Smaller than a crib, a bassinet provides babies with a snug and secure space to sleep while allowing parents to keep them conveniently close at all times, day and night. Whether you’re looking for a comfortable co-sleeping solution or just want to have your newborn nearby, a bassinet can help both you and your child rest a bit easier. With a host of options on the market, there’s a bassinet for just about every budget, need, and style preference. But while being spoiled for choice is great, it can also make the selection process a bit more complicated.
If you need a little help choosing the best bassinet, you’ve come to the right place. To help take the guesswork out of shopping, we diligently research, test, and analyze a wide range of products. Here at AmazingFinding, we’re committed to creating product reviews that count. For this reason, we never accept free samples from manufacturers.
To find out everything you need to know about purchasing a bassinet, check out our detailed guide below before browsing the top five picks featured above.
The difference between a crib and a bassinet
If you’ve already invested in a crib for your little one’s nursery, you may be wondering why you might need a bassinet, too.
In fact, using a bassinet for the first few months of baby’s life has its own unique set of advantages. Upon closer inspection, it’s easy to see why so many parents consider a bassinet to be a “must-have” item.
Does this mean that you shouldn’t bother with a crib? Absolutely not! Although a bassinet can be incredibly convenient, it’s not intended to be a permanent sleeping solution. Once your little one starts to become mobile or reaches the bassinet weight limit, it will be time for him to graduate to a crib. Rest assured, your baby’s crib will still get plenty of use down the line!
Space
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) urges parents to sleep in the same room, but not the same bed, as their babies for the first six months of the child’s life. However, a crib can take up a considerable amount of space, and having one in the parental bedroom simply isn’t practical for most. Bassinets are much more compact and will fit comfortably in most bedrooms.
Baby’s sense of security
In addition to taking up a lot of space, the expansive interior of a crib can leave your tiny tot feeling a little bit lost. The smaller dimensions of a bassinet provide a cozy space that helps younger babies feel safe, snug, and secure.
Parents’ Convenience
Keeping a bassinet at your bedside will allow to attend to your little one’s needs from the comfort of your bed. Furthermore, if you’ve had a C-section, reaching down to place your sleeping baby in a crib can be painful, and it certainly won’t do much to speed up recovery.
Safety
Co-sleeping is a wonderful way to bond with your baby while providing her with a sense of security at the same time. However, sleeping in the same bed is not recommended, as this may increase the risk of sudden infant death syndrome, or SIDS. By placing your baby’s bassinet beside your bed at night, you can enjoy the co-sleeping experience without the associated risks. Some bassinets even feature a drop-side, so there’s no need to get up when reaching for your baby.
Portability
The compact and lightweight design of a bassinet makes it easy to move from one room to another. Bassinets are especially useful for keeping an eye on little ones while they nap.
For your safety
To avoid unnecessary mishaps, never move your bassinet with your baby inside.