Bedside Bassinet: What To Consider When Buying A Bedside Sleeper Bassinet

photo by: @mixedmombrownbabies

You probably spent hours and hours planning the perfect nursery to bring your baby home, painstakingly choosing the just-right wall color, researching cribs, and picking out baby bedding and other furnishings.

But for the first few months, most new parents find that their baby’s impeccably designed nursery goes unused because they turn to a different place for their babies to sleep: their parents room! A bedside sleeper bassinet in your room is a must for the first few months of baby’s life.

What is a Bedside Bassinet?

Wondering what a bedside bassinet is—and if you really need one for your baby? Unlike a crib, a bassinet is a smaller, more portable sleep space that’s specifically made for newborns and infants. They’re compact enough to easily fit in your bedroom, and can close to your bed so your baby is within arm’s reach during the night, making nighttime feedings much easier.   

But it’s not just about convenience. The research is clear that a bedside bassinet is the safest option for your baby’s sleep: the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) says unequivocally that the best place for babies to sleep is in their parents’ room, on a separate sleep surface near the bed, for at least the first six months.  

How to Choose the Best Bedside Bassinet

As you shop for a bassinet, you’ll find a wide range of options with different features and price points. So how do you choose the best bassinet for your baby?

The most important feature, of course, is safety. Pick a bedside bassinet and bassinet sheets that are manufactured by a company with a good reputation and that follow AAP guidelines. The bassinet should offer a firm sleep surface to comply with AAP guidelines and mesh sides that allow for better airflow and let your baby breathe if their face gets turned into the sides or corners.

A stable and sturdy base is just as vital. Imagine stumbling around in a dark room in the middle of the night…the last thing you want is a baby bedside bassinet that can tip over or collapse if you accidentally bump into it. Make sure any bassinet you consider buying is solidly built by giving the frame a good shake. If it wobbles or collapses, find a better option.

Additionally, you may want to choose a bedside bassinet that is height adjustable: this feature is particularly valuable if you have a C-section and have trouble leaning over to lay your baby down or pick them up.

And you may not need a fully tricked-out bassinet, but features like the built-in sounds and motion on the MamaRoo Sleep® Bassinet make a bassinet much more functional—and make your life (and your nights) easier.

The Many Benefits of a Bedside Bassinet

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, then a bedside sleeper bassinet is for you. 

There’s no denying the convenience that a bassinet can provide. Your newborn will eat every two to three hours, and just being able to pick up your baby for a nighttime feeding without leaving the bedroom will make your nights much more restful. And since your baby is right next to you all night long, you can just roll over and watch your baby’s chest rise and fall as they sleep, giving you instant peace of mind that they’re resting safely.

You've Got This!

Sleepless nights with a new baby are no joke, but a bedside bassinet can help ease the transition…and make nights a little easier for you both.