Is the Snoo Worth it?

The Snoo is a popular smart bassinet that makes big promises to help babies sleep better.  Created by Dr. Harvey Karp, author of Happiest Baby on the Block, it features a built-in swaddle, rocking motion, and white noise to create a soothing environment for newborns. While the Snoo can be a helpful tool for some parents, it also has its drawbacks. I have outlined some of the pros and cons of using the Snoo to help you decide if it is the right choice for your family.

As a certified pediatric sleep consultant and certified safe sleep ambassador – here’s my take on the Snoo.

Pros of using the Snoo:

• Safe for sleep: The Snoo is a flat horizontal sleep surface, which is considered safe for sleep according to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). This is first and foremost most important!
• Helpful in the newborn phase: The Snoo can be particularly helpful during the first 3 months of a baby’s life when they need a lot of sleep. This time is all about survival and baby is adjusting to life outside the womb.
  • After those 3 months, however, you’ll want to just use it as a bassinet without the rocking motion as you run the risk of baby becoming reliant on developing a sleep association (motion to fall asleep).
• Built-in swaddle: The Snoo’s built-in swaddle is convenient and reduces their Moro reflex and helps to keep babies safe and secure. NOTE: As soon as baby can roll it’s important to not use that feature as that is no longer safe.

Cons of using the Snoo:

• Potential for Sleep Associations to Develop: Risk of baby becoming reliant on the rocking motion (sleep association) to fall asleep, leading to the strong potential need for sleep training.
• Size: Baby may grow out of it quickly, requiring a bigger space anyway.
• Limited Swaddle Safety: Built-in swaddle cannot be used once the baby can roll, as it is no longer safe.
• Price: Expensive compared to regular bassinets.
• Limited Use: AAP recommends room-sharing for at least 6 months, so the Snoo may not be necessary after 3-4 months when the baby is moved to a crib.
  • So if you can get it on Facebook marketplace or even rent it for a few weeks (through Snoo) that’s a great option for the first few weeks(!) but beyond that it is best to just use a regular bassinet. (I personally loved the Halo Bassinest for my children.) 

As always, it is best to weigh the pros and cons and do what is best for your family!

If you want to learn all about the newborn phase and teaching healthy sleep habits- check out my newborn sleep survival guide or my Make Sleep Easy: Newborns and New Moms – the Masterclass! 

 

As a pediatric sleep consultant, I like to remind clients that sleep is behavioral and at the end of the day – sleep is a learned skill. Products may help temporarily, but it is important to allow a child the opportunity to practice the skills needed to sleep without outside support like a Snoo.

** Some links on this site may be affiliate links, which means we may earn a small commission if you make a purchase—at no additional cost to you. We only recommend products and services we genuinely trust and use. All opinions expressed are our own and are never influenced by affiliate partnerships.

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