BabyBjörn Baby Cradle review: a lightweight newborn cradle with a gentle rocking motion

Price on writing: £270 | Buy now from BabyBjörn

How we tested the BabyBjörn Baby Cradle

Kate tested the BabyBjörn Baby Cradle with her son from three to four months old, using it regularly over a five-week period in a variety of real-life situations.

Initially, the cradle was used as a daytime sleep space in the family kitchen, giving Kate somewhere safe and convenient to settle her baby while going about daily life. As testing progressed, she also used it beside her bed overnight, allowing her to assess how well it worked as a compact sleep space in a smaller bedroom.

Kate was particularly well placed to evaluate the cradle, as she also tested the BabyBjörn Crib during the same period, giving her a useful point of comparison between the brand's two newborn sleep options.

Throughout testing, she assessed the cradle across eight key criteria: performance, quality and durability, ease of use, value for money, safety and stability, assembly, comfort, and adjustability and portability.

The BabyBjörn Baby Cradle performed particularly strongly for ease of use, safety and stability, and assembly, scoring full marks (10/10 or 15/15) in each category. Comfort and portability also scored highly, reflecting Kate's experience of a sleep space that was both practical to move around the home and comfortable for her baby to use.

A range of optional extras is available, including a fitted sheet, canopy and replacement mattress

What's in the box?

When it comes to bedside co-sleepers, The BabyBjörn Baby Cradle keeps things refreshingly simple. Unlike some newborn sleep products that arrive with multiple attachments and accessories, everything you need to get started comes neatly packed in the box.

Included are the cradle itself, a custom-fitted foam mattress, an Allen key for assembly and an instruction manual. The cradle arrives largely pre-assembled, which helps make setup quick and straightforward.

Included in the box:

• BabyBjörn Baby Cradle

• Custom-fitted foam mattress

• Allen key

• Instruction manual

If you want to customise the cradle further, BabyBjörn also sells a range of accessories separately, including fitted sheets, a mesh canopy and replacement mattresses.

While there aren't lots of extras included as standard, Kate felt the cradle came with everything needed to start using it straight away.

How easy is the BabyBjörn Baby Cradle to assemble?

Assembly was one of the BabyBjörn Baby Cradle's strongest points during testing as Kate had the cradle ready to use within minutes.

"The cradle was very simple to set up as the cradle came in one piece, just had to pop the legs out and tighten them with an Allen key," she explains.

The straightforward setup also makes it easier to dismantle when needed. Because the cradle folds down relatively flat once disassembled, Kate found it practical to move between rooms or store away when not in use.

Once assembled, the cradle measures 79cm long, 58cm wide and 65cm high. Its compact footprint was something Kate particularly appreciated, as it fitted comfortably into both her kitchen and bedroom without taking over the space.

The BabyBjörn Baby Cradle combines a lightweight design with a solid, stable feel.

Does the BabyBjörn Baby Cradle feel safe and sturdy?

Although the BabyBjörn Baby Cradle is lightweight and compact, Kate never felt it was flimsy or unstable. In fact, its sturdy construction was one of the things that stood out most during testing. She says, "The cradle feels very sturdy and safe for my son to sleep in. Even with the rocking motion it still feels like it would not tip up."

The cradle is tested to EN 1130 safety standards and features anti-slip feet to help keep it securely in place while rocking. Kate also appreciated the breathable mesh sides, which not only promote airflow but make it easy to keep an eye on your baby from across the room.

The only minor drawback she noted was the design of the legs, which extend outwards to provide stability. While this helps create a solid base, it did occasionally create a trip hazard in a busy family home.

Kate also found the cradle sat lower to the ground than the BabyBjörn crib for instance and it’s not adjustable. While this wasn't an issue for her, she felt parents with very active toddlers might prefer a higher sleep space that's a little further out of reach.

Is the BabyBjörn Baby Cradle comfortable?

Yes. Comfort scored highly during testing, with Kate finding that her son slept well in it, day and night. "My son always seemed to settle in the cradle, especially when using the rocking feature," she says.

Part of that comes down to the cradle's mattress, which is made from soft polyether foam and comes with a removable cover that can be machine washed at 60°C. The breathable mesh sides also help to create a light, airy sleep environment, which Kate appreciated during everyday use.

However, comfort isn't just about the mattress. For Kate, the cradle's gentle rocking motion played a big role in helping her son settle quickly, often reducing the amount of soothing needed before sleep.

One thing to bear in mind is the size of the sleep space itself. While the compact design works well for younger babies, Kate felt her son might begin to outgrow it in the next month or so.

The airy mesh panels provide visibility and ventilation from every angle.

What's the rocking feature like?

Great! Kate liked the fact that the BabyBjörn Baby Cradle doesn't rely on batteries, motors or vibration settings. Instead, it rocks naturally using flexible steel legs that respond to your baby's movements or a gentle push from a parent. "My favourite feature of the cradle is the rocking feature as it's subtle and gentle and worked on many occasions to get my baby asleep," says Kate.

She adds, "I would say I used the rocking motion most times to put him to sleep." For Kate, this simple but effective design was one of the main things that set the BabyBjörn Baby Cradle apart from more traditional newborn sleep spaces.

What's the BabyBjörn Baby Cradle like to use day to day?

One of the things Kate liked most was how little space the cradle took up beside her bed. "The cradle fits well next to our bed and as the cradle is small it doesn't take up too much space in our already smallish bedroom," she says.

She also liked how closely it could sit alongside her bed. "The cot pushes close up to our mattress as the legs slide under the bed quite neatly, obviously this is dependent on bed design."

One drawback is that there is only a single height setting, and the cradle sits quite low to the ground. Depending on your bed setup and personal preference, some parents may prefer a sleep space that offers a little more adjustability.

Its compact footprint makes it a practical choice for keeping close beside the bed.

How portable is the BabyBjörn Baby Cradle?

The BabyBjörn Baby Cradle folds down to just 13cm high, making it easier to store or transport than many traditional cribs. "The cradle is very lightweight and portable and it's very easy and quick to put together and dismantle," says Kate.

She adds, "We have used it in multiple rooms in our house and would definitely take it on holiday, although maybe a staycation rather than a trip abroad as there is already a lot of other equipment, I’d prioritise taking abroad when most hotels provide a cot on request."

Is the BabyBjörn Baby Cradle good value for money?

The BabyBjörn Baby Cradle is undoubtedly an investment, but much of what you're paying for is the quality of the design, materials and overall user experience.

Throughout testing, Kate was impressed by how well made the cradle felt, as well as how easy it was to move around the home and incorporate into everyday life. "The cradle is of great quality, and I can't fault its sturdiness," she says.

The main consideration is that it’s designed specifically for the newborn stage. Suitable from birth until six months or 8kg, the compact sleep space may suit some families better than others, depending on their baby's size and how they plan to use it.

Having also tested the BabyBjörn Crib, Kate felt parents looking for a sleep space that lasts well beyond the first few months may prefer the larger option. However, for those wanting a lightweight, portable cradle for the newborn period, she felt the BabyBjörn Baby Cradle delivered well on its intended purpose.

Ultimately, if you're looking for a premium cradle that's compact, beautifully made and easy to move around the home, the BabyBjörn Baby Cradle offers plenty to like.

About the author

Tammy Jacks has over 20 years of experience in the publishing industry, holding key roles such as Managing Editor and Health & Beauty Editor for Woman & Home magazine in South Africa, and Assistant Editor for Living and Loving - a parenting title focused on children’s health and development.

She has contributed to a wide range of lifestyle publications (including magazines, journals and newspapers) and has edited books for fitness influencers and health professionals. As a researcher and writer, Tammy specialises in children’s development, wellbeing and safety. Over the years, she has reviewed countless toys and developmental aids, as well as essential baby products for everyday family life, from baby monitors and sleep aids to feeding equipment like highchairs and nursery must-haves, alongside baby travel gear such as baby carriers, child bike seats and lightweight strollers.