Best Cradle Reviews 2023

We all know that expectant parents spend a lot before the arrival of the baby, but that shouldn’t be the focus when buying a cradle for your newborn. There are different cradles available on the market, but before you rush and select that cheap cradle to save cost, you need to realize that your baby deserves the best.

A good cradle that’s durable with good safety features will cost from $50 to $350. Within this price range, you should be able to get a cradle that’s built to last, with a rocking or gliding motion that calms the baby and features that guarantee safety and peace of mind.

Choosing the best cradle depends on the needs of the baby and the mother. We shall list the features to look out for and consider when choosing the cradle. These features include:

• Type of cradle
• Design
• Construction material
• Safety features
• Size and dimensions

A cradle is primarily a rocking bed for a newborn and they are usually larger than bassinets, featuring wood, metal, or plastic constructions. Wooden cradles are usually classic and elegant, made from pine, beech, or oak; for this reason, wooden cradles are heavier than their plastic and metal counterparts, but more durable. Wooden cradles may come with an attractive finish, but they can also allow you to hand-paint them. Further, vintage and antique wooden cradles are also more popular and can serve as a family heirloom that can be passed from one generation to another.

Cradles with plastic and metal frames, on the other hand, come in so many varieties and are usually more colorful. Those with metal frames are sturdier but heavier than those with plastic frames.

Most cradles rock, and the rocking motion can either be manually-induced or electrically-powered. Cradles that are electrically powered may either run on batteries or be plugged into an AC adapter. One advantage of battery-powered cradles is that they can be used outdoors and moved from room to room. If you intend to move AC-powered cradles, you need to ensure that there are AC outlets in each room. Moms who are very busy or multi-task a lot favor powered cradles. With manual cradles, you need to push with your arm consistently to provide a rocking motion that suits the baby. Doing this for a long time may cause arm fatigue, but this is the traditional rocker that most parents are used to.

Whatever cradle you choose to buy, you need to ensure that it meets the necessary safety standards required for babies. When it comes to cradles, two safety standards stand out: CPSC and ASTM. CPSC stands for Consumer Product Safety Commission and part of its function includes protecting kids from certain risks of injury or death that may stem from toys, cribs, and cradles in the US. ASTM is a global organization that publishes technical standards for some consumer products and baby products, to ensure that they meet or exceed their standards for safe baby use. A cradle that isn't safe can cause injury or death to the baby, so this criterion shouldn’t be ignored.

Aside from rocking, some cradles are capable of vibrating and swinging. Some may also recline and come with different positions to further increase the comfort of the newborn. There are even cradles that come with entertainment features to keep the baby entertained when awake. Such cradles have features such as mobiles with mirrors that hang above the cradle, natural calming sounds, and multiple children’s songs. These features ensure that the baby is occupied while awake and allows the parents to do other things without having to worry about the baby.

The space available for your cradle determines the size of the cradle you eventually purchase. Cradles are generally smaller than cribs, but some wooden cradles take up a larger area. If the space for your cradle is small, measure the space and look for a cradle with suitable dimensions. But if available space isn't a concern, you can go ahead and select any cradle that’s within your budget range.

If you’ve selected a safety-certified cradle, there are some other safety tips that should be considered. Ensure that the nursery is well-ventilated and the cradle is set far from the drapes or blinds, which can be described as strangulation hazards. Some cradles come assembled, but if not, don’t deviate from the manual when assembling and ensure that the cradle is steady before placing your newborn in it; a shaky cradle might mean a missed step and is a potential hazard. If you’re using a wooden cradle that has slats, ensure that the side bars don’t measure more than 2.375 inches apart. If it measures more than that, the baby’s body may slide out or get stuck.

Some cradles come with different forms of bedding such as sheets, snuggling inserts, and head support. It’s important that the fabrics that make up these beddings be breathable, non-toxic, and machine-washable. Non-toxic bedding will not irritate or cause harm to the baby, and if it’s machine-washable, it would be a lot more convenient for you. Make sure that the mattress or slumber pad is firm and thick, and fits tightly in the cradle to prevent trapping the baby. Also ensure that the cradle has no pointed and sharp edges. For increased safety, select cradles with round, soft edges.

It’s not rare to see cradles that come with wheels or casters for easy mobility or portability. While these wheels aid movement, they can also be a source of hazard. Ensure that the wheels come with a locking feature to prevent the cradle from rolling away when in use. Further, some come with a stand and handle, instead of wheels. It would be advisable for you to select one with multiple harness points to ensure stability and prevent the baby from tipping over.