Lyn Mawby
We have an antique bassinette that is not a standard shape, so we need to have a mattress cut to size. Is there an "approved" foam for babies use. Clark Rubber have assured me that their 23 1 30 grade mattress foam is designed for exactly the same purposes as the 16 1 10 grade used in pre-cut and covered bassinett mattresses. Would you have any advice regarding this please. Thanks Regards Lyn
Red Nose Education
Bassinets - unlike cots, do not have mandatory standards in Australia.
Antique bassinets may pose a specific problem especially in relation to stability, shape, soft padding & any paint or chemicals that may have been used.
While product Safety do not provide specific information about antique bassinets, they do have concerns about other antique products for babies & have provided the following information about cots
It is illegal for retail, second-hand or antique shops and internet sites to supply antique and collectable cots that do not come with mandatory certificates and labels.
https://www.productsafety.gov.au/standards/household-cots
Red Nose has the following information.
As there is no Australian Standard for bassinets, we are careful to keep up to date with reports of accidents associated with their use. To date, the most frequent accidents associated with bassinet use are falls and suffocation hazards.
https://rednose.org.au/article/bassinettes
Product Safety Australia provides the following information
Babies can be injured if a bassinette tips over, the bottom breaks or the folding legs collapse.
Use our tips for buying and using bassinettes.
Ensure the sides of the bassinette are at least 300 mm higher than the top of the mattress base.
Ensure it has a wide stable base and a sturdy bottom so that it won’t tip over.
Ensure the mattress fits well and is firm, smooth and no more than 75 mm thick.
https://www.productsafety.gov.au/products/babies-kids/kids-furniture/bassinettes
Red Nose recommends the use of a mattress that is firm, clean, well-fitting and flat & no more than 75mm thick.
Clark Rubber do cut mattresses for bassinets & as long as it meets the requirements above are suitable.