Having baby by your bedside can help facilitate late-night feedings, bedtime bonding and nighttime comforting. And if you're recovering from a C-section, you may also find that the lower height of a bassinet makes it easier to lift baby in and out — with a standard crib, there are higher sides to lean over.

A side that easily lowers is a boon for moms recovering from c-sections, but honestly it’s a great feature for most all parents. After the hundredth reach over a high side panel, you’ll know exactly why—and that is fewer aches and strains. PortabilityIf you plan to keep the bassinet near your bed, you’ll want one with an adjustable height to get the perfect fit. However, if the bassinet will be in your room but not bedside, the height might be less important. Still, I’ve always preferred to have at least a couple of adjustment options in case I want to change positions of the bassinet or alter the accessibility to it in terms of how much I’m bending down to it. Side That Lowers Spot clean only. Do not submerge in water. Do not machine wash. Do not bleach. Lay flat to dry. Do not iron. Do not dry clean. You may have heard that all three work for newborn sleep. But which one — or ones — should you invest in? The answer might be different for different families.

Needless to say, I kindly declined to use the dated bassinet for overnight sleep. Instead, we put it in the dining room so we'd only use it while we were within reach and could keep a close eye on our baby. Mom was a little offended that I didn't want to use it ("it was good enough for him! he turned out OK!"), but then caved and gifted us a new one for overnight use. Bassinets, mini cribs and playards can all come in handy for new parents who want to keep their baby close by.

Medical Review Policy

The newer one was dramatically better: safer, more comfortable, more versatile, lighter weight, and overall had a smaller footprint. And much more likely to soothe your baby, with its relatively modern features. It's on our list! Fortunately, bassinets have come a long way since the '80s. Some are still quite bad, most are "OK" and only a small number are really excellent. Keep the size and weight limit in mind. It maxes out around 20 pounds, and it is not height-adjustable, so you may need to move your baby to a full-size crib sooner than expected. The BassiNest base should be cleaned regularly by using a mild cleaning solution and a damp cloth. Do not use bleach. Do not use harsh or abrasive cleaners. Rinse clean with water. Allow to dry completely before use. Traveling with a baby—whether cross country or just down the street—typically requires schlepping a lot of gear, but the Dream On Me bassinet makes the experience much less of a headache.“I love this bassinet, because it's simple, practical and affordable,” says Medina. “It’s lightweight and folds up, which makes it easy to carry for room to room or if you're traveling. It has a mesh design on the sides allowing for great ventilation and to easily keep an eye on your little one. It also comes with a padded mattress that is easy to add fitted sheets and wash.”

I love it when parents use a bassinet for their baby in the first months of life," says Emily Scott, M.D., a pediatric hospitalist at Riley Children’s Health in Indianapolis, Indiana. "This makes it easier for them to have their baby sleep in their room." How long does baby sleep in a bassinet? Travel bassinets: These bassinets are typically more lightweight and often collapse for enhanced portability. They are great for moving around the house, plus can be used for travel. Some of these bassinets even convert to playards for longevity. Dimensions: 19 x 35.5 x 30.5 inches | Weight limit: 6 months | Height adjust: No | Vibration or motion: Yes | Music/Sound: Yes | Removable bassinet: No | Side that lowers: No | Storage: NoDiscontinue use of this product when the infant begins to push up on hands and knees or has reached 20lbs, whichever comes first. The best bassinets will help your baby fall asleep faster, sleep for longer, and have a more restful sleep. They will also help ensure your little one is safe and sound, comfortable, and practicing safe sleep practices as recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). Detachable nest should ONLY be used while baby is awake and supervised. Baby should not sleep in nest when detached from base or be left unattended. Do not detach nest or move it around the house while baby is inside. When detached, nest should ONLY be used on the floor. Do not use on raised or unlevel surfaces. We've been reviewing bassinets for over 10 years, and appreciate how difficult it is to find the perfect model for your family. If we made our own bassinet, here is what it would look like: Cover: Remove cover. Wash before use. Machine wash warm, gentle cycle. Wash separately. Do not bleach. Tumble dry low. Do not iron. Do not dry clean.

In the first year of a baby's life, a lot of time is spent focusing on getting your baby to sleep through the night, nap frequently during the day, and spend less time fussing. A good bassinet can help make those dreams a reality! Here are the Best Bassinets of 2023! A bassinet is smaller than a crib, but some are more unwieldily than others. How much space do you have in your room? Be truthful with yourself about what will fit in your space, including the amount of space between your bed and the wall, for example. Is there a way to keep the bassinet out of reach from other children or pets? Is there room for you to walk around to access the bathroom? Read those dimensions carefully and maybe map out the bassinet footprint on your floor. Watch out for legs that extend too far to avoid a tripping hazard. Weight Limit Best-selling HALO® BassiNest® is a game changer when it comes to safe sleep. It’s only bassinet that swivels over your bed, so you can sleep inches away from your baby. The lowering wall makes it easy to scoop them up for cuddles or feeds in bed. Converts to a portable nest for around the house so you can stay close to them during the daytime too. Dimensions: 33.5 x 23 x 32 inches | Weight limit: 20 pounds (bassinet); 35 pounds (play yard) | Height adjust: No | Vibration or motion: No | Music/Sound: No | Removable bassinet: Yes | Side that lowers: No | Storage: No Dimensions: 21 x 31 x 34 inches | Weight limit: 18 pounds | Height adjust: No | Vibration or motion: No | Music/Sounds: No | Removable bassinet: No | Side that lowers: Yes | Storage: Plentiful

If you keep reading, we chat more about each Bassinest that Halo offers, but we wanted to start with a simple chart.