What Is Bedside Bassinet? How to Choose the Best Bedside Bassinet?

You undoubtedly spent a considerable amount of time deliberating over the ideal wall color for the nursery, researching cribs, and selecting baby bedding and other furniture.

However, most new parents discover that their baby’s beautifully appointed nursery lies unused during the first few months since the infant sleeps in the parents’ bedroom instead. For the first few months of your baby’s existence, a bassinet by your bed is a necessity.

What is a Bedside Bassinet?

You may be unfamiliar with the term “bedside bassinet” and unsure if you actually need to get one for your infant. A bassinet is a smaller and more portable sleeping place designed for infants and newborns than a traditional crib. They are small enough to fit in your bedroom and can be placed next to your bed to make overnight feedings easy.

But practicality isn’t the only consideration. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends that babies sleep in their parents’ room on a separate sleep surface near the bed for at least the first six months. This makes a bassinet by your bed the safest alternative for your baby’s sleep.

Why buy a bedside bassinet?

A bassinet is a type of bed made for babies from birth to about 4 to 6 months of age. Because you’ll want quick access to your infant throughout the night, it’s common to set it up next to your bed. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends utilizing a bedside bassinet so that your infant can sleep in the same room as you do, but in a crib or bassinet rather than your bed (AAP). It’s also easier to get in and out of a bassinet than a crib, which is a major plus.

How to Choose the Best Bedside Bassinet

Babies often sleep in a bassinet for the first four to six months of their lives. You can easily get to your infant if you set it up near to your bed. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, one of the greatest benefits of utilizing a bedside bassinet is that it allows your newborn to sleep in the same room as you do, but in a crib instead of your bed (AAP). To add to the list of advantages, a bassinet’s lower profile makes it simpler to get in and out of it than a crib’s.

A strong foundation is equally important. Consider the difficulty of trying to find your way around a pitch-black room at three in the morning. You definitely don’t want a bedside bassinet for your infant that is prone to collapse or toppling over if you so much as brush up against it. Shake the frame of any bassinet you’re thinking about buying to be sure it’s well-made. In the event that it shakes or falls apart, you should look elsewhere.

If you’ve had a C-section and are having problems bending over to lay down or pick up your baby, a bedside bassinet that can be adjusted in height may be a good option.

Even though you might not require a high-tech bassinet, having extras like the MamaRoo Sleep® Bassinet’s vibration and music options can make your life (and your baby’s sleep) much easier.

The Many Benefits of a Bedside Bassinet

A bedside sleeper bassinet is ideal if you’re concerned about getting enough sleep during the first few weeks and months at home with your baby and want to set them up for future sleep success.

The usefulness of a bassinet cannot be denied. Having the ability to pick up your infant for a nocturnal feeding without having to leave the bedroom will allow you to get much more rest. Babies typically eat every two to three hours when they are first born. In addition, since your baby is sleeping next to you, you can rest easy knowing that they are in a safe environment because you can just turn over and observe the rhythmic movement of their chest while they rest.

What’s the difference between a bassinet and a crib?

The first few months of an infant’s life are often spent in a bassinet. Conversely, cribs are intended for longer-term usage, sometimes beginning at birth and continuing until the baby is ready for a bed. Lighter and more portable than cribs, bassinets are convenient for parents who need to take their babies with them. Bassinets are often lower to the ground than cribs, making it easier for parents to reach down and pick up their infant.

Our Picks for the Best Bedside Bassinets

Baby Delight Beside Me Dreamer Bassinet & Bedside Sleeper

This zippable drop side bassinet is attached to the parent’s bed using straps, which is a huge convenience. The mesh sides of the device allow it to stand on its own and provide ventilation. The mattress and the fitted sheet are provided, and assembly only takes around 10 minutes. The mattress of this bassinet may be raised or lowered to one of six different heights, with the highest position being around 18 inches from the floor.

Negatives: After assembly, you might need to check for mattress slant and make necessary changes. As an additional note, some parents have found the mattress to be too firm. Please keep in mind that the American Academy of Pediatrics suggests putting infants to sleep on a flat, hard surface.

Would you rather your baby sleep in an open-sided bedside sleeper or a fully enclosed mesh bassinet? This product gives you the option to do either or both. This bassinet can be easily adjusted to bedside or standalone use, and it can be moved around with ease.

HALO BassiNest Swivel Sleeper Bedside Bassinet

The HALO BassiNest Swivel Sleeper has many advantages, including the fact that it is a bassinet that can be swiveled around to make it easier to get to your baby when she needs you. The mattress is plush and comfortable, and a fitted sheet is included. The BassiNest can be folded up and stored away easily due to its compact size and low weight. Both a solo bassinet and a bedside version are available.

Cons: This bassinet is one of the more expensive types because of all the extra features it has. Because bassinets are only used for the first few months of a baby’s life, some may see the purchase as a waste of money.

In Conclusion: This model may be the one for you if you want a high-quality bassinet with a lot of extras. Remember that these extras will drive up the price, and that in a few months you’ll want to switch your kid to a standard crib anyhow.

Delta Children Deluxe Sweet Beginnings Bedside Bassinet

If you’re looking for a traditional bassinet without sacrificing convenience, this one can suit your needs. This bassinet may be used in nearly any room thanks to its gender-neutral design and removable cover that blocks light. This bassinet has a nightlight and music to assist your baby relax and fall asleep, in addition to the safety of locking wheels. You can store your baby’s extra clothes, blankets, diapers, and wipes in the huge basket located at the base of the crib. This bassinet features a machine-washable fitted cover and a waterproof mattress.

ConsThis classic bassinet lacks modern conveniences that many parents value. Another drawback is that it does not have the breathable mesh sides of many contemporary bassinet designs.

In sum, this classic-styled, portable bassinet will provide a safe and comfortable sleeping environment for your baby. Although some popular bassinet features are excluded, several other convenient elements such as music and a storage basket are included at a good value.

4moms mamaRoo Bluetooth Baby Bassinets

The bouncing vibrations of this Bluetooth-controlled bassinet will remind your baby of being rocked to sleep, putting her at ease and allowing you to get some rest. All features can be conveniently managed from a single location using the 4moms app on a suitable smart device. With its five varied rocking motions and five adjustable speeds, you can find the perfect combination for your baby. This bassinet has four different white noise options (rain, ocean, fan, and shh) to help your baby go asleep. This smart bassinet can be assembled in minutes and operates softly enough to use at night.

Negatives This bassinet is on the pricey side for something that will only be used for a few months, given that it has Bluetooth technology. After 4 hours, the motion stops. Some newborns are readily roused when the rocking stops, even if parents can restart it via the app.

The advanced smart features of this Bluetooth-enabled bedside bassinet are designed to ensure a safe and peaceful night’s sleep for your baby.

SNOO Smart Sleeper Baby Bassinet

A built-in swaddle that maintains a baby in the safest posture for lowering the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) is just one of the unique features that set this bedside bassinet apart from the competition. The bassinet may be controlled and the baby’s sleep patterns analyzed with the use of a mobile app that can be downloaded into your smartphone. Built-in white noise and gentle rocking are two further characteristics that are standard on bassinets. But the unique feature of this premium bassinet is that it responds immediately to your baby’s cries by turning on the aforementioned features.

Cons: Not everyone can afford a bassinet that costs more than $1,500. There is no universal answer to the question of whether or not a pricier bed with deluxe amenities and the promise of better night’s sleep is worth it to every given family.

For a better night’s sleep for both you and your baby, consider investing in this high-tech, high-end bassinet. Its price is just as astounding. The three SNOO bags, a fitted sheet, a mattress, and a water-resistant cover are included in addition to the innovative design. Think about whether or not the benefits are worth the cost to you and your loved ones.

Final Thoughts

When it comes to finding a place for their newborn to sleep that is both secure and pleasant, parents have a lot to think about. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) suggests having a baby sleep in the same room as their parents, but on a separate bed, for the first six months. There is a wide range of options in terms of price, portability, and features, so you may find a bassinet that works well for you and your kid.