If you’ve just had a C-Section, the last thing you’re going to want to do is to hoist your Baby up into a tall crib. That’s going to be painful, to put it mildly.

And as a new mom, you might not feel comfortable with your baby sleeping so far away from you anyway. With a Bassinet, your baby can sleep right in your bedroom with you, even if your room isn’t big.

If you’re not ready for your baby to have a full-size crib yet, this guide will help you pick out the best bassinet for your little bundle of joy.

Bassinets vs. Cribs

Bassinets are like a scaled-down version of a crib. They’re a place your baby can sleep, only lighter, more portable, and generally less expensive than cribs are. They’re also typically not as tall as cribs.

When my first baby was born, I hated letting her out of my sight for even a second. I became one of those compulsive moms who liked to watch her child breathe just to make sure they were still doing it. I worried all the time about my baby when she was out of sight — even if she was just across the hallway from my bedroom.

A bassinet was a lifesaver for me those first two or three months until I became more comfortable and saw she was thriving and growing stronger each day. When I felt comfortable, we began having her sleep in her own room in her crib.

But it also helped me in the daytime in the living room, so I could keep an eye on her during her naps while I paid bills or did some light housework.

They won’t work for most children by the time they reach four months old or so, depending on their development.

When Can a Bassinet Come in Handy?

They’re ideal for several situations, including:

• If you want your baby to sleep in your bedroom, but you don’t have enough space for a full-sized crib, a bassinet is a safer alternative than co-sleeping ⁽¹⁾.
• When you can’t afford a crib yet, a bassinet is a safe, affordable option while you save up for a crib.
• If you need a safe place for your baby to sleep while they’re at a caregiver’s house.
• If you have lingering back issues from childbirth or stitches from a C-Section, making it difficult to lift your baby high enough to put them in a crib.
• When you have a large house, and you want to be closer to your baby when they sleep during the day.
• If you have a vacation coming up and your baby isn’t old enough to sleep in the bed with you.

The Types of Bassinets

Co-sleeper Bassinet

This type is like a mini-crib that stands right up against your bed and typically opens on one side so that you have easy access to your little one throughout the night. You essentially get a baby-sized extension to your bed. This is an excellent choice for breastfeeding moms or those with babies who may need a little extra TLC.

Travel Bassinet

Compact, lighter, and foldable, travel bassinets are ideal for storing away when not needed, and of course, can be taken on trips as required. Many come with a handy tote to lug them around in.

Traditional or Bedside Bassinets

These are usually static, free-standing units that can be placed alongside your bed or moved around to different rooms in your home. They can rock, often come with canopies, and many have wheels for added portability. These may be larger and sturdier than co-sleeper models, or you may find one that converts into a co-sleeper when necessary.

Multipurpose Bassinets

Pack ‘n play style bassinets have a removable portion on the top, and a mesh playpen down below, for true versatility. You can also use the top as a changing pad, and many models come with added extras to make a complete baby station that will serve your baby for longer than a traditional model will.

Bassinets with Extras

Some come with included features for convenience or to help soothe your baby, such as music, automated gentle rocking, mobiles or vibrations. These are great for fussy sleepers or colicky babies.

Choosing the Best Baby Bassinet

Choosing a bassinet requires some thought ahead of time. You shouldn’t just base your decision off of appearance. The highest priority should be how safe it will be for your child to use.

Here are some of the features you’ll want to look for:

• Mesh walls: Bassinets aren’t as big as cribs — there isn’t as much room for your baby to spread out or roll around. If your baby does manage to roll on their side and you don’t have mesh walls, breathing is going to be much trickier and there can be a suffocation risk. Mesh walls are also great in the summer as they allow airflow to keep your baby cool.
• A thin, hard mattress: Parents like to surround their newborns with softness, but when it comes to a bassinet mattress, harder is better. Firmer, thinner mattresses have been shown to cut down on the risk of SIDS ⁽²⁾. Don’t worry about babies not being comfortable while sleeping on thin mattresses — they’ll be just fine.
• The weight limit: Make sure your baby doesn’t exceed the weight limit. If you’re still pregnant, you may want to avoid a model that only allows for 15 pounds if you have a condition that might lead to a heavy baby, like gestational diabetes ⁽³⁾. If you have a 10-pound baby at delivery, it won’t be long before that baby exceeds the 15-pound weight limit.
• Portability: Bassinets are generally more portable than cribs, but there are some that are easier to move around than others. If yours has wheels, it’ll be easy to move from room to room. Wheel locks are necessary so it won’t roll away when you want it to stay put.
• Sheets: Many cribs used standard-sized sheets, but it can be harder to find a sheet that fits your bassinet properly, especially if it’s an odd shape. Make sure you have more than one sheet, just as you would with a crib, to deal with any accidental leaks or spit-up incidents. Ensure the sheet is made to fit the bassinet. Never use an oversized sheet, this can lead to suffocation or strangulation.
• Non-toxic materials: Mattresses can be made of potentially harmful materials like toluene and formaldehyde. If you’re worried about what your baby’s surroundings could be doing to their health, look for non-toxic options.
• Optional extras: You can find models that play music, vibrate to soothe your baby or have an attached mobile to keep them amused. Not every option will have these extras, so you’ll have to decide if you’re willing to pay more for them.
• Rocking: Rocking bassinets can be handy because if you have a colicky baby, since the gentle motion can go a long way to soothing them. If you opt to get one that rocks, make sure it has a good lock, so it remains level when you want it to.

The Best Bassinet Reviews of 2020

When Should I Begin Using Bassinets?

Bassinets are perfect for newborns so you can start using them as soon as you bring your baby home from the hospital. I did with my second baby, and it worked out well. That way I was always close by.

If I was asleep, he was in my bedroom with me in his bassinet. When I was washing dishes, he was in the dining room next to my kitchen where I could keep my eye on him. I just felt better when he was in sight.

If you decide to use one, you need to pay close attention to when your baby has outgrown it. Remember that they’re only meant to be used for a limited time. Also, make sure you know the weight limits and note when your baby is getting close.

Weight guidelines are not the only way to tell if your baby is too big, though. If they can crawl when they’re on their bellies or prop themselves up on their arms, they’re too big for a bassinet.

I watched my babies like a hawk once I noticed their mobility starting to increase. When I started getting worried they’d tip over and that I wouldn’t be able to get to them before they fell — that’s when I kissed the bassinet goodbye and started using their crib.

Neither baby stayed in theirs past the three-month mark. But by then I had become a little more confident about letting them out of my sight at night. At that point, I bought a pack ‘n play for them to use while on vacation or when they were at a caregiver’s house.

How Many Bassinets Do I Need?

If you’ve decided you want a bassinet instead of a crib for the first few months or you want one in addition to a crib, you’ll only need one for your house. Since they’re so portable, they can go from room to room with little effort.

But if your child will be spending a lot of time at a grandparents’ or caregiver’s house while you’re at work, you may want to purchase a second one to keep there. One of the best things about bassinets is that they can be quite affordable, so if you need to buy two because your situation requires it, it’s not an overwhelming expense.

The Bottom Line

Our top pick as the best baby bassinet is the Arm’s Reach bassinet because of its appearance and performance. It’s a beautiful, classic-looking piece, but it is also highly functional with large storage space under the sleeping area.

You can attach one to your bed or use it elsewhere in the house. If you want to use it as a true co-sleeper, the sides can come down if you want. It has wheels but also has a brake, so your baby won’t go on any unexpected rides.

Whether you plan to co-sleep or want one of the best bassinets for your living room for naps, those first few months of motherhood will go so quickly. Though you’ll be busy, try to treasure each moment.

Moms out there, what are your experiences with bassinets? As always, we’d love to hear all comments and questions!

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