A bassinet allows you to keep your baby in your own room at night instead of having them sleep in their crib right away.
A very basic bassinet is similar to a basket for your baby to sleep in that allows you to carry them around without disturbing their sleep.
There are bassinets that come attached to their own stands, and ones that come with a lot of features other than just a cozy place to sleep.
Bassinets are smaller and more convenient to move around than cribs. You can move them into other rooms a lot easier than moving the crib would be.
When choosing the best bassinet for your newborn, there are many things to consider related to size, portability, safety, and addtional features.
Size
The size of the bassinet is important when considering how long you’d like to use the bassinet. Bassinets are generally only good until your baby can start moving around on their own, and most bassinets will be outgrown by 4 or 5 months old. Some larger bassinets are made to be used until your baby can sit up, which gives you a few months longer than a smaller bassinet that becomes unstable once your baby is rolling around.
Size is also an issue for the space in your home that you’ll be using the bassinet. If your bedroom is large enough to fit your baby’s crib, then size might not be a concern, but if you have a smaller space, look for one with a smaller size stand.
Portability
Deciding whether you want a bassinet to be permanently placed in the room with you, or if you’d like to be able to move it around. If you’re looking for a bassinet to move from one room to another with you, there are larger bassinet with wheels, and smaller basket style ones which normally have a handle for you to carry them.
If you’re looking for one to take outside of the house, bassinets made specifically for travel will often pack up nicely, are lightweight, and some even come with a travel carrying case.
Safety
When choosing a bassinet for your newborn, keep in mind that their safety is the most important thing. When buying a new bassinet, here are some safetly related features that you’ll want to look for:
- Look for a bassinet with a firm mattress, and that it is fitted properly to the bassinet.
- Make sure that the sides of the bassinet are airy and breathable.
- Inspect the bassinet for stability and make sure any folding pieces lock properly.
- Register your bassinet with the manufacturer, and pay attention to product recalls.
Additional features
There are features and functions available with different bassinets that are going to vary. You may be looking for things like music, lights, toys, storage, or automatic rocking features, or you may want just a basic space for sleeping.
Top Rated Bassinets
When you’re looking for a bassinet, it can be a good idea to check out the best selling and most popular ones. They generally have features and craftsmanship that appeal to a lot of people’s choices.
HALO Bassinest Swivel Sleeper Bassinet
The Halo Bassinest is a very popular bassinet that rotates and swivels 360 degrees. |
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Read our full HALO Bassinest Swivel Sleeper Bassinet Review |
BabyBjorn Cradle
The BabyBjorn Cradle is a very popular bassinet that is lightweight, and rocks gently with you or your baby’s movements. |
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Read our full BabyBjorn Cradle Review |
Best Portable Bassinets
Portable bassinets are handy for taking from room to room with you in your home. They often have handles for moving to while your baby sleeps, or are designed to easily fold up and be relocated.
SwaddleMe Deluxe By Your Side Sleeper
This popular sleeper has a very sturdy metal frame and is lined with mesh. |
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Read our full SwaddleMe Deluxe By Your Side Sleeper Review |
Badger Basket Hooded Moses Basket
This useful bassinet has a classic look and is easy to carry from room to room in your home. |
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Read our full Basket Hooded Moses Basket Review |
Best Rocking Bassinets
Being able to rock your baby to sleep is a very valuable feature for a bassinet to have. A lot of bassinets stand flat on the ground so if rocking is important to you, make sure you’re looking at ones that have the ability to rock or glide back and forth.
Delta Children Rocking Bassinet
This adorable rocking bassinet is perfect for keeping your little one close to you during the early months. |
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Read our full Delta Children Rocking Bassinet Review |
Best Bassinets for Small Spaces
Sometimes space is restricted for the area you wish to place your bassinet. It is also very easy to run out of room when you start adding all the things your new baby will need into your home.
If you are looking to save space, there are great smaller bassinets available. Your baby may grow out of them sooner but they still serve the purpose during the early newborn months.
Tiny Love 3-in-1 Rocker Napper
This useful bassinet has different reclining positions so that it can also be used as a seat or a rocker. |
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Read our full Tiny Love 3-in-1 Rocker Napper Review |
Monte Design Ninna Nanna Bassinet
A sleek and modern bassinet that fits in with the most fashionable furniture. |
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Read our full Monte Design Ninna Nanna Bassinet Review |
Best Bassinets for Twins
If you’re expecting twins, you’re probably expecting to get two of a lot of things. Twin bassinets are more compact than getting two separate ones, and they still allow your babies to be close to each other while giving them their own space too.
Graco Pack n Play Playard with Twins Bassinet
The Pack ‘n Play Playard with Twin Bassinet, in Vance, is a roomy playard with 2 cozy quilted bassinets for twins. |
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Largest Bassinet
If you want to keep your baby in a bed-side bassinet for as long as possible, a larger bassinet can make it more likely. You still want to move your baby into a crib by the time they are sitting up in their bassinet, but with many of the smaller bassinets, they can outgrow them lengthwise before this happens.
Arms Reach Clear-Vue Co-Sleeper
A large bassinet for use up to 5 months or until your baby is able to push up onto their hand and knees. |
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Best Travel Bassinets
Travel bassinets are a great combination for in the home, and to take with you on the go. It will come in handy having a bed for your newborn to sleep in when you are out visiting or traveling with them.
Brica Fold N Go Travel Bassinet
This light, durable, and safe bassinet is super easy to pack, carry, and set up. |
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Best Budget Bassinet
If a requirement for a bassinet is affordability, you can find some good options that aren’t compromising quality too much. While they may be very basic, they still fulfill the need and are easy to use.
BabyHome Dream Baby Bassinet
This affordable and versatile bassinet is designed to fit babies from 0 to 6 months old. |
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Best Playards with Bassinet
Having a playard in combination with your bassinet lets your baby get even more use out of it. When they outgrow sleeping in the bassinet, they can even sleep in the playard if they’re not ready to transition to their own room.
The playard is also a great way to keep them out of trouble once they start getting around on their own.
Ingenuity Smart and Ridgedale Simple Playard
The Dream Centre bassinet is the perfect place for newborns to rest or play. |
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Evenflo Portable Babysuite Deluxe Playard
The Evenflo Portable BabySuite Deluxe offers parents convenient space for Baby Care and Play. |
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Joovy Room Playard with Bassinet and Changing Table
This premier, full feature nursery center is a bassinet, changing station and playard, all in one. |
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