Thank you for this question, and we agree that there is some inconsistency in guidance on this issue. We approached Health Canada for some guidance on this specific issue and were provided with the following feedback in February 2012 which we hope may be of some assistance to you. Please let us know if you have any questions.
Essentially, there is guidance below indicating that some bassinets are considered safe up to their weight / age limits. This is not a universal recommendation for all bassinets - please note the guidance provided below related to cribs and bassinets.
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Hard-sided Portable Cribs:All cribs sold, imported or advertised in Canada must meet the requirements of the Cribs, Cradles and Bassinets Regulations. The Regulations do not make a distinction between standard (or full-sized) and portable (or compact) cribs. Portable cribs are generally smaller than standard cribs. Many portable cribs fold. Health Canada does not recommend or certify cribs; however, for illustration, here are links to some sites that sell portable cribs in Canada:
www.macklems.com/foundations-folding-crib.htm www.bloombaby.com/collection/main.php?sID=83Playpens are distinct from portable cribs. However, some playpen models are referred to as "portable cribs" by the manufacturer in contradiction with othlabelingng that appears on the product. Playpens, which are designed to provide a safe playing environment for babies, are not intended to be used for full-time sleeping accommodation; therefore, they are not subjected to the same stringent requirements as cribs. Playpen models are generally collapsible and relatively more flexible in design than cribs. Given the less rigid design of playpens, they are generally not as structurally solid as cribs. Health Canada does not recommend the use of playpens for unsupervised sleep.
Bassinet Accessories for Playpens: Playpen bassinet accessories are removable accessories that attach to the top rail of a playpen. These products must meet the applicable requirements of the Cribs, Cradles and Bassinet Regulations if they can be used in a stand-alone mode once they are detached from the playpen.
The Regulations do not apply to bassinet accessories intended to attach to a playpen if they cannot be used as a stand-alone unit. Playpen accessories are subject to the Playpens Regulations. However, the Playpens Regulations do not currently include requirements regarding the means of attachment of the playpen accessories. Due to its structure, location, movement or failure, a playpen accessory may expose a playpen's occupant to a number of possible hazards, including openings that present an entrapment hazard. In February 2010, the Government of Canada issued a policy statement to industry regarding playpen accessories. In the policy statement, Health Canada recommended that industry implement stricter safety standards, including more stringent structural testing processes for playpen accessories, and that additional prominent, permanent and bilingual warning labels be affixed to all playpens (commonly referred to as play yards in the United States).
As such, Health Canada has released statements indicating that a crib is the safest place for an unattended infant to sleep. (Cradles and bassinets are also safe places for an infant to sleep unattended up until the child reaches the weight or developmental restrictions established for the product.) Since bassinets and cradles are smaller than cribs they may be easier to transport. Cribs, cradles and bassinets are the only products that are regulated and tested in order to ensure that they provide adequate protection for an unsupervised infant. (A sleeping caregiver is not considered as providing supervision.)
Bassinet Accessories for Strollers:Stroller bassinet accessories are removable accessories that attach to a stroller frame. These accessories may be sold with a stand or a stand is available for use with the product.
Bassinet (or sleep environment) accessories that attach to a stroller are considered as stand-alone products subject to the Cribs, Cradles and Bassinets Regulations if they are removable from the stroller’s chassis and one or more of the following conditions are met:
• The accessory is called a bassinet;
• The bassinet is promoted for use separate from the stroller's frame;
• A stand is sold with or available for use with the bassinet accessory;
• The product's packaging, labelling, instructions or advertisement include references to sleep or sleep-related messaging.
When used separately from the stroller frame, stroller bassinets meeting the Cribs, Cradles and Bassinets Regulations would be a safe place for an infant to sleep until they are capable of rolling over.
