How To Buy The Best Baby Bassinet

A bassinet is a comfortable and convenient sleeping space for your angel during the first few weeks.

The bassinet you buy for your baby can help your baby sleep peacefully until he or she is about 4 months of age. That’s right. Your bundle of joy would definitely feel at ease in a small, cozier space.

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Product Name	Our Rating	Picture	Prices
HALO Bassinest Swivel Sleeper Bassinet
Arm's Reach Concepts Clear-Vue Co-Sleeper
Graco Pack 'n Play Playard With Twins Bassinet

What Is A Baby Bassinet?

A bassinet is a type of a compact baby bed. The frame is usually made of metal, plastic or wood and you would find models that come with wheels making them easier to move from one room to another. High quality baby bassinets have the inside covered with fabric and there are all sorts of additional features such as light, music, vibration and an adjustable canopy.

The more modern bassinets are quite compact and can easily fit in small space. Some bassinets come with a large storage basket underneath and wheel casters that lock for additional safety. You can also find baby bassinets with retractable wheels - they can turn into a rocking cradle and keep your baby entertained.

Some high-end baby strollers come with a bassinet, which attaches to the carriage. These types of models come handy if you have to travel with your baby however; it is not recommended that you use them as overnight bed in your home. Remember, you will be able to see that your baby is a comfortable position during the day, but you cannot leave him or her unattended in the stroller’s bassinet or carry cot and then go to bed.

The Lowdown On Baby Bassinet Features

You will be selecting a baby bassinet for your newborn so make sure you look for the features that will serve you well during the first few months. It’s always a good idea to buy bassinets that are certified by the Juvenile Products Manufacturer Association.

The best baby bassinets are ones that have a number of useful features. For example, products that can be moved from room to room, or can be placed easily right next to your bed for easy feedings definitely score more points than bassinet models that don’t provide such convenience.

In recent years, baby bassinets have gained a number of new features such as vibration and movements from side to side. Bassinets typically are designed to let your baby sleep peacefully along your side but in a secured space.

Functionality

Perhaps the most important feature that you need to keep in mind while selecting baby bassinets is functionality. Models that include storage pockets or dedicated space for holding baby clothes, diapers and other baby essentials are an excellent choice.

Of course, you’re not going to do 8 or 10 diaper changes every night but still you would love to have something that holds your baby essentials in one place. Some bassinets are designed to vibrate and play music, which is a huge advantage if you’re trying hard to put your adorable angel to sleep after a tiring day.

Baby bassinets with a large storage basket at the bottom are ideal for stashing extra clothes, booties, diapers and wipes. Sometimes flowy fabric can become a much-unwanted obstruction so you can get a bassinet with a short skirt instead. Some models have a pocket for storing baby essentials on the outside of the bassinet.

Vibration

Some bassinets can be turned into a rocking cradle by using retractable wheels and a quick release latch. The unit continues to rock gently while the wheels are stationary and this keeps your little one happy. The high-end models can move at a variety of speeds and play different songs to keep your baby comfortable.

You need to read the fine print before buying a bassinet. For example, if a bassinet can be used by infants up to 3 months and 15 lbs weight max, you shouldn’t use it for ‘rocking’ an older child.

Portability And Ease of Use

You are likely to come across bassinets that have a handle so that you can take them along. Remember these handles are provided to carry the unit around, however you should never move a bassinet with your baby in it. Accidents can happen which can lead to your baby slipping down to a side.

Toys

Baby bassinets for girls come with detachable mobiles and even canopies. Some models have toys attached from their canopies and in most cases; the canopy can be folded out of the way.

A stiff canopy can block out the light without waking your baby so you can keep the night lamp on to read before going bedtime.

You would notice that many modern bassinets include lights and soothing music as a plus. However, you should remember that most of these additional features run on batteries. If you don’t want to spend a great deal of money on replacing batteries, you should consider a basic bassinet i.e. one without twinkling lights or baby tunes. On a separate note, the vibration feature in bassinets also requires batteries.

Bedding

The bassinet you buy comes equipped with a thin mattress or pad and a fitted sheet. The more luxurious models come with a fabric lining and a bed skirt that hangs down from the sides. Just remember that bassinet bedding is also sold separately and you can find one that best suits your needs.

Important Shopping Notes You Need To Keep In Mind

The JPMA Certification

Bassinets that are not certified by the JPMA can pose safety threats including rough or sharp edges or bars that are wide enough to trap a baby.

Wide Stable Base And A Sturdy Bottom

As stated earlier, there should be no sharp or pointed objects both in and outside the bassinet as they can become a serious choking hazard. If the bassinet you choose is made of wood, make sure that it is free from splinters.

Locking Mechanism

If the legs or base of the bassinet collapse for providing extra storage space make sure, they lock securely into place when the unit is set up. You need to be cautious if you have pets or young children in the home who might accidentally climb in or knock over the bassinet.

The Bedding​

The bedding provided with the bassinet, i.e. the mattress or pad should be smooth and firm. More importantly, the mattress should fit snugly so that your baby remains comfortable.

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that the mattress should fit well around the inside edges of the bassinet so that your baby’s head isn’t locked in the empty space and lead to suffocation.

Some parents complain that the mattress or pad provided by bassinet manufacturers is too thin. The health experts on the other hand recommend that babies should sleep on a firm mattress that is not more than 1.5 inches thick. In addition, the mattress or pad you choose for the bassinet should be firm – not too hard or too soft and squishy.

Airiness

The bassinet you choose should be airy to avoid the risk of SIDS – Sudden Infant Death Syndrome. If the model you choose has sides that aren’t mesh-y or you believe that your baby can suffocate, a smart thing to do is find another product.

It’s not surprising that bassinets have a short life span. You couldn’t use it any longer once your baby can sit up without support. Also, your baby needs to move to something bigger like a crib once he or she reaches the manufacturer’s allowed weight limit.

The Most Popular Safety Strategies For Baby Bassinets

When it comes to peaceful sleep during the first few weeks, a bassinet can be your baby’s best friend. If you are short on space, a model that folds under your bed is a useful option. The following are some safety considerations you need to keep in mind while selecting a bassinet for your newborn.

Our Baby Bassinet Recommendations

HALO Bassinest Swivel Sleeper Bassinet

This bassinet has everything you would need in an ideal product. It looks great, has sturdy construction and most importantly, it can be adjusted to a comfortable height which is a huge advantage for moms with c-section.

The sidewall of the bassinet can be lowered so that you can reach your baby without having to get up. The premiere version of the product includes music, vibrations and night light. Unlike other bassinets, Halo’s 360 degrees rotation makes caring for the baby hassle free and stable base can adjust to fit most beds. The model comes equipped with night light, nursing timer, lullabies, soothing sounds and two levels of vibration.

Arm's Reach Concepts Clear-Vue Co-Sleeper

This affordable bassinet can be your best bet if you’re looking for something beautiful and functional at the same time. Co-sleeper is an excellent option for moms who have recently undergone a c-section. If you look at the bassinet, it has some great basic features like breathable mesh on the sides and firm and thin mattress (just the way it should be).

You can adjust the bassinet legs depending on how tall or how low your bed is and there’s a strap to hold the bassinet close. Most customers are also impressed with the nice storage basket on the bottom that can be used to store clothes, diapers and baby wipes.

Graco Pack 'n Play Playard With Twins Bassinet

The dual bassinets can keep your adorable angels cozy while they nap. The quilted mattress provides additional comfort and the dome canopies ensure that the harsh light is blocked while your kids are sleeping.

The best thing about this twin bassinet is presence of airy mesh sides. The model also comes with wheels which makes it easy to move to the bassinet from one room to the other. If you need to keep a closer eye on your babies, you can do so easily thanks to the curved frame.

The squeeze latch provided with the product can be used to activate the folding mechanism with ease if you are planning to visit Grandma’s house. You can then store the bassinet in a carrying bag and travel with ease.

Conclusion

While finding the best bassinet for your baby seems complicated, you can find the right product for your baby by using the ideas, suggestions and recommendations mentioned herein. Remember, even a little bit of research will go a long way when it comes to finding the best products for your angel.