In Depth Baby Product Reviews Led by a Pediatrician

BabyBjorn Cradle Review

Nice bedside cradle with machine washable mesh and mattress
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babybjorn cradle bassinet review
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Price:  $390 List
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Manufacturer:   BabyBjorn
By Juliet Spurrier, MD and Wendy Schmitz  ⋅  Jan 20, 2019
67
OVERALL
SCORE


RANKED
#6 of 13
  • Ease of Use - 35% 5.0
  • Breathability - 25% 9.0
  • Sleep Surface - 20% 6.0
  • Quality - 15% 8.0
  • Eco-Health - 5% 5.0

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. Still, the soothing rhythmic sway and higher quality materials make this an excellent free-standing bassinet that we think many parents will love.
REASONS TO BUY
Very breathable
Machine washable
REASONS TO AVOID
Expensive
Easy to compress mattress
MDF board

Compare to Similar Products

 
babybjorn cradle bassinet review
This Product
BabyBjorn Cradle
Awards Top Pick Award Editors' Choice Award Editors' Choice Award Best Value Award Editors' Choice Award 
Price $390 List
$349.99 at Amazon
$220 List
$220.00 at Amazon
$290 List$220 List
$179.99 at Amazon
$200 List
Overall Score Sort Icon
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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 babyQuick setup, portable, easy access to babyMesh breathability, swivel versatility, easy access to baby bedside
Cons Expensive, easy to compress mattress, MDF boardNot as eco-healthy, frustrating setupExpensive, hard to moveHas some flex in the frameSpot 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 greatOur favorite bassinet for most people works well as either a co-sleeper and a stand-alone optionGreat for c-section moms and parents who'd like a safer alternative to co-sleeping
Rating Categories BabyBjorn Cradle Arm's Reach Clear-V... babybay Bedside Sle... Baby Delight Beside... HALO BassiNest Esse...
Ease of Use (35%)
5.0
8.0
6.0
8.0
6.0
Breathability (25%)
9.0
7.0
10.0
8.0
8.0
Sleep Surface (20%)
6.0
9.0
7.0
8.0
8.0
Quality (15%)
8.0
8.0
10.0
7.0
9.0
Eco-Health (5%)
5.0
5.0
6.0
5.0
5.0
Specs BabyBjorn Cradle Arm's Reach Clear-V... babybay Bedside Sle... Baby Delight Beside... HALO BassiNest Esse...
Assembled Weight 12.1 lbs 22.1 lbs 28.6 lbs 17.5 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 26"-30.5"H x 39"L x 27"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
5 Months or 20 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 Machine Wash 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"
14" - 19"
Adult Mattress Height
18.5"-24"
26.5"-33"
Special Features Springy Movement Adjustable Legs Made From Solid Wood Foldable Rotates 360 Degrees, Sidewall Lowers
Modes Bassinet Bassinet
Bedside Sleeper
Bedside Sleeper Bedside Sleeper
Bassinet
Bassinet
Bedside Sleeper
Chemical Flame Retardant Free Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Portable Design No No No Yes No
Wheels No Yes No Yes No
Mesh Sides Yes - Full Partial - Fabric in Corners Wood Slats Yes - Full Yes - Full
Included Accessories None Fitted Sheet None 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 Waterproof Fitted Sheet 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 6:50 27:10
Materials Polyester, Cotton (website), Polyurethane (Manual) Strong Nylon Cloth, Cotton Polyester Blend, Nylon Woven Strapping, Polyurethane Foam Beechwood, Water-Based Finishes, CFC Polyurethane Foam Polyester, Polyester Fiber Batting Polyester Fiber, Polyester Fiber Batting, Polyurethane Foam

Our Analysis and Test Results

babybjorn cradle bassinet review - the babybjorn cradle is a stand-alone bassinet that can be used...
The BabyBjorn Cradle is a stand-alone bassinet that can be used close to the bed.
Credit: Abriah Wofford

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 children from newborn age up to three years old.

Performance Comparison


babybjorn cradle bassinet review - the cradle is harder to use than some of the competition; especially...
The Cradle is harder to use than some of the competition; especially if your goal is a true co-sleeper.
Credit: Abriah Wofford

Ease of Use


The BabyBjorn earned score for overall ease of use that is just average.


This metric incorporates daily features and functionality.

babybjorn cradle bassinet review - while a little harder to access from the parent bed, the cradle can...
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.
Credit: Abriah Wofford

Accessibility


This bassinet is small enough to keep beside your bed, light enough to move away from your bed if it were in the way, and low enough to see baby while lying 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.

babybjorn cradle bassinet review - the feet of the cradle make it easier to arrange the bassinet closer...
The feet of the Cradle make it easier to arrange the bassinet closer to the bed.
Credit: Abriah Wofford

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 hang dry. Even the mattress can be machine washed, something the majority of the competition couldn't boast.

babybjorn cradle bassinet review - with fully breathable mesh sides the cradle offers superior...
With fully breathable mesh sides the Cradle offers superior breathability.
Credit: Abriah Wofford

Breathability


The BabyBjorn earned an exceptional score 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 babies will be unable to maneuver themselves such that they will be unable to breathe through the sides of this bassinet.

babybjorn cradle bassinet review - the cradle sleep surface performed average compared to the...
The Cradle sleep surface performed average compared to the competition.
Credit: Abriah Wofford

Sleep Surface


The BabyBjorn earned an average score 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 less of a cushy feeling.

babybjorn cradle bassinet review - the cradle may be thick but it easily compresses under pressure...
The Cradle may be thick but it easily compresses under pressure offering less support for your baby.
Credit: Abriah Wofford

The mattress fits nice and snug inside the bassinet floor and doesn't shift, even when we tried to force a finger in near the sides. But, the design could create a low spot should your baby scoot down into one of the ends.

babybjorn cradle bassinet review - the cradle uses high-quality materials put together with attention...
The Cradle uses high-quality materials put together with attention to detail.
Credit: Abriah Wofford

Quality


The BabyBjorn earned an impressive score for quality, coming in at the top of the group. With a simple, stylish design, it looks good compared to the competition. It lacks the typical "babyish" vibe and 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.

babybjorn cradle bassinet review - the cradle earned a second place score for eco-health by using...
The Cradle earned a second place score for eco-health by using certified materials with little off-gassing.
Credit: Abriah Wofford

Eco-Health


The Cradle earned a slightly above average score 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



Juliet Spurrier, MD and Wendy Schmitz
 

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