Is It Safe To Use An Old Bassinet? Risks And Precautions

What if your newborn could pose a choking hazard due to the loose parts of the bassinet or what if the old mattress is worn out and it no longer ensures a safe and comfortable environment for the baby? 

An old bassinet lacks proper ventilation, which leads to overheating or suffocation. 

Parents need to be sure while choosing a bassinet for babies. If you have babies of comparative ages like me and intend to use an old bassinet for generations, then be sure that the bassinet meets safety guidelines.

It’s a wrong idea to reuse a bassinet without knowing well the condition of the bassinet. 

I know it’s a tradition to use an old bassinet for the next generation. But your baby’s safety is your utmost priority. If you want to use an old bassinet safely, you must refinish the bassinet before using it. 

So, let’s proceed with caution. 

How Do You Determine An Old Bassinet Is Safe for Your Baby?

Safety standards for baby products evolved over the period. It’s important to prioritize the baby’s safety. First of all, you have to determine Do You Need A Bassinet For Your Baby or Not?

Then decide what will you prefer. To buy a new bassinet or go for the old one?

Here are some factors to understand that you can use your old bassinet without any doubt. If you don’t match these factors with your bassinet, then it is recommended to buy a new one. 

• Bassinet age shouldn’t exceed more than 10 years
• Wicker bassinet is the safest option as they are woven from organic components and are chemical free
• Working locking mechanism
• Side walls are enough breathable
• Adequate space between panels
• No wear and tear on the fabrics
• Firm and even mattress
• No cracks or loose parts
• No sign of damage
• The bars can be placed rightly
• No missing parts
• Not wobbling while moving
• Sturdy frame
• There should be no drop sides
• No recalls
• The bassinet meets current safety standards

What are the Possible RISKS of using an Old Bassinet?

If the bassinet is damaged or the structure body is not quite sturdy, then it will pose hazards to the baby. Using an old bassinet may carry risks such as 

• Baby won’t get enough secure place inside bassinet due to lack of current safety features. 
• A baby may tip over if the side panels are loose.
• If the screw, hinges, or fasteners become old, it may not give a secure place for your baby inside it. 
• If the mattress becomes uneven and lost its firmness, it leads to suffocation of the baby.
• The older bassinet has some decorative features which can accidentally wrap around the baby’s neck or limbs. 
• A growing baby leans pressure on the sides. It leads to injuries or falls off the baby if the frame is not sturdy enough. 
• There’s a height and barrier risk of an old bassinet. As they do have not adequate height, babies can experience potential risks to climb or fall off. 
• A bassinet can accumulate dust or allergen compounds over time. The baby’s skin is so delicate and sensitive. That’s why it affects the respiratory health of the baby.  
• You may find difficulties in cleaning the bassinet. It accumulates dirt and germs, molds that are difficult to clean. It poses a respiratory infection in the baby. 
• Some of the old bassinets may contain harmful toxic materials, it’s not the safest option to choose. 

Safety Considerations to Keep in Mind While Using An Old Bassinet

Newborns are prone to experience health hazards due to simple mistakes of parents. 

Yeah, It’s true that you can’t use a fully wrecked bassinet for your baby. Because it is not safe for your baby. But if the condition is quite good, then definitely you can reuse it. Heter is some safety factors to consider while using an old bassinet:

1. Age and Condition

Assess the condition of the bassinet. Look for any wear and tear in the fabric and rusty appearance in the frame. If the whole hardware is broken then you should go for a new bassinet.

2. Safety Standards

It’s crucial to meet the current safety standards of the bassinet. Otherwise, it poses a risk. Old bassinets may not well adhere to current safety recommendations by manufacturers. They should follow the guidelines of the Consumer Product Safety Commission ( CPSC ).

3. Stability

A bassinet must not wobble or tip over. The structure should be robust and sturdy. An unstable bassinet is not safe for a baby. It should support the weight of the baby. 

4. Mattress and Bedding

It is not good for a baby to use thick or soft bedding. Because it leads to suffocation. It should fit snugly around the edges of the bassinet without gaps. Otherwise, your baby’s head gets stuck in the gaps. 

5. Look for Recalls

Try to find out the recalls of the bassinet that are updated on the manufactures recall database. 

6. Read Instruction Manual

Check the manual to know the safety precautions and expiry date. If you already lost the instruction manual, try to collect an online copy of the manual guidelines. 

How To Make An Old Bassinet Safe for Baby?

If you are not experienced to fix the old bassinet, then get help from a professional to repair it. Here are some steps to refinish an old bassinet with a view to making it safe for the baby. 

1. Repair or Replace Damaged Parts

First of all, check for any damaged or broken parts. Then fix these with a repair kit or you may add some rattan joints to fill up the gaps. If the parts can not repair properly, then replace them with new parts.  

2. Thorough Cleaning

Take some mild cleaning agents with lukewarm water to clean all parts of the bassinet. Old bassinets are prone to accumulate allergens or specks of dirt. To make the bassinet free from dust you need to clean the bassinet thoroughly. 

Here is a detailed guide: How To Clean a Bassinet (4 Easy Steps)

3. Ensure Proper Mattress Fit

The old mattress becomes soft and doesn’t hold the baby snugly. That’s why you should buy a firm mattress with the current safety standards of the bassinet mattress. 

4. Change the Fabrics

A mattress cover and the liner is also crucial to make a safe environment inside the bassinet. Change the fabrics based on your needs. Please go for waterproof and breathable fabrics. You may be wondering how many sheets need for the baby, read here How Many Bassinet Sheets Do You Need | Determining The Ideal Quantity.

5. Remove Potential Hazards

Don’t put any stuffed materials that lead to suffocation. Remove the decorative ribbons or bows. Correspondingly it tends to strangulate the baby. 

6. Check Safety Standards

Research the current safety standards of the bassinet. Compare the features of the bassinet with the new one. As a result, you will find it easy to understand where to put your effort to make it safe for your baby. 

7. Stay Updated on Recalls

Check the manufacturer’s guidelines about recalls and stay up to date with their website recall information. 

8. Follow Safe Sleep Practices

In order to maintain a safe sleep environment inside the bassinet, you must learn to follow safe sleep practices. It is included with a firm mattress, neck, and head control, no pillow use, breathable fabrics, and avoiding overheating. Do you have a cranky baby? Don’t worry, here is the way How To Get A Newborn To Sleep In Bassinet  (6 Tips).

9. Paint the Bassinet

After taking all the steps, now it’s time to give the bassinet a new look. To mask minor scratches, you can use baby-friendly paints in the bassinet. 

10. Monitoring and Supervision

Remember, never leave your unattended in the bassinet. Check the baby frequently to ensure optimum safety. Place your baby bassinet in your room. It helps you to take care of them properly. Read more- Where To Place A Bassinet In A Small Bedroom | Dominate Limited Space. 

How Can You Reuse An Old Bassinet Safely?

I wanted to use my first baby Linda’s bassinet for my second baby. But the condition was not pretty good. That’s why I used it for her daytime naps and arranged another sleeping environment for nighttime. 

• Donate the bassinet to a needy family or local charity if it meets safety standards.
• You can sell or trade it with someone. 
• An old bassinet can be transformed into various places that suit your needs. It can be your baby’s toy storage or a comfortable pet bed. Not only these, but you can also make some creative decors with it. 
• A bassinet is used for a short-term duration. Usually, it is used until your baby turns six months old. So, considering the condition and time of use you can pass it on to your relatives. 
• If the bassinet is lack safety standards, then you can recycle it by disposing of the materials.
• If you love to paint, then you can turn it into your craft organization. It keeps your accessories more organized and easily accessible. 
• Filling the bassinet with soil, you can easily make it a garden planter. The looks will be more amazing and unique. 
• The most important creative thing is you can use an old bassinet for your children’s photo shoots. Remember to line it or cover it with your own favorite equipment.

Final Words

There’s no exact expiry date for a baby bassinet. But you should say goodbye to your older baby’s bassinet if it doesn’t safe anymore. Don’t put your baby’s health at risk by using an outdated bassinet. 

However, if the condition of the bassinet is not bad yet, then you can easily reuse it safely just by following a few steps. 

More Resources:

Why Does My Baby Hate The Bassinet (8 Reasons & Solutions)

Protecting Baby: How to Keep Cat Out of Bassinet