The BabyBjorn Cradle is a stylish and straightforward bassinet made primarily of polyester mesh and wood. This product is one of the most breathable with a skin-friendly mesh material that surrounds the sleeping area offering visibility and air circulation as well. We like that all of the fabric parts are machines washable (a rare find in this group) and that it is easy to set up and small enough to keep by your bed. This bassinet is one of the most expensive in the review making it a poor choice for families on a tighter budget, but the soothing rhythmic sway, eco-friendly fabrics, and higher quality materials make this a great free-standing bassinet that we think many parents will love.
BabyBjorn Cradle Review
Nice bedside cradle with machine washable mesh and mattress
Price:
$390 List | $350 at Amazon
Pros: Very breathable, machine washable
Cons: Expensive, easy to compress mattress
Manufacturer: BabyBjorn
Pros: Very breathable, machine washable
Cons: Expensive, easy to compress mattress
Manufacturer: BabyBjorn
By Juliet Spurrier, MD and Wendy Schmitz ⋅ Nov 2, 2017
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The Skinny
Compare to Similar Products
Our Analysis and Test Results
The BabyBjorn Cradle is a stand-alone bassinet that can be used close to the bed.
Björn and Lillemor Jakobson started BabyBjörn in 1961 The company is headquartered in Stockholm and still family owned. BabyBjörn's goal is to create functional, safe products that help families in their everyday life. BabyBjorn is continually striving for quality solutions and improvements. The company offers simple, modern takes on classic designs without unnecessary details. BabyBjorn believes gear should appeal to mothers, fathers, and babies. They provide products suitable for newborn up to three years old.
Performance Comparison
The comparison chart below includes the overall scores for each bassinet in this review including the BabyBjorn (blue).
The sections below provide details on the BabyBjorn's performance during testing. The overall score is calculated using the individual metric scores with an emphasis on ease of use and breathability.
The Cradle is harder to use than some of the competition; especially if your goal is a true co-sleeper.
Ease of Use
The BabyBjorn earned a 5 of 10 for ease of use.
This metric incorporates daily features and functionality.
While a little harder to access from the parent bed, the Cradle can be used close to the bed and your baby can be reached in the middle of the night.
Accessibility
This bassinet is small enough to keep bedside, light enough to move away from the bed if it were in the way and low enough to see baby while laying in bed. Unfortunately, the lower height may make it challenging to reach baby while sitting up in bed and you will probably have to get out of bed to manage it.
The feet of the Cradle make it easier to arrange the bassinet closer to the bed.
Portability/Mobility
While this product doesn't have wheels or an easy way of moving it from room to room, it is relatively light at just over 12 lbs. This lighter weight combined with 26"H x 31.5"L x 18"W measurements means you can move it if you need to without much trouble. It is not suitable for travel, however, with no carry case and easy way of folding it.
Ease of Setup
It took about 7 minutes and 2 seconds to set up this bassinet. Set up is simple and requires a screwdriver to connects the legs.
Cleaning
The fabric is machine washable but needs to be hung to dry. Even the mattress can be machine washed, something the majority of the competition couldn't boast.
With fully breathable mesh sides the Cradle offers superior breathability.
Breathability
The BabyBjorn earned a 9 of 10 for breathability.
The Cradle is one of the most breathable options we tested with a bassinet surround made of polyester mesh. The only non-mesh fabric is about 4 1/2 inches wide on each end with the required warning labels. We feel it is unlikely that baby will be unable maneuver themselves such that they will be unable to breathe through the sides of this bassinet.
The Cradle sleep surface performed average compared to the competition.
Sleep Surface
The BabyBjorn earned a 6 of 10 for the sleeping surface.
The mattress on the Cradle is about one inch thick and is the most compressible which translates to reduced support for baby and potential or little ones to be resting on the bottom of the bassinet with little cushy feeling.
The Cradle may be thick but it easily compresses under pressure offering less support for your baby.
The mattress does fit nice and snugly inside the bassinet floor and doesn't shift even when we tried to force a finger into the space near the sides. But, the design could create a low spot should your baby scoot down into one of the ends.
The Cradle uses high-quality materials put together with attention to detail.
Quality
The BabyBjorn earned an 8 of 10 for quality. With a simple, stylish design, it looks good compared to the competition without the typical "babyish" vibe it can fit in with almost any decor.
This product is made with high-quality materials and has a sturdy design. The legs press down to create a rocking motion, and it rocks back and forth without feeling unstable. There is a keen attention to detail with no loose threads and fabric or poor connections that wiggle when they shouldn't.
The Cradle earned a second place score for eco-health by using certified materials with little off-gassing.
Eco-Health
The Cradle earned a 9 of 10 for eco-health. BabyBjorn Takes eco-health of their products seriously and offers more information than most brands on what is inside the materials they use.
This product doesn't use chemical flame retardants according to Oeko-Tex® Standard 100 certification. This bassinet is JPMA certified and listed as ASTM F2194.
Manufacturer Video
Accessories
The Cradle has two possible accessories to improve your bassinet experience.
- BabyBjorn Fitted Sheet for Cradle — This fitted sheet is specifically for the Cradle by BabyBjorn. This means it is your safest choice when looking for a sheet to use with this product. This sheet is 100% organic cotton, it has elastic edges to ensure it stays put, and it is machine washable for convenience and hang to dry.
The canopy on the Cradle is a breathable mesh that offers some light filtering and privacy for little ones.
- BabyBjorn Canopy for Cradle — This canopy is made specifically for the Cradle and is composed of mesh for optimum breathability. it is easy to attach, and the screen provides light filtering properties as well as more cozy feel while still providing ventilation.
— Juliet Spurrier, MD and Wendy Schmitz