We’ve always known that our pediatrician-designed SNOO Smart Sleeper is a safe bassinet for your little one to snooze in for their first six months. SNOO is so safe, in fact, that over 150 hospitals all over the world place their tiniest patients in SNOO. And now, we are beyond proud that the FDA has authorized SNOO as the first—and only—medical device to keep sleeping babies safely on their backs…which is the number one safe-sleep recommendation by all public health authorities in the U.S., including the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). Here, everything you need to know about what makes SNOO so darn safe.

SNOO Safety Feature #1: SNOO Sack Safety Clips

SNOO Sack swaddles aren’t just any swaddle. They feature patented looped “wings” that slide onto SNOO’s built-in safety clips. That means once your precious little one is swaddled in their cozy SNOO Sack and clipped into the bassinet, they’ll remain safely on their back all sleep long. That’s important because almost two-thirds of infant sleep deaths occur when babies are placed on—or roll to—their side or stomach. It’s why the National Institutes of Health states that placing a baby to sleep on their back is the single most effective action parents can take to lower their baby’s risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS).

SNOO Safety Feature #2: Safety Lock

New parents have a lot on their minds! Fortunately, SNOO saves parents from worrying whether they’re using the Smart Sleeper correctly. SNOO has a no-fail safety feature that ensures you can never turn on SNOO’s gentle all-night motion without first engaging the safety clips.

SNOO Safety Feature #3: Flat, Firm Sleep Surface

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) is super-clear: All babies must sleep on a firm, flat, non-inclined sleep surface. When a baby is put to sleep in an inclined sleeper or swing—or too-soft surface, like an adult bed—it increases their risk of suffocation, entrapment, and SIDS. SNOO features a flat mattress that’s the just-right mix of firm and comfy, ensuring safe and cozy sleep for your baby. Plus, when a team of reviewers from pediatrician-led BabyGearLab examined the sleep surfaces of 14 top-selling bassinets of 2023, they concluded that SNOO was the overall best, noting its firmness, stability, and fit as top-notch. And unlike inclined bouncers and swings, SNOO gently rocks your baby all night long without ever placing Baby in a dangerous inclined position. (Learn why rocking bassinets soothe babies.)

SNOO Safety Feature #4: Breathable Mesh Sides

Many bassinets are made from the same cushy, not-so-breathable fabrics used in now-banned crib bumpers. SNOO, on the other hand, features mesh sidewalls that allow air to flow in and out with ease. SNOO’s surrounding mesh is so breathable, in fact, that when the experts at BabyGearLab compared more than a dozen popular bassinets, they awarded SNOO a perfect 10 in breathability. Beyond the unparalleled air circulation, SNOO’s mesh sidewalls also meet or exceed all finger pinching and flammability standards.

SNOO Safety Feature #5: Hip-Safe Swaddle

Using the proper swaddling technique—snug around your little one’s arms, but loose around the hips and legs—promotes healthy hip development in babies. But nailing down the ideal swaddle strategy during 2am wakeups is, well, tricky. The good news is when you use SNOO Sack there’s no guesswork when it comes to hip-safe swaddling. Once you secure your wee one inside the sack, you can rest assured that there’s plenty of room for your sweet pea to bend, flex, and open their hips easily. It’s why the International Hip Dysplasia Institute has declared our sack hip-healthy. (Bonus: Because SNOO Sack is a zip-up swaddle, it can’t unravel!)

SNOO Safety Feature #6: Wide, Stable Base

SNOO’s hairpin legs do more than add a stylish flair to your favorite bassinet: The outward angled legs, wide base, low center of gravity, and the slip-resistant foot pads all work together to provide the utmost stability. That means, curious older siblings and fur babies simply cannot tip SNOO over. And our Low Legs tick off all the same safety boxes…just while holding SNOO a smidge over 10 inches off the floor instead of the original 17 inches.

SNOO Safety Feature #7: Breathable Accessories

Placing your baby on their back in a bare sleep space, with their head and face uncovered is the best way to protect them from overheating. We already know that SNOO keeps babies on the back and its secure swaddle means no loose bedding that could cover your little one’s head and face. But SNOO can do even more to keep babies cool and comfy: All of Happiest Baby’s SNOO Sacks and SNOO sheets are made with high-quality GOTS-certified organic cotton. Breathable fabrics made from natural fibers, like organic cotton, keep little ones warm, while still promoting airflow…for less sweaty sleeping. Synthetic fabrics, on the other hand, aren’t breathable and can increase your bub’s risk of overheating in their sleep. (Learn more about protecting your baby from overheating.)

SNOO Safety Feature #8: Rental & Certified Pre-Loved Guarantee

It’s understandable that many parents-to-be look for previously loved bassinets. (Babies are expensive!) But Consumer Reports advises against purchasing second-hand cribs and bassinets. Not only do you risk purchasing a possibly recalled item, but over time, the integrity of a second-hand crib or bassinet can weaken thanks to hardware or joints loosening, changes in humidity during storage, or simple wear and tear. The safer alternatives: renting SNOO or buying a Certified Pre-Loved SNOO. Each new-to-you SNOO goes through a rigorous five-step cleaning and sanitization process with hospital-approved products. It’s then tested and inspected to ensure that all levels of motion and sound, safety clip sensors, and more are in tip-top shape before SNOO is certified-safe and shipped out. 

Learn more about SNOO:

• Dr. Harvey Karp’s Tips to Help Baby Get Used to SNOO
• The Ideal Time to Order SNOO
• Is SNOO a Sleep Positioner?
• SNOO Discounts You Don’t Want to Miss
• Where to Buy SNOO

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Disclaimer: The information on our site is NOT medical advice for any specific person or condition. It is only meant as general information. If you have any medical questions and concerns about your child or yourself, please contact your health provider.