Both cribs and bassinets serve as safe sleeping space for your new baby. However, there are differences in the two that make one a better choice than the other.
Cribs are also large, and while the idea of a beautifully decorated nursery with an elegant crib seems nice, it is not always a reality. Most new parents opt to have a new baby sleep in the same room with them for at least the first few months. The large size of a crib may prove troublesome if your room is not that large. A bassinet is compact and convenient for small spaces.
Also, the small size of a bassinet is far more comforting for new babies. They grew accustomed to the snug, cozy space within your womb. A bassinet resembles that snug space, making it easier for newborn babies to get comfortable and fall asleep. A crib, however, may feel large and unsafe to an infant.
Although cribs make great sleeping spaces, too, there are many reasons why a bassinet is a clear winner for newborn babies. Knowing everything there is to know about bassinets can help you choose the right one for your newest family addition.
A bassinet that adheres to proper safety standards is a perfectly safe place for babies to sleep. Incidents related to babies sleeping in a bassinet had more to do with a lack of knowledge than the bassinet itself. For instance, the majority of accidents occurred because there were plastic bags, blankets, pillows, or stuffed animals in the bassinet with the baby.
Manufacturers issue recalls on bassinets for many reasons. For instance, recalls might come from a risk of injury, death, entanglement, choking, entrapment, suffocation, and tipping. If you notice that there is a recall on your baby’s bassinet, do not continue using it. Instead, contact the manufacturer to find out what steps you can take to adhere to the recall. In many cases, the manufacturer will offer a refund, repair, or replacement.
When used properly, bassinets provide a great, safe place for your baby to sleep. Bassinets typically have a padded bottom that is safe for your child. Some parents make the mistake of assuming they need to add additional padding or blankets to the bassinet for additional comfort. However, safety guidelines insist that you should never add padding and blankets as it can pose a suffocation hazard.
Many parents opt to start their infants in a bassinet rather than a crib. However, you should make sure you transition your baby to a crib by the time he or she reaches three to six months old. A child will typically start trying to roll over and sit up when they reach three to six months of age. Transition them to a crib to avoid any unnecessary accidents once they show signs of moving around in an attempt to sit up.
When your child is first born, you can opt to purchase a bassinet. Although you do not need a crib right away, you will need one once your child reaches three to six months of age. However, you do not need both a crib and a bassinet when you first bring your newborn home. Some parents opt for a bassinet over a crib initially because they cannot afford an expensive crib right away.
Choosing a bassinet is not as simple as just walking into a store and buying the first one you see. Luckily, understanding different types of bassinets and what they offer can help. Parenting is hard enough, so shopping for that perfect bassinet doesn’t have to be.
The bedside bassinet offers a simple style that allows you to position the sleeper as close to your bed as possible. Typically, these bassinets come with an adjustable stand that fits under the bed to help save on floor space. As an added tip, look for a bedside bassinet with sheer mesh sides that allow you to view your baby while you lay down in bed. The mesh offers breathability and visibility for peace of mind.
The co-sleeper bassinet is often ideal for nursing moms and babies with breathing issues. Although you can use a co-sleeper as a freestanding bassinet, the purpose is to set it on the side of the bed where you sleep. You can drop one side of the bassinet and attach it to your bed, so it acts as an extension. The co-sleeper makes it easy to feed, snuggle, and comfort your baby.
Technology has now caught up to traditional bassinets and moms everywhere are grateful. If you have ever had a tiny tot in your house before, you know what it feels like to wake up in the middle of the night to soothe fussy cries. Smart bassinets offer technology that can sense your baby’s cries and respond accordingly with gentle rocking and white noise.
The multipurpose bassinet, sometimes also called a transitional bassinet, offers a load of benefits. It is Pack-N-Play that has a removable bassinet that you can attach to the top. When your baby starts showing signs that they no longer need the bassinet, you can transition them down into the playpen area to help them adjust to a larger sleeping space.
A travel bassinet is simple, which allows you to fold it up and go when you are in a hurry. The travel bassinet folds up into a compact size for easy storage. They are often lightweight, too, which makes them easy to carry. Typically, most of them come with a tote for additional convenience. When you make plans to go on vacation, there is no reason to lose sleep thanks to the travel bassinet.
The following are some of the best baby bassinets available based on convenience, safety, and the comfort of your baby.
The Halo Bassinet Swivel Sleeper is a great choice for new parents considering that this bassinet can do it all. It can act as a standard bassinet and a co-sleeper. The adjustable base allows you to fit it against beds of any height. As a bonus, it also offers a nightlight and soothing sounds and vibrations to lull your baby back to sleep. Ventilated mesh sides allow you to see your baby with ease.
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The BabyBjorn Gentle Rocking Cradle is a stylish, modern looking bassinet. Although it doesn’t have co-sleeper features or even fancy lights, sounds, and vibrations, it is great for your baby. BabyBjorn decided to use a more natural approach. The bassinet comes equipped with a suspension system that responds to your baby’s movement with gentle rocking. The bassinet also comes with a comfortable, lightweight mattress pad.
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The Graco Dream Suite Bassinet is a parent’s dream come true. It offers a load of features and benefits, such as the ability to serve as a bassinet and a changing table. There is a basket underneath where you can store essentials like diapers and wipes. The base has wheels, which allows you to move the bassinet from one room to another easily.
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The Summer Infant Brentwood Bassinet with motion provides your baby with all the comfort in the world. It also comes chock full of features that you and your baby are sure to love. In fact, this bassinet is comparable to the HALO. However, it does not offer co-sleeping like the HALO since it does not have the drop down side. It does offer soothing sounds and vibration, though. If you want, there is also a silent rocking feature with adjustable speed to soothe your baby to sleep.
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Although they didn’t make the cut, here are some additional bassinets that are worth a closer look:
As parents, we all want what is best for our children, which means choosing products we know we can trust. There is no difference when choosing which bassinet is best. A bassinet should meet all safety standards, provide comfort, and meet your budget. A bassinet that is additionally easy-to-clean and comes with lights, sounds, and vibrations is just a bonus and a nice one at that.
When selecting the best bassinet, keep in mind that there is no such thing as a one-size-fits-all bassinet. A bassinet that is best for one set of parents might not be best for you. For instance, you might have a busy mom who has to keep busy and needs a bassinet with lights, sounds, and vibrations. You might have a mom that travels a lot and needs a portable bassinet. Or you might have a mom that needs just to keep it simple.
Go with your gut and determine what it is you need out of your bassinet. Make sure you also pay attention to your price range. If you are working with a limited budget, a bassinet that is a couple of hundred dollars is not ideal. In truth, the best bassinet is the one that works best for you and your baby’s needs.
There are certain tips you should always consider when buying a new bassinet. Typically, you would want to use your senses.
What is it about the bassinet that captivates you? Does it look appealing? Is it because you walked into a store and saw it out on display? Do not let store displays fool you. Store associates are trained to display products in a way that is most appealing to the consumer. Instead, trust your gut. Look more closely at the bassinet and determine what it is that draws you in before you impulse buy.
How does the bassinet feel? Does it feel sturdy enough to support your baby? Is it comfortable to the touch? Keep in mind that your baby will be sleeping in the bassinet, which means it should be cozy and comfortable.
Does the bassinet rock quietly back and forth? The last thing you want is a distracting and squeaky bassinet that may potentially wake your baby. If it comes with sound features, are the sounds soothing or do you think they will frustrate your baby even more? Pay attention to the sounds the bassinet makes to ensure you are buying one that offers soothing comfort rather than added stress.
Use your brain as an addition to your senses to determine if the bassinet you want is the right one. Calculate the price in comparison to your budget. Compare features to similar models to determine if you are getting the best deal. When you combine all of your senses, it is then that you will have an easier time picking a new baby bassinet.
Even if you choose the safest bassinet in the world, you must still follow your own safety standards. For instance, you should never place stuffed animals, toys, blankets, pillows, or additional padding in your baby’s bassinet. All of those items may pose choking and suffocation hazards.
Make sure you do not add any additional features to the bassinet. Some bassinets may come equipped with a mobile. If yours does not, do not add one to it. The mobile could detach and prove dangerous to your child.
If your bassinet has wheels, make sure you lock them in place when it is not motion. If you leave the wheels unlocked, you run the risk of unnecessary injury. A baby that stirs can move the bassinet just enough to lead to a dangerous and avoidable situation.
Never use a bassinet in a way other than what is recommended. Once you know that your baby has outgrown the bassinet, do not continue to use it. Instead, transition your child to a crib. Check the bassinet for the recommended sizes. Some bassinets only support babies up to 15 lbs.
There are other purchases you might want to make when buying a bassinet for your baby. You will find that there are other items you will want and need when purchasing a bassinet.
Although most bassinet mattress pads come with a sheet, you should consider purchasing additional bassinet sheets. It is not uncommon for a baby to soil through their diaper now and then. If you have additional sheets on hand, you can remove the soiled sheet and replace it with a fresh, clean one as needed.
Some bassinets can snap to a stroller, much like a car seat. Part of what makes these bassinets and strollers so useful is that you can move your baby without waking him or her. If you are a mom that runs and does a lot of errands, you are likely to find a bassinet stroller very useful.
Keep in mind that you do not have to make any additional purchases for your bassinet, but they can certainly make life as a new mom a lot easier.
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