A baby’s sleep routine is one of the biggest enigmas new parents face when their baby finally arrives. For how long should they sleep? When should they sleep? Does the baby have the best sleeping routine possible to ensure smooth transitions from one stage to the next in their journey to a more mature sleeping pattern? Ironically and in a very real way, these questions will make new parents lose sleep during those first months of a baby’s life. 

As a key element of those questions and that routine, parents also need to answer the question of where their baby will sleep during their first months. Bassinets, a signature baby product, is one of the options available for parents out there. But is it really necessary to have and use one? More information below to make an informed decision.

What is the Purpose of Bassinets?

Bassinets are cribs specifically designed for newborns. The exact definition of the term newborn in this case, which thus answers for how long a baby will use a bassinet, depends on each brand or manufacturer of a given bassinet. Typically, bassinets are made for babies under six months or even smaller. Keeping this in mind, a bassinet can be defined as a crib specifically designed to be used by babies under six months.

The purpose of a bassinet is to have a comfortable and convenient place to put the baby to sleep that is close to where the parents are sleeping, usually in the parents’ room. Compared to cribs, bassinets are smaller, lighter, and more easily transportable, which makes them the ideal to place in different rooms of the house.

Are Bassinets Necessary?

Bassinets are necessary depending on the needs and goals of a given family. In other words, some families will most definitely need them, while for other families, it will be more convenient to put their baby to sleep in a crib from the very first day. Parents should keep in mind that the most important thing is for the baby to sleep safely, so they should put aside considerations like financial ones and incur the extra expense of buying both a bassinet and crib if that aligns best with their needs.

Why do People Use Bassinets Instead of Cribs?

There are a variety of reasons why parents could decide to use a bassinet over a crib during the first months of their baby’s life. The first is that bassinets provide a convenient yet safe way for newborns and babies to sleep close to their parents. Creating and getting into a sleep routine is hard for a new family of three, and proximity helps everyone - the baby, because it will not feel alone and thus be at ease, and the parents because they will know their baby is safe. A bassinet allows for this without putting the baby at risk, like it would be putting it to sleep on the parents’ bed.

Another reason why parents decide to use a bassinet is because it is practical. Since they are smaller and lighter than cribs, bassinets can be put in almost any room without taking up too much space or being inconvenient. They can also be moved around relatively quickly, so parents could put them anywhere in their house and as needed, like for a nap during the day in the home office of one of the parents, for example.

Finally, bassinets are also easier to use and less taxing on parents from a physical point of view. Being smaller than cribs, parents do not need to crunch over as much as they will most likely need to with a crib. This might be very important for the baby’s mom in those first weeks after childbirth, especially if she has had a C-section.

Can a Newborn Sleep in a Crib Right Away?

The short answer to this question is yes, babies can sleep in a crib from the very beginning. What is important when deciding where to put a baby to sleep is whether it is a safe sleeping place or not. Cribs and bassinets in itself are neither safe nor risky, or, what is to say, both cribs and bassinets can be a risky place to put a baby to sleep if parents do not take measures to ensure a safe sleep for their baby. At a minimum, parents should put their baby to sleep on their backs on a firm mattress with blankets that fit the mattress tightly and without any pillows, toys, or bumpers.

Apart from safe sleep measures that should consistently be implemented regardless of where the baby is sleeping, parents should remember that babies can sleep on cribs from the beginning, but babies older than six months would most likely not be able to sleep on a bassinet. In other words, a crib can be used for the entire time a baby is not yet sleeping on a bed, but a bassinet can only be used for the first months of the baby’s life.

How Long Can a Baby Sleep in a Bassinet?

As with other baby-related matters, the answer to this question is not clear-cut. Each baby is different, and parents should keep an eye out for at least two things: whether their baby exceeded the bassinet’s recommended height and weight limit according to the manufacturer and whether their baby’s mobility, mainly whether or not they can roll over or sit up on their own. If any of the two conditions above are met, the baby needs to be moved to a crib to continue to sleep safely, as they did in the bassinet until that time.

What is the Difference Between a Bassinet and a Cot?

A cot is an ambiguous term, as some people, especially in the United Kingdom and other English-speaking countries, use it to refer to what people in the United States would call a crib. Keeping that in mind, the difference between a bassinet and a cot is the same as between a bassinet and a crib. While a detailed description of those differences exceeds the purpose of this article, the main difference between a bassinet and a cot (or crib) is that a cot is meant to be a safe sleeping space for babies, accounting for their increased mobility, like rolling over, sitting up or even standing.

What are the Different Types of Bassinets?

There are many types of bassinets out there, and it might be overwhelming for parents to decide which one to buy. To make the decision process more manageable, parents should first narrow down which type of bassinet best fits their needs, and only after that choice, start considering specific models. There are at least four types:

1. Moses Basket: This type of bassinet is literally a basket put on a structure that can hold it and the baby’s weight. Theoretically, a parent could pick up the basket and transport the baby, but they should double-check the manufacturer’s recommendations to see if any given model allows for that. These bassinets are inspired by the biblical story of Moses, who was put in a basket as a baby.
2. Bassinet: This type has the same name as the more general category. It is usually used to refer to an oval-shaped baby bed that lies on top of a metal structure with wheels, which allows for easy transportation, both with the baby on it or empty. Bassinets usually have a sun shade, which makes them look vintage.
3. Co-sleeper: This is the most modern design for bassinets. It has a collapsible side, which parents can put right next to their bed, and they can access the baby without even having to stand up from the bed. These are usually made of plastic, are light, and have wheels for easy transportation.
4. Cradle: This is the type of bassinet that is closest to a crib. In fact, it is usually a miniature version of a crib. They tend to be made of wood and are usually more heavy than other types of bassinets. This type generally has the most aesthetically pleasing designs, so for parents who want to prioritize, that is a good choice.

Bassinet thoughts from new parents

Putting your baby to sleep on a bassinet is a great and safe way for them to sleep near you during those first free months. The drawback is that it will be an extra expense because it does not remove the need for a crib after the baby grows beyond a certain point or becomes more mobile. Our recommendation to new parents is to get a bassinet! Please see our Honest Nesting Checklist, where we detail further the purchases we think are essential for the baby’s first month.