My Sister-In-Law’s - Hand Me Down - Baby Cradle
It was the big day. We announced to my husband’s family that we were pregnant. They thought the day would never arrive – heck, we’d already been married for three years, and according to Italians, we were way behind schedule! It took all of three seconds for my sister-in-law (who has three children of her own) to ask me what I wanted to borrow. A puzzled look came over my face, but before I could even react she was yelling, “Ma, where did I store the baby cradle?!” A cradle? Already? I was only four months pregnant! Nevertheless, my baby cradle journey began.
A few days went by and sure enough a baby cradle was presented at my doorstep. It was a nice cradle, nothing fancy, plain white with some plaid on the canopy. I probably stared at it for a good thirty minutes before I walked over to it and gingerly touched it to make it rock. Seemed to work well, nothing broken, so it should be okay, right? Well, before making a definitive decision on whether or not to use the hand me down cradle, we decided to look into the current safety features that today’s cradles should have.
A baby cradle comes in many shapes and sizes. It can go from being the basic sleep haven, to being a “go-go gadget” change table that attaches to a parent’s bed. However, despite the bells and whistles, there are a few features that must be non-negotiable.
- Firstly, all cradles need to have a sturdy bottom and a wide, stable base. This ensures the baby will not fall through, nor tip over, when in the bassinet.
- Secondly, if it has an antique design, make sure that the spindles are no more than 2 3/8 inches apart (60mm).
- Thirdly, ensure that all mattresses and padding fit snuggly and securely in the cradle. They should always be firm and smooth before placing the baby in for a nap.
- Fourthly, most modern rocking cradles do not swing more than 10 degrees high under the weight of the baby. This is so a baby doesn’t roll into corner where it can get caught and suffocate. If your baby’s bed does rock (and most do) it is best that you make sure the legs lock for added safety measures.
I went back to the baby cradle sitting in my living room, the one my sister-in-law was so excited to have me use. I checked all the features and luckily for us, it was safe, durable, and in great condition. I sat back and tapped the cradle ever so gently and watched it swing back and forth in a hypnotic motion. Just another warm reminder of what was to come.
About The Author:
Angela Lanci Zaurrini is a talented and successful freelance writer. Her
various writings provide relevant information and wonderfully researched
resources for parents and consumers purchasing baby products. She is a young
and yet experienced educator who earned her B.A. and teaching certification
through Simon Fraser University, Canada. She continues her passion of
sharing knowledge through her numerous writings and educational articles.
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