As a new parent, the SNOO Smart Bassinet may have caught your attention. This innovative product has gained a lot of popularity due to its ability to soothe babies and improve their sleep patterns. However, while the SNOO Smart Bassinet has some significant advantages, there are also some potential downsides to consider. For many parents, the SNOO can be a useful tool, especially for high sensory needs babies and parents without overnight support, but…like any other sleep tool, it has its pros and cons and best practices for use.
Pros of the SNOO Smart Bassinet:
Soothes babies: The SNOO Smart Bassinet is designed to mimic the sounds and movements of the womb, which can help soothe babies and put them to sleep. The bassinet has a built-in swaddle that keeps the baby snug and secure, reducing the likelihood of them waking up due to the startle reflex.
Improves sleep patterns: The SNOO Smart Bassinet has a feature called "responsive white noise," which adjusts the sound level and motion of the bassinet based on the baby's cries. This can help the baby settle back to sleep more quickly and reduce the likelihood of them waking up for prolonged periods.
Safe: The SNOO Smart Bassinet is designed to meet the highest safety standards. The bassinet has a firm, flat surface, and breathable mesh walls that allow for adequate airflow. The swaddle ensures that the baby cannot roll over and that their face remains clear of any obstructions.
Cons of the SNOO Smart Bassinet:
Baby preference: Let's face it: some babies don't like the SNOO one bit. The built-in swaddle can be cumbersome and prevent them from self-regulating while using their arms/fingers.
Limited use: The SNOO Smart Bassinet can only be used for the first six months of a baby's life. Once the baby outgrows the bassinet, parents will need to invest in a new sleeping arrangement.
It's a sleep prop: At the end of the day, this smart bassinet is a sleep prop that relies on movement to put baby back to sleep. Due to this, we've noticed that by the time baby is 6 months old and it's time to graduate from the SNOO, they've relied on the sleep prop to fall and stay asleep since birth. This can be a tough association to break!
Why hire a night nurse instead?
While the SNOO Smart Bassinet has its advantages, hiring a night nurse is an investment for the future. Here are some reasons why:
Personalized care: A night nurse can provide personalized care for your baby, based on their unique needs. They can offer advice on feeding, sleep patterns, and general baby care, as well as provide hands-on support as needed.
Sleep habits: A night nurse will work with your baby to set up healthy sleep habits from day one. While proper "sleep training" really can't begin before four months of age, there are important skills that you can start teaching baby thatsnoo-smart-bassinet-vs-night-nurse-pros-and-cons-for-new-parents will set them (and you!) up for sleep success.
A guaranteed night of sleep: When you hire a night nurse, you are guaranteed a night of uninterrupted sleep. The night nurse will take care of baby all throughout the night while you sleep peacefully in another room.
Emotional support: A night nurse can offer emotional support to parents who may be struggling with the demands of caring for a new baby. They can provide reassurance, guidance, and a listening ear when needed.
While we are more than happy to work with parents that have bought a SNOO for their newborn, we want everyone to make an informed decision on their baby's sleep. We think it has good attributes, but like any sleep prop, it's not without disadvantages.
Our clients have found that the best investment that they've made in their baby's sleep is hiring a Swaddled Newborn Care specialist.