Customer Reviews

Eddie Bauer Musical Rocking Bassinet

5 star:		(44)
4 star:		(34)
3 star:		(23)
2 star:		(15)
1 star:		(30)

 

 

I fell in love with this bassinet the first time I saw it. It is very beautiful and classy. My two older children used the same bassinet that their daddy used when he was a baby--kind of a family tradition. But when I got pregnant with our third and last child, and she happened to be a girl, I wanted a different one. That is when this bassinet came in the picture, which my dad bought for his only granddaughter.

Anyway, this bassinet is beautiful which I believe is the reason people buy it. This was the case for us--it matches our nursery decor with the natural wood and the classy look. However, it is true that the mattress is very thin. I fixed that by buying an extra bassinet/cradle pad to place underneath to give it a little more padding. The locking mechanism doesn't completely locked--it still moves, not much, but our baby does tend to end up on the edge with her face smooshed against the sides. This didn't really bother us--our baby did not seem to mind it and I don't freak out as much anymore--she's my 3rd child. Also, it doesn't rock automatically--you have to rock it yourself if you want that option. No big deal for me because I only used the bassinet at night next to our bed for convenience--I am breastfeeding and I did not want to have to go all the way to her room every two hours just to feed her. She just turned 3 months and is pretty much sleeping through the night so she is no longer using the bassinet--she is now sleeping in her crib in her room. Oh, the music does sound pretty bad. I didn't really use or care for it. I just played her own classical music CD. But I did like and found it very convenient to have the large storage area underneath. I used it to keep diapers, wipes, blankies, etc.

As far as quality, I think that it is pretty good. Ours seems pretty sturdy. I also think that it's a good size--not too small and not too big and it's also deep enough. I think our daughter actually enjoyed sleeping in it at nights for the first 3 months. She is now around 15 lbs. and she still fits in it comfortably, but it will not be for long. I am not really sure what the weight limit is. Also, I did not think that it was hard to put together. I actually put it together myself. The instructions were pretty clear. I did not need my husband's help until the very end. And I put it together when I was 8 months pregnant.

All in all, I am pretty happy with it. It served it's purpose. I guess, if I had to do it again, I would still pick this because I love how it looks. I don't like the frilly kind and I don't like the bulkiness of the playyard/bassinet combo standing next to our bed. Our baby girl can use it for her dolls later on because I don't think this will be a family heirloom--I just don't think it's that durable to last a generation. I would like to but I don't think it will. I have no regrets.

Don't let negative reviews keep you from enjoying this bassinet. While there are valid concerns regarding slight movement of the cradle portion of the bassinet while in the locked position, there is a very simple, safe, effective, and inexpensive solution to this situation. This review is from someone who actually has purchased and used the bassinet, not just looked at it in the store and based an opinion on heresay.

My Daughter just gave birth to her first child (a Son, 7 lbs, 5 0unces) a few weeks earlier than expected. She had seen this bassinet and loved it, so we hurridly purchased and assembled it before she arrived home from the hospital. We had not read any product reviews or consulted a consumer products rating reporting agency before purchase, however my Daughters Sister-In-Law did so immediately upon learning what bassinet had been purchased.

A lengthy series of phone calls ensued alerting us to the potential hazards that could befall our newest bundle of joy should the cradle of the bassinet not lock sufficently and the baby could possibly roll beyond the confines of the newborn sleeping positioning device and become lodged against the side of the bassinet. This could potentially cause suffocation and this really concerned us. I was still visiting there at the time, as was MY Sister-In-Law. We both immediately inspected the bassinet and looked for a solution to the problem.

We found the perfect solution. The bassinet is the most sturdy one on the market in it's price range. The rocking feature wasn't what attracted my Daughter to the bassinet, she was impressed by the fact that very, very sturdy, it's solid wood, generous in size, has plenty of storage under the bassinet and is very affordable. In fact, it compared in construction to bassinets two and three times it's cost. I consulted with my Husband (an Engineer), my Father-In-Law (a Mechanical Engineer), My Brother-In-Law (also an Engineer), my Brother (a professional Custom Cabinetmaker) and drew upon my own experience as an Interior Designer and a current student of Architecture to solve the problem of movement of the cradle portion of the bassinet. What we came up with, is using heavy duty 17" zip ties. Considering we were not going to rely on the rocking feature regularly, but wanted a safe and sturdy sleeping area the zip ties were a perfect immediate solution. These are used in the automotive industry to attach things like radiator hoses to the radiator. You can see the kind of high heat and pressure they are subjected to. In fact zip ties are used for many things requiring strength, reliability, and minimal invasiveness. We attached the cradle part of the bassinet to the frame at each corner with one zip tie, gently tightening each one equally until there was no movement and the cradle/bassinet was level. We put the zip ties just high enough to be hidden underneath the skirting fabric. Once everything was tight and level, we snipped off any excess and smoothed the skirting. This was about three weeks ago, and since then there has been no problems with movement. There are so many ways of rocking a baby (swings, carriers, bouncers, etc.) that we have never even thought about missing the rocking of the bassinet. Truthfully, since cradles and bassinets (both the Eddie Bauer and the Dondella) are "people powered" there are more convenient ways to rock the baby. My Daughter does not prefer to keep my Grandson in his bassinet 24 hours a day either. We plan to make a permenant modifications to the bassinet with hardware of the type that has been used on cradles for many years. At that point we have no doubt that this bassinet will give many babies a safe place to sleep for generations to come.

The second item I'd like to address here is sheets. I've noticed complaints about how difficult it is to buy sheets for this bassinet. I've also solved this problem for my Daughter. We PURCHASED NEW 2 packages of standard pillowcases, (we bought 400+ thread count egyptian cotton) in a woven design and color that coordinated with the bassinet fabric for $20 for 4 pillowcases. We took a few inches off the length with one seam and a few inches off the width with another seam, leaving the original hem in place. In under 30 minutes we had four double sided, quality bassinet sheets. I should add that the original sheet from the manufacturer is a double sided sheet in the exact dimensions as those we custom made ourselves. Of course we had the option to choose the best fabric available (better than the Bauer sheets, in fact better than anything I found in catalogs or stores). An added bonus...in the middle of the night you can just flip the mattress over for a clean side in an emergency until morning. For soon-to-be or inexperienced parents, this is not to suggest a soiled sheet should not be changed promptly, but for the same reasons hospitals double sheet a bed and/or use draw sheets, having a double sided sheet on your bassinet can be very handy at 3am. If you don't have a sewing machine, maybe you can find a friend or a family member to help you out. This is such a simple project to do, and oh-so-easy on the pocket book, too!

In closing, I would like to stress that I believe Eddie Bauer should take responsibility and fix the problem they have with movement of the cradle/bassinet in the fixed position. It's a slight movement and the first time we noticed it happened my Grandson had moved an inch, however, he hadn't been placed in his infant sleeping positioner, either (Doctors HIGHLY suggest infants be placed in a positioner, especially when baby is placed on his side to sleep as it not only supports his back, it also prevents him from rolling over onto his tummy). Once my Daughter began using that, there were no more problems. My Daughters Sister-In-Law alerted us to the safety issues with this bassinet and she believes my Daughter should not use it any more regardless of the fact that the problem has been resolved, citing the review of the parent who's child had to wear head gear because of having several conditions their MD felt was caused by sleeping in one position for 2 months as a newborn. Since they had used this bassinet exclusively for those two months, the parents concluded it was the bassinet at fault. Regardless of a "rating" of a product, it's still the responsibility of the parents or caregiver to be ever vigilent. The safest rated product can be dangerous if your child isn't supervised and you don't use good old fashioned common sense. The Dondola cradle mentioned by another reviewer is manufactured by a company that has had products recalled because side rails have loosened and seperated, creating a space greater than 2 2/3" between the slats. According to the recall notice "Babies could be strangled if their heads become entrapped between the slats. In addition, babies could be seriously injured if they fall out of the crib" should another of these structural defects occur.

As with most "bassinets" the Eddie Bauer unit is designed to be padded with fabric. Since the baby is never in contact with the framework, the spacing is inconsequential as it's the soft fabric covering that would come in contact with baby. This is most common in bassinet construction. However with a cradle (such as the Dondola), it is generally constructed out of wood or metal and designed to be used with bumpers- and for babies safety should be used with bumpers- such as would be used in a crib. This also reduces the actual mattress space Baby has available to sleep on. There has always been a difference between a cradle and a bassinett, please keep this in mind when comparing both the beds, and the bedding required. The Dondola cradle also has no storage, no canopy or hood and will need some sort of bumpers which will add to the average cost of the base price of $170 (plus shipping). I still rate the Eddie Bauer Bassinet at 4 stars because it is well made, sturdy, roomy, has lots of storage, fits with many decors and the price of $129 is excellent. It's easily available at your local Babies R Us stores if you wish to avoid shipping costs. Eddie Bauer, you MUST address the issue of slight movement when the unit is supposed to be locked. When that happens, this unit will be an easy 5 stars.

I fell in love with this bassinet the first time I saw it in the store. I'm having a baby girl and it is a perfect alternativ when you feel like you need something away from the Pink!!! I am only giving it 4 stars because you have to order the sheets from the manufacturer. The bassinet itself is a 5 star product, easy to assemble and still pretty sturdy even if you are not "bob the builder." To order the sheets call 1 800 544 1108 and be ready to have the model/serial number ready that you can find on the box. This was the hardest part for me since I had thrown out the box. Order your sheets EARLY, they are on backorder right now and I am due in 2 weeks!!! I live on the west coast and 2 sheets only cost me $ 12.50 Even if you have to order sheets over the phone, this product is well worth the money.

This bassinet is the best! So much nicer and sturdier than any other I have seen. In response to a previous comment about finding spare sheets that fit the bassinet pad, you can order one from the company by calling the number on the box 1-800-544-1108 for $5.00.

My son really loves this bassinet and it's breeze to move around. My son was a preemie so we didn't want to stick him in a crib just yet and this bassinet is just right! The storage area is great for all the baby's what not's as well as a few toys......

I have never written a review in my life, so you know this is something that I must get off my chest. I have positives and negatives, so I will let YOU decide whether you want to make the purchase or not... First the positives...

1. It's beautiful! I fell in love with the way it looks.

2. It rocks--yes you have to rock it yourself, heaven forbid, but rocking is key for a newborn.

3. It has a nice storage area in the bottom--handy for diaper changing in the middle of the night!

4. My little guy WILL NOT sleep in anything else--the size is perfect for a newborn.

Now the negatives...

1. If you ever want to wash the bedding--GOOD LUCK!!! I broke a piece of the frame trying to take it apart to remove the bedding and had to get a new piece off the store's floor model (don't people wash the bedding--hello, yuk!!!)

2. It doesn't lock in place the best and yes, a baby up to the maximum weight limit WILL sometimes have his face smooshed against the side. If youre a new mom this is kinda scary, but you get used to it.

3. The music does kind of sound like demons. I never use it.

4. PLEASE FOLLOW INSTRUCTIONS ON WASHING/DRYING. If you wash it and put it in the dryer, do not assume it will work for you a second time--I melted my bedding and have to order new!

Hey first time mom what do you expect? You decide what's important for you.

Unlike a bunch of the reviews I have read I have used this product for the last 2 months and for the most part am very happy with it. My daughter was 6lbs 12oz 18in when she was born and we put her in it from day one. She just went for her two month check up and is now 10lbs 13oz 21.5in and doesn't seem to be very confortable in it. It is very small and will not last for very long and if your child happens to be born bigger you can be lucky to get a months use out of it. The mattress that comes with this product is way to thin. I would recommend purchasing another mattress or folding a thick blank and placing it in the bassinet. As for the sheets I had no problem finding the sheets at Babies R Us. I do love the fact that it easily moved from room to room and never seemed to have a problem with locks locking either the wheels or the rocking mechanism. I will miss the convience of moving her from room to room and having all her baby products right under her. I have now put up her Bauer play pen and am using the bassinet feature which is a lot larger but not as portable.. Over all a good product just wish it was made a little bigger.

My son just loves this to sleep in. I had received another bassinet as a gift for my shower but my son would not sleep in it. We had tried other solutions and one day while shopping I saw this bassinet and thought it couldn't hurt to try. My son sleeps in this with no problems. There are many plus sides to this bassinet--- you can rock it(cradle)or keep it locked in place, there is storage on the bottom that I use for my son's other blankets and sheets, there is even a musical device on it that plays songs for the baby to sooth him, and the wheels on it help it roll smoothly if need be. If you need a beautiful bassinet and a little extra storage space for just whatever this is the one.

I purchased this bassinet from Target three months ago. I thought that it was very sturdy for the price and had researched the reviews here on Amazon and in the Babies Bargains books. It does look as though it rocks on it's own in the store. (I visited the display in Babies R Us.) But, I had already read the review here and knew that the bassinet would not have that function. Which for me, was not an issue. The interior of the bassinet is very roomy and I think that if it did rock on it's own it would be very dangerous to walk away from baby because they can easily roll over to the sides. My son; (who is one month old today), loves to sleep with his face right up next to the bedding. I have to monitor him and I placed a sleeping wedge in there. It has two side pillows that keep him from rolling over. It was $14.00 at Babies R Us and worth every penny. The bassinet rocks only slightly. I think this is very wize since some of the bassinets that I tested go too hard and too fast. This one does not risk being knocked over when you trip into it in the middle of the night. And, it fits nicely right up to the edge of the bed. Our bed is high up, so I can peer over and see him sleeping. If your bed is a standard height you have to sit up to see into it. But, it's a great height when standing and you have to bend over to pick up baby.

I did not realize when I purchased this bassinet that there was such a flaw with the design of the bedding. You have to dismantel the bolts in order to remove the bedding to wash. Now, I have stripped the nut. I called the service line and ordered four more. The replacement cost for a set of the hardware was only $3.00. I also ordered another set of the bedding.($15.00) My baby has throw up twice on it since yesterday and I have to take the thing apart again to wash it. I do admit that I wash the bedding in the machine.I do not have time to hand wash and dry.It did not shrink.

The reviews also stated that the mattress was too thin. I agree. Yes, a baby should sleep on a firm mattress, but come on... Would you want to sleep on a board when you were a newborn? I did buy a mattress at Babies R Us that fit perfectly and is quite firm.

There is lots of storage space in the bottom shelf. And the wheels cruise nicely over the carpeting from room to room. Yes, the music player is tinny and anoying. I do not think that it is too loud. I think that this bassinet could be sold without it any no one would lose out. My baby seems to ignore it.

If it weren't for the fact that the bedding is a pain to clean, I would give this product five stars. If the ends were fixed with Velcro and the canopy could be held back, it would be perfect to me. I hope that this review will help another new parent. I never realized just how much frequent washing of EVERYTHING I was going to entail.

We just purchased this bassinet and really like it. It's solid wood, and it's neutral. We're having a girl and didn't want frilly lace and pink as the bassinet will be in our room, not hers! It blends nicely with our decor, and it also rolls easily from room to room. However, the mattress pad is very thin. When we purchased the bassinet, the Babies R Us associate recommended buying a thicker pad, which we did for only $9.99. It fits perfectly in the bassinet, and it solves the whole sheet problem. You can buy any sheets you like to fit the thicker pad instead of having to buy the special order sheets from Eddie Bauer. It's also much softer. I thought the thin pad seemed sort of hard and cheap, which is why I'm only giving 4 stars instead of 5. Otherwise, we really like it!