Product Hazards - Bassinets and Cradles

Bassinets and cradles provide small sleeping spaces for the youngest babies, allowing parents to keep the sleeping baby close to them in their bedroom or elsewhere in the house. However, they should only be used for infants before they start to push up or roll over. Once a baby can move around more than a little, the products are not stable and secure.

Never add padding or soft bedding to a bassinet or cradle. When using a bassinet that attaches to a play yard, always make sure the connection is secure and remove the attachment while not in use.

In 2008, one million Simplicity bassinets such as this one were recalled by retailers after 2 deaths. CPSC knows of at least two other deaths since the recall. Babies become entrapped when the fabric covering becomes loose, creating an entrapment hazard.

A recall or a corrective action had been issued for other bassinets or cradles for various reasons such as risk of serious injury or death from fall hazards; choking or entanglement hazards; entrapment or suffocation; and risk of injury from the product tipping.