Many parents start their children in a crib, but bassinets are another option for newborns. Bassinets are sleeping spaces that are smaller than cribs and designed for young babies. They are typically placed next to your bed to give you easy access to your baby throughout the night, and many are mobile so your baby can nap near you during the day. While many moms use a crib from the start, a bassinet has multiple benefits. For one, it can make middle-of-the-night nursing sessions more manageable because you can reach over to pick up your baby without leaving your comfy bed. Not only is it convenient, but it’s also a major plus if you’re a new mom still recovering from delivery and have limited mobility. If your bassinet is positioned at the same height as your bed, you might sleep easier too knowing that you can see or touch your newborn throughout the night to reassure him (or you!) that everything is fine. But, if you’re a light sleeper, hearing every squeak and grunt your baby makes in his sleep can mean zero shuteye for you.
In which case, placing your newborn in the nursery crib from the get go can work out better for you and your baby. Bassinets are used during the newborn stage until your baby is able to move around, push up on her hands or roll over, usually between three to five months old. Some bassinets also have weight restrictions as well, which vary depending on the model you purchase. We asked thousands of real BabyList families about the baby products they love the most. We took the top bassinets they shared with us and added our own research and insight. We think you and your little one will love at least one of these items, too. THE EASY TRANSPORTFisher-Price Newborn Rock 'n Play SleeperWHY WE LOVE IT The reclined seat mimics being cradled in your arms and can be especially helpful if your baby gets congested or has colic or reflux. During fussy spells, flip on the optional vibration or gently rock the sleeper by hand. The sleeper folds up to take on the road and is so lightweight you can even move it room to room with a sleeping baby inside.
It’s also a great spot for baby to sit and play when you need to free up your arms. “This saved our life!” While some parents swear by the Rock ‘n Play, others caution that prolonged use in the inclined seat may lead to certain safety concerns (like increased head flatness or neck tightening). If you have worries, check with your pediatrician. WHAT BABYLIST PARENTS SAY “This saved our life! When we got home from the hospital our baby wouldn’t sleep in anything but our arms. I think he liked the feeling of being cradled, so being flat on his back in the crib or traditional bassinet wasn’t working. We went out and got this and he finally slept! At six months old we still use it for naps when at his grandparents’ house.” -Margaret Y. “We did not discover the Rock ‘n Play until my daughter with colic and reflux was eight weeks old. She didn’t like the expensive swings or bouncers, but this relatively inexpensive, inclined seat was an instant hit.
She finally slept for more than 90 minutes and enjoyed hanging out in this.” -Megan Y Under 25 lbs (usually under 6 months). THE CLASSIC CO-SLEEPERArm's Reach Mini Arc Convertible Co-SleeperWHY WE LOVE IT Dr. Bill Sears, the leading proponent of “attachment parenting,” helped develop this adaptable, co-sleeping bassinet. The biggest benefit to this sidecar-style bassinet is that one side drops down and attaches to your bed, eliminating any gap between your sleep surface and your baby’s. You can also leave the fourth side up, and keep your newborn nearby during naps, by wheeling the bassinet into other rooms. Once your baby gets a little older, the bassinet can morph into a playard too. If you’re a family that’s often on the go, this co-sleeper can be challenging to pack up. Also, be sure to consider the height of your bed (for higher beds, leg extension kits are sold separately). “We started out with a regular bassinet, but I was waking up so often and sitting up to peer into it and check on her.
It was wonderful to have the co-sleeper attached to the bed and just be able to open my eyes and see that she was ok, and also to reach out and touch her if she needed a little soothing in the night. It was also much easier to lift her in and out of the co-sleeper for feedings at night.” -Amanda W. “This co-sleeper has been great! It’s so nice to have my baby right next to me without having to worry that I might roll over on her and the mesh sides help ease my mind that she won’t suffocate if she gets her face against it. I wish she could stay in it forever!” -M.S. Under 5 months (for co-sleeper and bassinet); under 35” in height (for playard). If you’re interested in a larger bassinet, the full-sized Arm’s Reach Ideal Arc Original Co-Sleeper (160.99) is a popular choice. THE INNOVATIVE BASSINETHalo Bassinest Swivel Sleeper - Essentia SeriesWHY WE LOVE IT The HALO Bassinest has a 360-degree, swivel range of motion and minimizes your need to move around the bassinet since it moves around you - especially important for moms who are still healing from childbirth.
You can pull the bassinet over your mattress to get close or push it to the side to get out of bed. The weight of your arms leaning in to touch or pick up your newborn pushes the sides down and they automatically pop back in place once you move your arms away. “makes life so much less difficult and scary” Limited to your baby’s first 5 months or less, this bassinet is a bit pricey. Also make sure the large feet of the HALO stand will fit under your bed. “On nights when sleep is scarce, the Bassinest makes life so much less difficult and scary. Your baby is right next to you, at your level if you wish, and you can see him through the mesh.” -Katherine J. “We used this bassinet until our little one outgrew it. It was perfect for safe co-sleeping. The vented sides make it breathable and the washable pad kept its firmness and shape through washes. We used the womb sounds feature and transitioned to sound machine after weaning to the crib.” -Dilcia B. Under 30 lbs (usually under 5 months).
The Premiere Series model ($249.99) features a control center where, with a push of a button, you can turn on the vibration mode or nightlight, and play lullabies or calming sounds for your mini. There’s even a nursing timer to tell you when to switch sides. THE VERSATILE BASSINETGraco Pack 'n Play Reversible Napper and ChangerWHY WE LOVE IT Look for Graco models that come with a bassinet (sometimes called a “napper”). Place it next to your bed and you not only have a spot for your little one to sleep, but also a changing table. When your newborn outgrows the bassinet and diaper station, the Pack ‘n Play converts to a playard you can use for naptime or as a safe play space through toddlerhood. It’s also easy to pack up and move around the house. Some parents find the mattress to be lumpy or too firm and consequently buy a supplemental mattress. “We used this as a bassinet for the first few months, but I love the versatility to use this throughout baby’s first year, whether as a playard or portable sleeping solution.” -K.
“This was great for travel!” -Dana V. Under 15 lbs (changing table); under 3 months and unable to roll over (napper); under 35”, under 30 lbs, and unable to climb out (playard). THE LONG-TERM INVESTMENTStokke Sleepi Mini BundleWHY WE LOVE IT While this sleek bassinet is the priciest of the bunch, its durable beechwood frame expands to meet the needs of your growing child - from newborn to 10 years old. A nest-like, circular bassinet, the Stokke Sleepi is still narrow enough to pass through doors on its wheeled legs.When the newborn stage passes (it goes so fast!), the bassinet can be extended into an oval-shaped crib, then a toddler bed and finally, the frame can make two chairs. The extension kits to convert the bassinet to the other sizes are sold separately. Up to six months old (bassinet); up to 10 years old (for chair set). THE TRADITIONAL BASSINETSerena & Lily Sausalito Moses BasketWHY WE LOVE IT All that chicness of this cute traditional basket does come with a matching price tag, but once your little one outgrows sleeping in it, you can use it for toy storage in the nursery or playroom or really, anywhere.