The SNOO Bassinet just received an FDA De Novo Approval as a medical device to reduce Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS), a leading cause of infant mortality in the United States.
The FDA approval was granted last March 2023, where the agency classified this smart crib as an infant supine sleep system.
“The SNOO Smart Sleeper plus the Snoo Sleep Sack are jointly intended to facilitate a supine position during sleep,” the grant cited. “Infants who are placed in a supine sleep position are at lower risk of SIDS/SUID.”
This approval is a significant milestone for new parents everywhere, and it’s a game-changer in the fight against the unexpected death of babies.
What is the SNOO Bassinet?
The SNOO Smart Sleeper Bassinet was developed by a pediatrician, CEO, and co-founder of Happiest Baby, Dr. Harvey Karp, to promote safe sleep for babies and reduce the risk of sudden and unexpected death in infants.
The CDC reports that there are about 3,500 cases of sleep-related deaths in babies every year in the United States.
“As a pediatrician for over 40 years, I’ve witnessed far too many times the unbearable pain of parents whose placed their baby in bed at night…only to find them lifeless in the morning,” said Dr. Karp.
Stomach sleeping leads to the tragic death of thousands of healthy infants every year. Yet, we routinely put babies in bed—totally unsecured—for 12-14 hours every day. Just as infant seats dramatically improve car safety, we hope to dramatically improve sleep safety by keeping babies on the back and reducing risky rolling.”
Dr. Karp’s 5s technique, as described in his book, The Happiest Baby On The Block, was the main inspiration for the SNOO. Three out of his 5 tips were incorporated, which are swaddling, shushing, and swinging.
How Does the Snoo Bassinet Reduce the Risk of SIDS?
The SNOO sleeper paired with the Snoo Sleep sack is designed to keep sleeping babies safely positioned on their backs, which is the safest position for reducing the risk of SIDS, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics.
The Snoo sack is a specially designed sleep sack with safety clips and patented “wings” that keeps the baby in place and in a supine position.
According to the National Institutes of Health, letting babies sleep on their backs is “the single most effective action that parents and caregivers can take to lower a baby’s risk of SIDS.”
Additionally, the CDC states that babies are more at risk of SIDS when they sleep on their sides or stomachs compared to babies who sleep on their backs.
SNOO also encourages parents not to bed share, as according to the Safe Sleep For Babies Act, they should have their own bed.
Other Benefits of Using The SNOO Smart Sleeper Bassinet
- Encourages Better sleep for babies: This baby bassinet plays white noise and provides a “tactile embrace” that mimics the womb so babies get more sleep or lull them back to sleep when they’re fussing.
- Provides an extra set of hands: Most parents of newborn babies battle exhaustion, and sometimes you can’t avoid falling asleep by accident. This smart bassinet offers a helping hand with its built-in microphone that detects your baby’s cries and soothes them by increasing the rocking motion and white noise volume.
- Keeps parents updated with the Snoo app: The app includes daily sleep reports so you can track your little one’s sleep patterns, plus you can also get some helpful tips from Dr. Karp.
With the SNOO FDA approval, will it be covered by insurance?
While it’s not yet in the works, it’s possible that the SNOO will be covered by insurance in the near future. According to Dr. Karp, the Happiest Baby’s ultimate goal is to have it covered so that new parents can get it for free.
In the meantime, you can inquire with your employer and check if they can cover SNOO rentals as part of your employment benefits.
Where Can I Get a SNOO Bassinet?
If you’re interested in getting a Snoo Smart Sleeper Bassinet for your baby, you can purchase one directly from the Happiest Baby website.
You can also rent one from baby gear rental companies if you don’t want to commit to purchasing one or if you only need it for a short period of time.
The cost may vary, but based on the Happiest Baby’s website listing, you can buy it for $1695 or rent it for only $159 per month.
If you’re interested in getting one for your baby, you can purchase one directly from the Happiest Baby website or rent one from a variety of sources.
The SNOO Smart Sleeper Bassinet’s FDA De Novo Approval is a revolutionary milestone in the fight against SIDS as it meets the current safe-sleep guidelines.
While the SNOO is not cheap, many parents find that it’s worth the cost for the improved sleep and convenience that it provides.
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