Gina Johnson
Pram bassinets are convenient for parents to let their babies sleep while on the go. However, they are not designed for overnight sleep. Pram bassinets are not approved for overnight sleep in Australia and New Zealand, and safe sleep experts do not recommend their use as a substitute for a cot. Pram bassinets have a higher risk of suffocation, entrapment, and falls. They are also not suitable for babies who start to roll and shuffle in their sleep. However, some parents have used pram bassinets for overnight sleep for a few days while travelling or camping, and some pram companies advertise their products as approved for overnight sleep.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Safety | Safe sleep experts advise against using pram bassinets for unsupervised sleep. |
| There are no Product Safety Standards for Pram Bassinets in Australia. | |
| Pram bassinets are not substitutes for cots. | |
| Babies should sleep on their backs in their own safe space for the first 6 months. | |
| Pram bassinets are narrower than sleeping bassinets, increasing the risk of suffocation. | |
| Babies can suffocate if the bassinet has the wrong mattress or if pillows or quilts are used. | |
| Babies can fall out of bassinets if the sides are not high enough. | |
| Pram bassinets are not approved for overnight sleeping in Australia. | |
| Some pram bassinets are approved for overnight sleeping in other countries, such as the UK and the USA. |
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What You'll Learn
- Pram bassinets are not approved for overnight sleeping in Australia
- Pram bassinets are narrower than regular bassinets, increasing the risk of suffocation
- Babies should sleep on their backs in their own safe space for the first 6 months
- Avoid loose items in the pram bassinet, such as quilts, soft toys, and bumpers
- Pram bassinets should have a firm mattress and smooth sides that are at least 300 mm high
Pram bassinets are not approved for overnight sleeping in Australia
The Australian safe sleep expert body, Red Nose, states that a pram bassinet is not a substitute for a cot and should never be used for unobserved sleep. Product Safety Australia (ACCC) also does not include overnight sleep in its mandatory standards for prams and strollers.
Pram bassinets are much narrower than a sleeping bassinet, meaning there is less room for a baby to sleep safely. Even with mesh sides that are breathable, a baby's nose can press up against the mesh and block their breathing. As babies breathe almost exclusively through their noses until at least 4 months of age, ensuring they have enough space to sleep is essential.
Additionally, there is a risk of suffocation if the bassinet tips over, the sides are not high enough, or the wrong mattress is used. Babies can also be at risk of falling or becoming trapped if they are left unharnessed in a pram bassinet.
While some pram bassinets may be marketed as safe for overnight sleeping, it is important to follow the recommendations of sleep experts and use a standalone bassinet or cot that meets Australian safety standards for overnight sleep.
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Pram bassinets are narrower than regular bassinets, increasing the risk of suffocation
Pram bassinets are not considered safe for unsupervised sleep. Pram bassinets are narrower than regular bassinets, and this lack of space increases the risk of suffocation. Even with mesh sides that are breathable, when a baby's nose presses up against the mesh, it can block their nose and cause suffocation. Babies breathe almost exclusively through their noses for at least the first four months of their lives, so it is essential to ensure they have enough space to sleep safely.
In addition, there are no mandatory safety standards for bassinets in Australia, and no Product Safety Standards for Pram Bassinets are enforced in the country. This means that pram bassinets are available in a range of shapes, sizes, materials, mattress firmness, and ventilation. Without a recommendation from Red Nose or Product Safety Australia, parents are taking a risk if they choose to substitute a cot with a pram bassinet.
Pram bassinets are classified as part of the pram itself, and therefore must comply with the Australian and New Zealand standard 'Prams and strollers—safety requirements' AS/NZS 2088:2000. Compliance with this standard requires a warning label on all prams stating, "Do not leave children unattended".
While some pram bassinets may be approved for overnight sleeping in other countries, it is important to be aware of the risks associated with their use. It is always recommended to follow the safety guidelines provided by the manufacturer of your pram bassinet.
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Babies should sleep on their backs in their own safe space for the first 6 months
Pram bassinets are not considered a safe substitute for a cot or bassinet and are not approved for overnight sleeping. They are classified as a "transport device" and must be used under supervision.
Babies should sleep on their backs, in their own safe space, for the first six months. This is because sleeping on the back provides them with airway protection and reduces the risk of sudden and unexpected death in infancy (SUID), which includes Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). Sleeping on the back also reduces the risk of choking on vomit, as the upper respiratory airways are positioned above the oesophagus, which is the tube that carries food from the mouth to the stomach.
To create a safe sleep environment, make sure the baby lies on a firm mattress with a fitted sheet. Avoid covering them with loose bedding, such as a sheet, blanket, or quilt. Instead, dress them in enough sleep clothing to keep them comfortable throughout the night. It is important to maintain a comfortable temperature in the baby's room, as overheating has been suspected to play a role in SIDS. Any blankets used should be securely tucked under the mattress and positioned so that they only reach the baby's chest.
It is recommended that babies sleep in their parents' bedroom—in their own crib or bassinet, not in the parental bed—until they are at least six months old.
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Avoid loose items in the pram bassinet, such as quilts, soft toys, and bumpers
Pram bassinets are not considered safe for unsupervised sleep. Pram bassinets are not approved for overnight sleeping in Australia and are unlikely to be in the near future. This is because there are no Product Safety Standards for Pram Bassinets enforced in Australia.
Loose items in the pram bassinet, such as quilts, soft toys, and bumpers, should be avoided. This is because they can increase the risk of SIDS and SUDI through suffocation and overheating. Soft surfaces can also cause babies to slump forward, affecting their breathing.
Babies should sleep on their backs in their parents' room for the first 6 months. They should sleep in their own safe space, such as a cot or standalone bassinet. A safe sleep area can help reduce the risk of SIDS and other sleep-related deaths, such as accidental suffocation.
If you are using a pram as a bassinet, it is important to ensure that it has a wide, stable base and a sturdy bottom so that it won't tip over. The mattress should fit well and be firm, smooth, and no more than 75 mm thick. The sides of the bassinet should be at least 300 mm higher than the top of the mattress base to prevent babies from falling out.
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Pram bassinets should have a firm mattress and smooth sides that are at least 300 mm high
Pram bassinets are not considered safe for unsupervised sleep. There are no Australian safety standards for pram bassinets, also known as carry cots, as overnight sleeping environments. Pram bassinets are classified as part of the pram and fall under the Australian and New Zealand standard ‘Prams and strollers—safety requirements’ AS/NZS 2088:2000. Compliance with this standard requires a warning label on all prams stating “DO NOT LEAVE CHILDREN UNATTENDED”.
If you are using a pram as a bassinet, it is important to ensure the mattress fits well and is firm, smooth and no more than 75 mm thick. The sides of the bassinet should be at least 300 mm higher than the top of the mattress base to prevent infants from falling out and suffering serious injuries. A stable base and sturdy bottom are also necessary to prevent the bassinet from tipping over.
Babies can suffocate if the bassinet has the wrong mattress or if pillows or quilts are used as mattresses. Pram bassinets are much narrower than sleeping bassinets, and even with mesh sides that are breathable, a baby's nose can press up against the mesh and block airflow. As babies breathe almost exclusively through their noses until at least 4 months of age, ensuring they have enough space to sleep is essential.
While some pram bassinets, such as the Silver Cross Coast and UPPAbaby Vista, are approved for overnight sleeping, they are not a substitute for a cot and should only be used under supervision.
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Frequently asked questions
No, pram bassinets are not considered safe for unsupervised sleep.
Pram bassinets are much narrower than regular bassinets, meaning there is less room for the baby to sleep safely. The sides of a pram bassinet may also be too low, which can be dangerous if the baby is very active in their sleep.
A standalone bassinet or a cot that meets Australian safety standards is recommended. A travel cot can also be used for overnight sleeping when away from home.
If you are using a pram bassinet for sleeping, ensure that it has adequate ventilation and a stable base that won't tip over. The mattress should be firm, smooth, and no more than 75 mm thick. Avoid using any loose items such as quilts, soft toys, or bumpers that could block airflow and increase the risk of suffocation.
The Uppababy Vista pram with bassinet and the Silver Cross Coast pram with bassinet are two examples of prams that have been approved for overnight sleeping. However, it is important to note that these options may not be suitable for all babies, especially as they grow and become more active in their sleep.
