The SNOO bassinet has become a coveted baby registry staple, promising parents a magical sleep solution. But with a hefty price tag, it’s natural to wonder if it’s worth the investment. As a mom and certified pediatric sleep consultant, I’ve seen firsthand the allure of this high-tech bassinet.

I’ll preface by saying, my approach to parenting tends to lean towards practical solutions that prioritize both baby and parent well-being. And while I appreciate the desire for a product that simplifies those early, sleep-deprived days, I’m here to offer an honest perspective on whether the SNOO is a necessary addition to your baby registry.

WHAT IS THE SNOO BASSINET?

If you’ve never heard about the SNOO bassinet, allow me to quickly bring you up to speed. It is a very high-tech bassinet that was created by Dr. Harvey Karp (author of Happiest Baby On The Block). The SNOO bassinet is designed to auto-respond to your baby’s cries, using sound and motion, to help calm your baby and assist them drifting back off to sleep.

The SNOO bassinet comes equipped with a patent pending SNOO sack. This sack utilizes an inner arm band and a zipper swaddle to keep baby comfortably swaddled all night long. The SNOO sack also clips into the bassinet, keeping baby on their back, and preventing them from moving themselves into an unsafe sleep situation, like rolling onto their belly. 

This top-of-the-line bassinet retails for $1,595. You also have the option to rent the SNOO bassinet for $159/ month with a 1-2 month minimum. Renting will also require a $90 cleaning fee, a $99 deposit and a $60 shipping charge (to send it back).

IS IT WORTH IT?

The SNOO bassinet can be a great option for tired newborn parents. When you are sleep deprived, getting an extra hour of sleep can feel like a huge victory, not to mention necessary.

So, does the product work? Yes, yes it does! By helping your baby connect their sleep cycles, you likely will get longer stretches of sleep unless your baby actually needs something, like a feed or a diaper change. The unfortunate thing is that the rocking becomes a crutch that your baby begins to rely on in order to fall asleep.

During the first few weeks of life, this doesn’t matter so much. You are in survival mode, and I am the first to tell you that [mostly] anything goes. But it doesn’t take long for your little one to wise up and realize that they are depending on this feature to sleep. Which means that without it, they won’t sleep.

The SNOO website recommends waiting until 5/6 months to transition your baby out of the SNOO bassinet into their crib, “even if your baby’s toes touch the bottom of the bed.” Personally, I don’t think you’ll get 6 months of use out of the SNOO (or any bassinet) for one or two reasons.

1. Generally, 6 month old babies are too big for bassinets
2. Most babies at 6 months can (and want to) roll around, which isn’t possible in a bassinet 

MY OPINION ON THE SNOO BASSINET

Ok, so what is MY opinion on the SNOO bassinet? Personally, I am not a fan. I don’t like the SNOO bassinet simply because it isn’t a good value. You are investing a lot of money into something that you really shouldn’t use (with all of its features) for more than a few weeks. Does this mean you need call customer service and see if you can return your SNOO bassinet soon as possible? No, absolutely not!

I’ve worked with plenty of families who are using or have used the SNOO bassinet. When I work with my newborn families, we utilize the SNOO bassinet, even all of its fancy features, for a few weeks, but I make it very clear that it isn’t going to be around forever. The SNOO bassinet is most beneficial when used for the first 5-6 weeks of baby’s life. At the 5/6 week mark, I typically instruct parents to begin using the bassinet’s weaning feature at night. By 8 weeks, it’s ideally turned off at night and by 12 weeks, you aren’t using the motion for naps either.

When infant families come to me still using the SNOO bassinet, it is pretty much the first thing I get rid of. I give them the option to use the SNOO’s wean mode for a few days or cold turkey switch to the crib/ unplug the SNOO. You generally will not see improvement in your child’s sleep until you get rid of the sleep crutches.

WHAT TO USE INSTEAD

Personally, I recommend opting for a simple, affordable bassinet and investing in professional sleep guidance. As a certified pediatric sleep consultant, I can help you establish healthy sleep habits from the start, navigate common sleep challenges, and create a personalized sleep plan for your baby. Let me support you through those tough nights and guide you towards restful sleep for your entire family.

If you’re interested in working with me or you would like to learn more, schedule a free consultation with me. I look forward to meeting you 🤍