In-depth reviews guided by a Pediatrician

BabyBjorn Cradle Review

Nice bedside cradle with machine washable mesh and mattress
Top Pick Award
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Price:   $390 List | $350 at Amazon
Pros:  Very breathable, machine washable
Cons:  Expensive, easy to compress mattress, MDF board
Manufacturer:   BabyBjorn
By Juliet Spurrier, MD and Wendy Schmitz  ⋅  Jan 20, 2019
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67
OVERALL
SCORE

RANKED
#5 of 13
  • Ease of Use - 35% 5
  • Breathability - 25% 9
  • Sleep Surface - 20% 6
  • Quality - 15% 8
  • Eco-Health - 5% 5

The Skinny

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 and higher quality materials make this a great free-standing bassinet that we think many parents will love.


Compare to Similar Products

(change comparison)
 
This Product
BabyBjorn Cradle
Awards Top Pick Award Editors' Choice Award Editors' Choice Award  Editors' Choice Award 
Price $390.00 List
$349.99 at Amazon - 10% off		$170.00 List
$169.99 at Amazon		$435.00 List
$365.00 at Amazon - 16% off		$1,160.00 List
$906.50 at Amazon - 22% off		$210.00 List
$222.99 at Amazon
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Star Rating
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Pros Very breathable, machine washableBudget-friendly, super accessible and portableNatural materials available, adjustable height, easy to reach babyGood at soothing, stylish, effective safety featuresMesh breathability, swivel versatility, easy access to baby bedside
Cons Expensive, easy to compress mattress, MDF boardNot as eco-healthy, frustrating setupExpensive, hard to moveConcerning EMF, expensive, may not work for every babySpot clean only, hard to move from room to room
Bottom Line Nice bedside cradle with machine washable mesh and mattressGreat portable co-sleeping bassinet with a nice priceEasy access to baby in a quality wood co-sleeper that looks greatA well-built bassinet that might help soothe but we feel the EMF exposure is riskyGreat for c-section moms and parents who'd like a safer alternative to co-sleeping
Rating Categories BabyBjorn Cradle Clear-Vue Co-Sleeper babybay Bedside... SNOO Smart Sleeper HALO Bassinest...
Ease Of Use (35%)
10
0
5
10
0
8
10
0
6
10
0
5
10
0
6
Breathability (25%)
10
0
9
10
0
7
10
0
10
10
0
10
10
0
8
Sleep Surface (20%)
10
0
6
10
0
9
10
0
7
10
0
9
10
0
8
Quality (15%)
10
0
8
10
0
8
10
0
10
10
0
9
10
0
9
Eco Health (5%)
10
0
5
10
0
5
10
0
6
10
0
5
10
0
5
Specs BabyBjorn Cradle Clear-Vue Co-Sleeper babybay Bedside... SNOO Smart Sleeper HALO Bassinest...
Assembled Weight 12.1 lbs 22.1 lbs 28.6 lbs 35.1 lbs 33 lbs
Open Dimensions 26"H x 31.5"L x 18"W 34.8"H x 34.5"L x 20.3"W 37.1"H x 36"L x 20.7"W 31"H x 35.5"L x 20"W 36.9"H x 45.3"L (base) 33.8" (bassinet) x 21.8"W (bassinet)
Age/Height/Weight Limit 6 Months or 18 lbs Discontinue Use When Infant: Pushes Up On Hands And Knees 5 Months or 18 lbs Discontinue Use When Infant: Pushes Up On Hands And Knees 5 Months Discontinue Use When Infant: Pushes Up On Hands And Knees Discontinue As An Attachable Baby Bed When Infant: Rolls Over Or Pulls Up To A Kneeling, Sitting Or Standing Position 6 Months or 25 lbs Discontinue Use When Infant: Pushes Up On Hands And Knees 5 Months or 20 lbs Discontinue Use When Infant: Pushes Up On Hands And Knees, Pulls Up, Rolls Over, Sit Unassisted, Can Move Out Of The Security Of The Walled Sleep Area
Product Care Machine Wash Mattress: Wipe Clean Mattress Sheet: Machine Wash Metal Frame: Wipe Clean Lining: Machine Wash Wipe Down Sleep Sack, Sheet: Machine Wash, Tumble Dry Mattress: Spot Clean Sheet: Machine Wash Base and Mattress: Spot Clean
Bassinet Mattress Height Above Floor 15.4" 19.5"-25.5" Adult Mattress Height 24"-30" 3"-27" Adult Mattress Height 10"-31" 22" 26.5"-33"
Special Features Springy Movement Adjustable Legs Made From Solid Wood SNOO Sack Attaches To Safety Clips, 3 White-Noise Sounds, Rocks Baby When Baby Cries, Adjustable Settings, Mobile App For Alerts, Reports and Settings, Ambient Light Sensor Rotates 360 Degrees, Sidewall Lowers
Modes Bassinet Bassinet Bedside Sleeper Bedside Sleeper Bassinet Bassinet Bedside Sleeper
Chemical Flame Retardant Free Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Portable Design No No No No No
Wheels No Yes No No No
Mesh Sides Yes - Full Yes - Full Wood Slats Yes - Full Yes - Full
Included Accessories None Fitted Sheet None Snoo Sacks (Small, Medium, Large), Fitted Sheet Fitted Sheet
Available Accessories Fitted Sheet, Canopy Arm's Reach® Clear-Vue™ Au Naturel Mattress Pad, Puppy Luv Music Box, Replacement Strap and Plate Classic Mattress, Cooling Comfort Mattress, Eco-Organic Mattress, Cloud Comfort Mattress, Cooling Comfort Jersey Sheet, Snuggle Comfort Terry Sheet, Dry Comfort Mattress Protector, Classic Comfort Mattress Pad with Cotton Cover, Cooling Comfort Mattress Pad with Dry Comfort Mattress Protector, Organic Comfort Mattress Pad with Dry Comfort Mattress Protector, Cloud Comfort Mattress Pad with Dry Comfort Mattress Protector, babybay Organic Babynest, babybay Patterned Babynest, babybay Solid Colored Babynest, Bassinet Conversion Kit, Rolling Casters, Canopy Holder, Organic Canopy, Patterned Canopy, Solid Colored Canopy, Bed Frame Anchor, babycare Organizer Snoo Sack, SNOO Smart Sleeper 100% Organic Cotton Fitted Sheet, SNOO Leg Lifters (2-pack), SNOO Shorty Legs Fitted Sheet, Mattress Pad, Mobile Sleepy Owl, Mobile Whimsical Birds, Storage Caddy, Newborn Insert
Set Up Time 7:19 29:20 (58:34 total with redo) 39:14:00 27:10:00
Materials Polyester, Cotton (website), Polyurethane (Manual) Strong Nylon Cloth, Cotton Polyester Blend, Nylon Woven Strapping, Polyurethane Foam Beechwood, Water-Based Finishes, CFC Polyurethane Foam Sleep Sacks: GOTS certified organic cotton and polyester mesh Fitted Sheet: 100% Organic Cotton Mattress Cover: Polyester, Polyurethane Mesh: Nylon, Polyester Polyester Fiber, Polyester Fiber Batting, Polyurethane Foam

Our Analysis and Test Results

The BabyBjorn Cradle is a stand-alone bassinet that can be used close to the bed.
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 Cradle is harder to use than some of the competition; especially if your goal is a true co-sleeper.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 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.
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.
The Cradle earned a second place score for eco-health by using certified materials with little off-gassing.

Eco-Health


The Cradle earned a 5 of 10 for eco-health which is slightly above average and just below the high of 6 in this gear category. BabyBjorn Takes the eco-health of their products seriously and offers more information than most brands on the materials they use.


This product doesn't use chemical flame retardants according to Oeko-Tex® Standard 100 certification but the mattress is polyurethane foam like the competition. The Cradle also uses a California Air Resources Board (CARB) Phase 2 MDF board which limits formaldehyde emissions from composite wood products but it still contains formaldehyde which is not ideal. We wish BabyBjorn would replace this board with a more eco-healthy option and the inclusion of the MDF hurt its overall eco-health score. We do like that this bassinet includes:

All fabrics are kind to your baby's skin and safe to taste. Free from health hazardous substances and certified according to Oeko-Tex® Standard 100, Class I for baby products.

Its lack of flame retardant chemicals and Oeko-Tex® certification helped its eco-health score, but the MDF and polyurethane prevented it from scoring higher. 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.
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