cots.
- Standalone bassinets and pram bassinets seem similar but are designed for different uses.
- You can use a pram bassinet safely by choosing the appropriate design and conducting regular maintenance.
Content in this article:
- Can A Baby Use A Pram Or Stroller Bassinet For Overnight Sleep?
- Is It Okay For A Baby To Sleep In A Pram Bassinet During The Day?
- What Is The Difference Between Pram Bassinets And Standalone Bassinets?
- What Makes A Pram Bassinet Unsafe To Sleep In Overnight?
- How To Use A Pram Bassinet Safely?
Can A Baby Use A Pram Or Stroller Bassinet For Overnight Sleep?
While it can be tempting to leave your baby sleeping in a pram bassinet overnight, it is not safe to do so. This is because pram bassinets do not have the same safety features as standard bassinets and tend to have sides typically lower than 300mm and ill-fitting mattresses.
This, in turn, can result in a baby rolling over the edge of the pram bassinet if left unattended. It may also increase the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) through suffocation, as a gap could form between the sides and mattress, which a baby could roll into face-down.
Unlike cots, prams, and most other baby gear, there are also no safety standards in Australia for pram bassinets. This means that pram bassinets don’t have to meet any sleep and rest legislative requirements and are available in different shapes, sizes, and materials, some of which are unsuitable and unsafe for overnight sleeping.
Is It Okay For A Baby To Sleep In A Pram Bassinet During The Day?
Pram bassinets are suitable for daytime naps but not for overnight sleeping. It is essential that a baby is never left unattended when sleeping in a pram bassinet, so if you’re letting your little one continue a nap after they’ve fallen asleep in their pram, make sure you keep a very close eye on them.
However, it is best to use their standalone bassinet or cot if you are putting your baby down for nap time during the day. This provides them with a safer sleeping environment and gets them used to sleeping in their cot.
Remember, when placing your baby down for a nap during the day, the same safety rules you’d use at night also apply. Make sure you have removed all soft toys, extra blankets, pillows, and bumpers from their cot. You should also place them so their feet are at the bottom of the cot, as this ensures they aren’t able to wriggle down and get their blanket trapped over their head.
What Is The Difference Between Pram Bassinets And Standalone Bassinets?
While it may seem as though there isn’t that much of a difference between pram bassinets and traditional, standalone bassinets, there are some key differences. These include:
Portability
Pram bassinets are designed to be attached to a stroller for easy transport, making them great for taking your baby with you while you run errands or meet a friend for coffee.
Standalone bassinets are intended more for stationary use, and while they can be moved from room to room as needed, they are designed to be a safe place for your baby to sleep overnight.
Structure
A pram bassinet is typically lighter in weight than a standalone bassinet, and this makes it easier to maneuver as well as add to and remove from the stroller frame with minimal effort. In turn, the base and mattress are made from less supportive materials, which is why they aren’t suitable for overnight sleeping.
A standalone bassinet is much sturdier than a pram bassinet and has a flat, firm base with a mattress that is supportive and safe enough for your baby to sleep on for a long period. Standalone bassinets also have a sturdy, durable frame that holds the bassinet safely in place. Many also feature locking mechanisms that prevent the stand from collapsing.
Size And Shape
As they are designed for maximum portability, stroller bassinets are compact and streamlined to allow them to easily fit within the frame of a stroller. They are also often narrower than standalone bassinets in order to conform with the shape of a stroller or pram, which reduces the amount of space inside for your baby to move.
Traditional, standalone bassinets are much wider and have a spacious design that allows your baby to grow with them until they are at the age where they’ll move into a cot (usually around six months old). This also makes them much more comfortable for longer periods of sleep as they won’t feel cramped or awkwardly positioned.
Safety Features
Stroller bassinets do not have the same safety features as standalone bassinets. So, while they are safe for purpose (taking a baby on long walks in a stroller, for example, they are not suitable for overnight sleeping.
Traditional bassinets have higher sides, adequate ventilation, suitable mattresses, and sturdy frames. These ensure that your baby is able to sleep safely unattended with minimal risk of falling or suffocation, provided you have followed the manufacturer’s directions and implemented external safety measures. This includes removing extra blankets and soft toys and ensuring potential hazards are out of your baby’s reach.
What Makes A Pram Bassinet Unsafe To Sleep In Overnight?
There are several reasons why pram bassinets are unsafe for a baby to sleep in overnight. Firstly, they are smaller than standard bassinets, which makes them uncomfortable for a baby to sleep in for a prolonged period of time and doesn’t allow them room to stretch and move while they sleep.
As pram bassinets are attached to the frame of a stroller or pram, they also present more of a tipping or collapsing hazard. This is because the base they’re on isn’t as sturdy as a purpose-built, standalone bassinet stand, and, in turn, your baby could suffer some serious injuries if left in a pram bassinet overnight.
A stroller bassinet also doesn’t have the same standard of safety features as a standalone bassinet. The sides are typically much lower, and the mattresses are usually thinner, ill-fitting, and less supportive, which can result in a baby rolling over the edge or suffocation.
Finally, stroller bassinets simply aren’t designed for overnight use. As such, you’ll be placing your baby in a sleeping environment that isn’t fit for purpose.
How To Use A Pram Bassinet Safely?
Pram bassinets are a great tool for taking your baby out into the world with you. But, just like all other baby gear, there are certain things you need to do in order to ensure you’re using a pram bassinet safely.
Below, you’ll find some bassinet stroller and pram safety tips.
Pay Attention To The Design
The most important thing you need to do is look at the design of your pram bassinet. It needs to have sides that are at least 300mm higher than the top of the mattress base, a wide, stable base, and a mattress that is firm and fits well.
A pram bassinet should also be able to allow your baby to sleep in a lie-flat position, which is essential in the first six months of their life. Not only does this keep their airways open while they sleep, resulting in a reduced risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS), but it also supports your baby’s spine and muscles as they develop.
It should have a cushioned mattress base to ensure the baby rests comfortably, too.
You should also ensure that the bassinet attachment is easy to use and can be securely fastened to the stroller, as this will prevent the risk of tipping and ensure your baby is as safe as possible.
Weight And Size
It’s also very important that you pay attention to the weight and size restrictions on your pram bassinet and ensure that you stop using it as soon as your baby exceeds them.
There is an increased risk of the stroller frame collapsing under the weight or tipping over if you don’t check. It will also become very uncomfortable for your child to use as they’ll feel cramped and unable to move freely.
Perform Regular Maintenance
You’ll need to perform regular maintenance on your stroller bassinet, including checking for signs of damage on all parts. You should also check bassinet attachments and the screws and bolts of your stroller frame, tightening them as needed to prevent accidental collapse.
Never Leave Your Baby Unattended
Make sure you are always nearby when using a pram bassinet, and never leave your child unattended. As pram bassinets do not have the same standard of safety features as standalone bassinets, they present a greater risk of tipping and collapsing, so you’ll need to keep a close eye on your baby at all times.
Consider Your Comfort
It is also important that you are comfortable while you navigate your baby through the world in a bassinet stroller. Features such as an adjustable handlebar will ensure you have a firm, comfortable grip on the pram at all times, reducing the risk of losing control of it and tipping.
Final Thoughts
While pram bassinets are safe for the occasional daytime nap, they should never be used for overnight sleeping. Instead, move your baby to a separate bassinet or cot that has the necessary safety standards and features needed to ensure they sleep safely and comfortably throughout the night.