Sam
Looking for advice around camping and young babies. Our first baby is due October this year and every year we go camping for 2 weeks over Christmas and new years. We have a caravan and as bubby will be so young we are wanting to use the bassinet attachment for our pram as the babies overnight sleep space. Is this a good idea/is this safe? Is there a better option?
Red Nose Education
There are no safety standards in Australian for bassinets, including the use of a pram.
Prams do carry Mandatory Safety Standards for use as transporting baby, but not for safe sleeping, particularly when unsupervised.
See the following information in relation to use of a pram:
https://www.productsafety.gov.au/products/babies-kids/kids-equipment/prams-strollers
https://rednose.org.au/article/prams-and-strollers
Product Safety Australia & Red Nose have information in relation to using a bassinet for sleep.
See particularly information in relation to height of sides & stability.
https://www.productsafety.gov.au/products/babies-kids/kids-furniture/bassinettes
https://rednose.org.au/article/bassinets
Don’t forget that once baby is attempting to or looking like rolling, baby needs to be moved from bassinet & unswaddled - baby needs the space of a cot & arms free to roll safely.
Most babies are rolling by 4-5mths - some earlier, some later.
Red Nose also has the following information about camping with baby.
In particular consider issues of ventilation when sleeping in a tent or caravan.
https://rednose.org.au/article/how-to-keep-your-baby-safe-if-youre-camping-this-summer