You want the area where your baby sleeps to be comfortable and safe. If you utilize a cradle the first few months after your child's birth, you should take precautions in order to ensure your baby is sleeping in a safe environment free from obstructions and falling hazards.
Significance
A cradle--also known as a bassinet--is a smaller version of a crib where a baby may sleep when he is a newborn typically up to 6 months of age, according to The New Parents Guide. Cradles may have the ability to rock and are more easily transportable than a crib. Practicing safety standards while your baby sleeps in his crib are important because he can be at risk for Sudden Infant Death Syndrome if not properly cared for while sleeping.
Considerations
While an antique cradle or bassinet may make a lovely hand-me-down, they are likely not up to safety standards, according to Consumer Reports. Instead, it's best to purchase a new cradle that has been reviewed by the Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association, according to the March of Dimes, a nonprofit organization aimed at caring for babies.
Accessories
What you put into your baby's cradle can be just as important as the cradle itself. You should purchase a firm mattress that will keep your baby from rolling onto the crib's edges during sleep, according to the March of Dimes. The mattress should be a snug fit--if you can put more than two fingers in between the mattress and the cradle's edge, the mattress is too small. The sheet should fit tightly across the mattress and no other pillowcases, blankets or large sheets should be in the cradle.
Potential
Most babies stay in their cribs for only a short time--between four and six months, according to The New Parents Guide. When your baby is able to push up on her hands and knees or exceeds the weight limits set forth for her cradle, it is time for her to begin sleeping in a crib, according to The March of Dimes. Allowing your baby to sleep in her cradle when she is too big means she could tip the cradle over, break the cradle or sleep uncomfortably.
Warning
If you have pets in your home or smaller children, beware of allowing them near your baby's cradle, according to The New Parents Guide. Because cradles tend to tip over more easily than a crib, never leave your baby unattended in the event a child or pet could enter the room and tip over the crib. As an extra precaution, place the cradle in a corner of the room where it is more difficult to tip over.
