The Cradlewise smart bassinet has been a valuable tool as a new mom since it not only aids my baby's sleep but also improves my own. Over the past month, the smart bassinet has helped reduce the need for intervention with its built-in baby monitor, sound machine, and customizable bouncing motion. These features, managed through the Cradlewise app, use AI to learn and adapt to my baby's sleep patterns. The bassinet often responds to the baby's fussing before I do, allowing me extra moments of rest or productivity. The AI employs 3D-image mapping and uses a camera and microphone to assess whether my baby is quiet, active, or crying. It then adjusts the bouncing or sound to soothe the baby, shutting off once the baby is asleep. Despite initial reservations about AI, I find it simulates parental responses well, gently escalating to calm the baby.

While the system isn’t perfect, occasionally adjusting the bounce intensity or sound preemptively, it usually helps manage sleep disturbances effectively. The bassinet allows for full customization of the sound and bouncing levels via the app, and requires Wi-Fi for its smart functionalities, though local data remains secure. It supports different sounds, including white noise and heartbeats, with the option to stream music. The Cradlewise supports multiple users sharing control via the app, which is handy for couples or families with twins. Aesthetically, the Cradlewise fits well into any nursery with its biodegradable wood frame and soft, natural latex mattress, though it must be plugged into a wall socket. Competitively priced at $1, 999, it's more costly than the Snoo but offers longer use up to 24 months, as opposed to Snoo’s six months. Although both bassinets provide motion-based soothing, Cradlewise does so without a built-in swaddle, allowing more freedom for the baby. Overall, while my newborn is naturally more comforted by being held, the Cradlewise offers reliable support without removing the essential bonding experience of parental care. It has proven to aid, rather than replace, my role in soothing my child to sleep.