What is a smart sleeper or smart bassinet?

The word ‘smart’ gets thrown around a lot today. We have smart phones, smart homes, smart speakers… and, of course, there’s SNOO—the world’s only smart bassinet! (In fact, the category “smart sleeper” didn’t even exist until SNOO was invented and patented the term!)

A smart sleeper (or smart bassinet) is a tech-enabled baby bed that uses sensors, white noise, gentle motion, and app-based controls to help calm babies and encourage safer, more restful sleep—for both little ones and their parents.

Key Components of a Smart Bassinet

• Motion: Most smart sleepers use gentle rocking or vibrations to mimic the soothing sensations of the womb.
  

• White Noise: Calming sound, often modeled after the whooshing noises heard in utero, helps lull babies to sleep and keeps them asleep longer.
  

• Cry Detection: Built-in microphones recognize baby’s cries and trigger automatic soothing responses.
  

• App Connectivity: A companion app allows caregivers to adjust settings, monitor sleep, and access helpful tips.

• Responsive Settings: Smart bassinets adapt in real time to a baby’s fussing or movements, adjusting motion and sound accordingly.
  

How Smart Sleepers Work: A Closer Look at the Technology

By definition, smart products use sensors to detect and adapt. They’re dynamic and have the ability to synthesize or evaluate information. SNOO is smart because it responds to a baby’s cries with a sophisticated algorithm that mimics the actions of an experienced caregiver.

When SNOO detects fussing or crying, it responds to the upset baby by providing exactly what that specific baby needs at that given time. SNOO automatically chooses the best motion (a gentle rock for sleep, a more rapid jiggle for fussing babies), as well as the best white noise (soothing rain for a sleeping baby, and louder womb sounds for a screaming baby). It increases its intervention automatically with the best sound and motion until the baby is calm, and then reduces its response once the baby has been soothed. 

In addition to adapting its response within the course of a night or nap, SNOO has full functionality that adjusts to different stages of a baby’s life. SNOO’s Motion Limiter setting allows parents to ease brand-new babies into SNOO’s soothing motion, while SNOO’s weaning feature makes transitioning to the crib a breeze once they’re ready to transition from SNOO to the crib! 

Technical Features of Smart Bassinets

What makes a smart bassinet like SNOO truly “smart”? Here’s a peek under the hood at the innovative technology that sets SNOO apart:

• Cry Detection: SNOO is equipped with microphones that listen for a baby’s cries. When fussing is detected, SNOO automatically responds by gently increasing rocking and white noise—in the same way an experienced caregiver would—to help settle Baby back to sleep.

• App Integration: The Happiest Baby App puts you in control. Parents can adjust the responsiveness of SNOO’s soothing settings, monitor sleep trends, and get daily or weekly sleep reports—right from their smartphone. (Please note that a Premium Subscription is necessary to access some App features.)

• Built-In Swaddling System: One of SNOO’s standout safety features is its one-of-a-kind swaddle system. SNOO’s motion won’t start until your SNOO Sack is attached to the bed’s patented clips. This keeps your baby safely on their back —the only recommended sleep position by pediatricians—for their entire sleep. 

What else sets SNOO apart from other ‘smart bassinets’?

Sure, SNOO’s smart features have led our Smart Sleeper to rack up countless awards and thousands of 5-star reviews from real parents, but they’re just part of the story! Here are a few more reasons why SNOO is continually rated the top bassinet:

• SNOO has been proven to add sleep: Research has shown that SNOO adds 1-2 hours of sleep a night to a baby’s sleep on average! And when Baby sleeps…everyone sleeps!
  
  
• SNOO is FDA De Novo Authorized for safe back-sleeping: SNOO’s special clip-in swaddle secures babies on their backs for all nights and naps. That’s crucial because back-sleeping is the #1 safe-sleep recommendation from all public health authorities for reducing the risk of SIDS. Read more important safety information. 
  
  
• SNOO was invented by a world-renowned pediatrician: You probably wouldn’t hand your baby off to just any stranger, would you? When you use SNOO, you can rest easy knowing that our Smart Sleeper was meticulously designed by Dr. Harvey Karp—a pediatrician and baby sleep expert that parents have trusted for decades!
  
  
• SNOO is available to rent for a low monthly cost: Parents can reap all the sleep-boosting benefits of SNOO for less than the cost of a latte per day! (Bonus: no caffeine hangover.) It’s also a sustainable and space-saving solution! Here’s how to rent SNOO!
  
  
• Hospitals trust SNOO with their tiniest patients: In addition to being used at home, SNOO is in nearly 200 hospitals, where clinicians say SNOO’s soothing abilities save them hours of work a day! Learn about the Happiest Baby hospital program.

Benefits of Using a Smart Sleeper for Newborns

Smart bassinets like SNOO aren’t just high-tech novelties—they’re designed with real benefits for babies and their weary parents:

• More sleep…for everyone: SNOO’s responsive features help calm babies quickly and keep them snoozing longer. In fact, a peer-reviewed study published in Pediatric Research found that infants using SNOO slept more and cried less than babies in a traditional bassinet. 

• An extra set of hands: Newborns need lots of help adjusting to life outside the womb—and that often means endless rocking and shushing. With its automatic calming responses, SNOO becomes a helpful extra set of hands, stepping in with gentle motion and sound when your baby needs soothing most.

• Builds healthy sleep habits: SNOO helps set the stage for better long-term sleep habits. Sleep experts often recommend establishing routines early, and smart bassinets can play a role in reinforcing those patterns from day one.

• Lowers the temptation to turn to unsafe practices: When you’re sleep-deprived, it’s easy to fall into risky habits like bed-sharing or putting a baby down in an unsafe position or space. SNOO’s secure swaddle and calming tech help parents follow safe sleep guidelines.

Smart Sleeper vs. Regular Bassinet: What’s the difference?

Feature	SNOO Smart Sleeper	Traditional Bassinet
Motion	Gentle womb-like rocking that gradually increases when crying is detected	X
Sound	A safe level of low, rumbly pediatrician-designed white noise	X
App Integration	Companion App gives parents options to customize their experience, track their baby’s activities, and get expert advice	X
Safety Features	Firm, flat surface + a built-in swaddle system that keeps babies in a safe sleeping position	Firm, flat surface
Sleep Tracking	The Happiest Baby App automatically tracks SNOO sessions	X

Are smart sleepers safe?

It’s natural for parents to have questions about the safety of any sleep product—especially one that uses technology. The good news? SNOO is not only thoughtfully engineered but also recognized for meeting high safety standards.

SNOO was developed by renowned pediatrician Dr. Harvey Karp and meets all of the AAP’s sleep safety guidelines. One of the most distinctive safety features of SNOO is its patented swaddle system. The built-in sleep sack secures your baby on their back all night long—minimizing the risk of rolling into an unsafe position during sleep. That’s why, in 2023, SNOO became the first—and only—infant sleep system to receive De Novo authorization from the FDA for its ability to keep sleeping babies safely on their backs (see important safety information). 

Who should consider a smart sleeper?

Smart sleepers like SNOO are a great fit for parents looking for extra support during the newborn stage. They’re especially helpful for:

• First-time parents seeking guidance and peace of mind

• Sleep-deprived families who need more rest

• Caregivers managing baby’s sleep solo overnight

• Parents aiming to follow safe sleep practices consistently

What about rocking bassinets?

SNOO is a big upgrade from swings or rocking bassinets that have a few different sound or motion settings but require someone to manually make adjustments. Because these products lack the ability to respond to babies, by definition, they are not ‘smart’. 

Unfortunately, the term ‘smart’ is sometimes mistakenly applied to any device that’s plugged in or connected in some way. But simply being able to move, make noise, or being controlled by an app doesn’t make a bassinet smart. In fact, rocking baby beds have existed since the early 20th century, and the first electric rocking cradle debuted all the way back in 1924! 

Happiest Baby didn’t simply give the basic baby swing a flat-surface face-lift—it innovated the baby bed for the first time in centuries and made SNOO, the first intelligent, responsive baby bed…ever! How’s that for smart?

More on SNOO:

• Meet SNOO's Award-Winning Safety Features
• Everything You Need to Know About Renting SNOO
• SNOO: The Next Step in Baby Safety
• How SNOO Supports Parental Wellbeing

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Disclaimer: The information on our site is NOT medical advice for any specific person or condition. It is only meant as general information. If you have any medical questions and concerns about your child or yourself, please contact your health provider.