Medically Reviewed By:- Dr. Gabriela Ambriz González & Fact Checked By:- Payal Mamotra
Key Takeaways:
Yes, vibrating bassinets are entirely safe for newborns as they meet all safety standards set by CPSC and are certified by JPMA. However, it’s essential not to leave the vibrations ON for extended periods as babies may become dependent on them for sleep.
You’ve heard about vibrating bassinets because they are becoming pretty popular nowadays.
This is because it helps babies calm & fall asleep faster. But is it true? We will explore some evidence that supports this view.
The vibrating bassinet is not something like a traditional rocking bassinet that moves the baby back and forth to soothe and help them feel relaxed.
But It’s totally different from the rocking motion.
To get a glimpse of why babies like this vibration, Assume you are in the mother’s womb (water ball), and someone is hitting this ball with a gentle push that produces vibrations.
You have been enjoying & familiar with this stimulation for the last nine months. So, getting this again helps you to feel relaxed, calm, and safe.
But before we move forward, it is essential to know a few things, such as is a vibrating bassinet is safe for newborns or not? Can a baby sleep in a vibrating bassinet? If Yes, how long can the baby sleep in it?
Are there any effects of vibration on an infant’s health or anything else to be concerned about?
Well, everything you want to know about vibrating bassinet will be answered in that article with the help of proof and evidence. That helps you to make valuable decisions for your infant’s safety. So, keep reading.
Is Vibrating Bassinet Safe for Newborn Babies?
Vibrating bassinets are entirely safe for newborns because they meet all the safety standards set by CPSC & are certified by JPMA. So, there is no need to worry about it. However, it would be best to remember not to leave the vibrations ON for a long time because the babies become addicted and refuse to fall asleep without it.
Apart from that, there are no hazards to your baby’s health & safety.
On the plus side, it not only helps your baby to sleep comfortably, but it also helps to breathe easily.
Scientifically, it improves infants’ breathing, heart rate, oxygen desaturation, etc., according to a study conducted by Harvard University.
A vibration-based therapy known as stochastic resonance (SR) stimulation can successfully treat preterm infants experiencing apnea of prematurity, disrupted breathing, bradycardia (slowed heart rate), and oxygen desaturation (diminished oxygen levels).
Another research on the “Effectiveness of the Contours Vibes™ soothing vibrations infant” examines how the vibrating sleeping surface for infants increases sleep quality and health.
VMC had significant improvements in some sleep and health outcomes compared to Baseline.
Dr. Mallika Marshall has developed a vibrating mattress for infants that helps them to breathe easily.
This vibrating bassinet pad comes with various vibration levels, which is very helpful for the baby to fall asleep faster.
For example, place your baby in the bassinet and set the vibration to maximum (use the hit and trial method), encouraging the baby to fall asleep. When they feel sleepy, they put it to a lower level.
So, ask yourself now, is a vibrating bassinet safe for newborns? When doctors use that technology to develop devices that help infants sleep quickly.
I’m a big fan of the auto shut-off feature of the bassinets.
For instance, you have done a lot of work and feel tired. But you have to wait for your baby to fall asleep so that you can switch off the vibration!
This pain is over now, thanks to the Halo Bassinest Swivel Sleeper & Fisher-Price Soothing Motions Bassinet that comes on the market with a built-in auto shut-off feature.
Note: If your baby has trouble sleeping in the bassinet or seems uncomfortable, try these helpful tips: How can you get a newborn to sleep in a bassinet? & How To Make a Bassinet More Comfortable?
Some bassinets are even more innovative than these two. Nowadays, modern bassinets are designed with Auto Cry Detection Technology.
They respond to the baby’s cry and vibrate the bassinet along with other features like white noise (that the baby used to hear since from the mother’s womb) and music to put the baby back. So you don’t need to wake up in the middle of the night.
Why Do Newborns like Vibration?
Babies like vibration because they are already addicted to it before birth. When a baby is unborn, he is in the water balloon in your womb. They face a lot of vibration & noise from your heartbeat, regular movement, rushing blood, etc.
Everything you do during the day, your baby experiences in your womb. Such as when you are talking, walking, etc.
Watch this video by Harvey Neil Karp, an author and child development specialist, to understand why the “SHHHHhhhhh” sound helps you to soothe your baby.
All these things send gentle vibrations to your unborn baby, which is why you infants like vibration.
I hope now it’s clear why vibration is good for newborns!
Many Vibrating devices are available in the market that you can attach to a crib, bassinet, pack-n-play, or stroller to sooth the baby.
Some of them come with music & nightlight to keep watch on the baby at night without lighting the whole room; here is the list of the best-vibrating attachments for the bassinet.
Effects of Vibration on Infants
There are no side effects of using a vibrating bassinet, except the one baby can be addicted and refuse to sleep without it, which will become very difficult for you to manage later on.
Apart from that, there are many positive effects of Vibration on Infants;
- Baby falls asleep faster than other standard bassinets because they feel safe, like in the womb.
- They sleep quickly when you ON the vibration because it reminds them it is time to sleep.
- The baby sleeps longer in a vibrating bassine because they enjoy it, which results in excellent growth.
- Studies showed it helps infants to take breaths easily and improves heart rate, especially in preemies babies
- 30% of infants face reflux until they become one year old, and vibration helps reduce coli in the baby.
Don’t take any risks with baby safety. If you use a vibrating product such as a vibrating toy, mattress, pillow, etc., you should ensure that you don’t leave the vibration on the whole night.
A baby can get addicted to it, so use it wisely.
Note: It’s important to discontinue use of the bassinet after 6-8 months or according to the safety guidelines provided by the manufacturer. For further assistance, refer to our article on ‘When to Stop Using a Bassinet?‘”
Word of Advice
Buying a bassinet with vibrating features already embedded in it is less expensive and less of a hassle than going out about buying separate attachments.
A wide variety of bassinets are on the market; you can find the perfect one at every price point. Try these options for the best vibrating bassinet in 2024.
All these bassinets are designed for the parents’ specific needs. If you need help choosing, read our Ultimate Guide: How to pick a bassinet?
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. Is vibration good for newborns?
As per Dr. Mallika Marshall, a study conducted by Harvard University and an experiment conducted by the national library of medicine state that an infant sleeping on a vibrating surface increases their sleep quality, breath health, and & improves heart rate. So, vibrating is suitable for a newborn.
Q2.) Are vibrating bouncers, chairs & seats safe for newborns?
Yes, bounces and seats (chairs) are excellent and safe for infants as they follow the guidelines set by CPSC. So you don’t need to worry about it. But always pay attention to vibration speed & how long you are using it to soothe your infant. Make sure you use it in moderation.
Now it’s your turn; let me know how you like our guide; is a vibrating bassinet safe for newborns?
Drop your valuable feedback and experience with a vibrating bassinet to help other moms make a quick decision.
And remember to share the article because sharing is caring.
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Harvinder Singh
Senior Content Writer
Harvinder Singh is an engineer & certified project manager who founded Getforbaby to assist parents with their newborns. He inspired by his experiences with his nephews, Harvinder aims to simplify parenting by sharing his knowledge. Read More
We believe you should always know the source of the information you’re seeing.
- Harvard University – Good Vibrations: November 23, 2015
- National Library Of Medicine Gov – Sound And Vibration: Effects On Infants
- Rednose.Org.Au – Are Vibration Devices Okay To Use In Babies Bassinet? Last Updated On 19-10-2020
- Oxford Academic – Vibration-Induced Motor Responses Of Infants– Published: April 01, 2012
- Webmd.Com – Shaken Baby Syndrome, By Danny Bonvissuto and Reviewed by Arefa Cassoobhoy, MD, MPH on July 14, 2020
- Unicef.Org – How Music Affects Your Baby’s Brain: Arefa Cassoobhoy, Md, Mph On July 14, 2020
- Nature.Com – Reducing The Symptoms Of Infant Colic By Introduction Of A Vibration/Sound Published: April 1987
- national library of medicine: – Effectiveness of the Contours Vibes, Published on 2022 Jan-Mar;
- Dandelion Medical.com:- WHAT’S THE BUZZ ABOUT VIBRATION? September 06, 2023
- Community from:- Babycenter, Whattoexpect & Reddit.
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