When you're exhausted, overwhelmed, and desperately trying to help your newborn sleep, it's easy to make mistakes with bassinet use. Some of these errors are minor inconveniences; others pose genuine safety risks. By knowing what to avoid, you can create the safest, most effective sleep environment for your baby from day one. Here are ten common mistakes we see—and how to avoid them.
Mistake 1: Adding Soft Bedding and Accessories
The most common—and most dangerous—mistake is adding things to the bassinet that don't belong there. Despite Pinterest-worthy nursery photos showing bassinets filled with fluffy blankets, pillows, and cute stuffed animals, the safe sleep rule is clear: the bassinet should contain only baby and a fitted sheet.
Why it's dangerous: Loose bedding, pillows, bumpers, and toys create suffocation and strangulation risks. Babies lack the motor control to move away from items covering their face.
What to do instead: Use a sleep bag or appropriate sleepwear for warmth. Keep toys and comfort items outside the bassinet entirely. If you're worried about baby being cold, dress them warmly rather than adding blankets.
Remember: Bare is best. Nothing in the bassinet except baby and a fitted sheet. No exceptions.
Mistake 2: Using a Mattress That Doesn't Fit
Some parents use aftermarket mattresses or add padding to make the bassinet more "comfortable." Others inherit bassinets without the original mattress and improvise replacements.
Why it's dangerous: A mattress that doesn't fit perfectly creates gaps where a baby can become trapped. Additional padding can also change the firmness of the sleep surface, increasing suffocation risk.
What to do instead: Only use the mattress that came with your bassinet. If you need a replacement, buy manufacturer-approved options. If you can't find an appropriate mattress, the bassinet isn't safe to use.
Mistake 3: Continuing Use After Baby Can Roll
When baby starts sleeping well in the bassinet, parents are understandably reluctant to change anything. But continuing to use the bassinet after baby can roll, push up, or approach the weight limit puts them at risk.
Why it's dangerous: A baby who can roll may end up in an unsafe position in the confined space. A baby who can push up or pull may be able to tip or climb out of the bassinet.
What to do instead: Transition to a cot as soon as baby shows signs of rolling, pushing up, or sitting—or when they approach the weight limit. Don't wait for all these milestones; any single one means transition time.
Most babies transition between 3-6 months, but your individual baby's development determines timing. Learn more in our transition guide.
Mistake 4: Placing Baby on Their Stomach or Side
Some babies seem to prefer sleeping on their tummies, and exhausted parents may be tempted to place them in whatever position seems to work. This is one of the highest-risk choices a parent can make.
Why it's dangerous: Stomach and side sleeping are associated with significantly higher rates of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). Back sleeping reduces this risk substantially.
What to do instead: Always place baby on their back for every sleep. If they roll during sleep after they've developed the ability to roll both ways, you can leave them, but always start on their back. If they can't roll yet, gently reposition them if they end up on their stomach.
Mistake 5: Ignoring Weight Limits
It's easy to lose track of exactly how much baby weighs, especially during the rapid growth of the first few months. Some parents continue using the bassinet well past the weight limit.
Why it's dangerous: Weight limits exist because the bassinet's structure is engineered for a specific load. Exceeding this can cause structural failure, mattress sagging, or stability problems.
What to do instead: Know your bassinet's weight limit and track your baby's weight. Begin the transition to a cot when baby is approaching the limit—not after they've exceeded it.
Mistake 6: Not Checking Hardware Regularly
Once assembled, bassinets often go months without being checked. But regular use, vibration, movement, and even baby's activity can loosen screws and connectors over time.
Why it's dangerous: Loose hardware can lead to structural failure. Folding mechanisms that don't lock properly can collapse unexpectedly.
What to do instead: Check all screws, bolts, and locking mechanisms monthly. Tighten anything that's loosened. Before each use, give the bassinet a gentle shake to check stability.
Always check hardware after moving or transporting the bassinet. The jostling of transport can loosen connections.
Mistake 7: Placing the Bassinet in Unsafe Locations
In the chaos of the early days, the bassinet might end up wherever is convenient at the moment. But location matters for safety.
Why it's dangerous: Blind cords near the bassinet create strangulation risks. Heaters and direct sunlight cause overheating. Items that could fall from shelves above are hazardous.
What to do instead: Place the bassinet away from windows, cords, heaters, and overhead hazards. In the bedroom, position it close enough to your bed for easy access but not so close that your bedding could fall into it.
Mistake 8: Using the Bassinet for Supervised and Unsupervised Sleep Interchangeably
Some parents use bassinets with incline features, motion functions running continuously, or with accessories attached that wouldn't be safe for unsupervised sleep.
Why it's dangerous: What might be acceptable during supervised rest (when you're awake and watching) becomes risky during unsupervised sleep (when you're also sleeping or in another room). Inclines, for example, are never safe for unsupervised sleep.
What to do instead: For extended, unsupervised sleep, use the bassinet in its flat position with no incline, stop any motion features once baby is asleep, and remove any accessories. Save inclined positions or continuous motion for supervised rest only.
Mistake 9: Skipping Assembly Instructions
When you're eager to set up the nursery, it's tempting to rely on intuition rather than reading through lengthy instruction manuals. But bassinets have specific assembly requirements for safety.
Why it's dangerous: Incorrect assembly can compromise structural integrity, create gaps or pinch points, or result in mechanisms that don't lock properly.
What to do instead: Read the full assembly instructions before beginning. Follow each step exactly. Don't assume you know better than the manufacturer. After assembly, double-check all connections before use.
Mistake 10: Buying Based on Aesthetics Alone
It's natural to want a beautiful bassinet that matches your nursery decor. But choosing based primarily on appearance can lead to overlooking more important factors.
Why it's problematic: A beautiful bassinet that doesn't meet safety standards, doesn't fit your space, or isn't practical for your lifestyle won't serve you well regardless of how nice it looks.
What to do instead: Start with safety compliance (AS/NZS 2195 in Australia). Then consider practical factors: Does it fit beside your bed? Is it the right type for your needs? Only after confirming these should aesthetics factor into your decision.
Bonus Mistakes to Avoid
A few additional errors we commonly see:
- Buying second-hand without verification: Check for recalls, inspect thoroughly, confirm all parts are present, and ensure safety standards compliance.
- Assuming all products marketed for babies are safe: Inclined sleepers, baby nests, and some other products are not safe for unsupervised sleep despite being sold for babies.
- Not registering the product: Register your bassinet with the manufacturer so you'll be notified of any recalls or safety notices.
- Letting baby sleep too long in swing or bouncer: Transfer baby to the bassinet for extended sleep; these devices are not safe sleep surfaces.
If you're ever unsure whether something is safe, err on the side of caution. The bare bassinet, flat mattress, back sleeping approach is always the safest default.
Learning from Mistakes
If you've made any of these mistakes, don't panic—awareness is the first step to improvement. What matters is what you do going forward. Adjust your practices now, and you'll have created the safest possible sleep environment for your baby.
New parenthood comes with a steep learning curve, and perfect isn't the goal. Safe, informed, and responsive parenting is. By understanding these common pitfalls, you're already ahead of the game.