Out of all of the baby equipment most parents focus, one of the most useful items is often overlooked:  The bassinet. A bassinet is a bed for your little bundle, normally used until the baby is three to four months old. It’s normally a light, portable option, perfect for a baby bed on the go.

It’s also great for parents who want to co-sleep with baby, but don’t want to risk their baby’s safety. The bassinet can be set up right next to your bed, and most bassinets are about the same height as your mattress! This is an especially good option for nursing mothers.

With a bassinet, you won’t need to get out of bed to feed your baby! Do you have an older child that is still sleeping in a crib? If you invest in a quality bassinet, you’ll have time to wean your child off of the crib before passing it down to your new infant. The perks are nearly endless.

Bassinets are definitely becoming more popular and considered as one of home essentials that all parents are looking after. With the rise in attachment parenting, more and more people are looking to keep their babies close at night. Of course, just as with every other piece of baby furniture, there are things to look for.

Buying Guide

As always, when buying baby furniture, safety should be paramount. Before buying a bassinet, you should make sure that it complies with the American Academy of Pediatrics’ requirements. This includes buying bassinets that are new, and don’t use lead paint. If your bassinet has wheels, they should be able to be locked in place.

The mats that normally come with the bassinet shouldn’t be soft; instead, go for a firm or even extra firm mattress. This will help cut back on dangers should baby end up face-down while asleep. The sides, too, shouldn’t be too soft. Instead, they should either be firm or mesh to allow for easy breathing.

There are other things to look for, besides basic safety requirements. A lot of bassinets will have options that make them easy to travel with. For example, they may fold up. Others may come with wheels, making a transition from room to room easy.

If you’re recovering from a c-section, or just want to make feeding baby easy, look for an option that either is or can be lowered to bed height. You can also look for models that have an option to soothe your baby to sleep, such as vibrating.

HALO Bassinest Swivel Sleeper Bassinet

HALO Bassinest Swivel Sleeper Bassinet is a bassinet option that is particularly good for parents who will be tending their baby from bed.

This includes mothers nursing in the middle of the night, mothers recovering from a cesarean section, or anyone who just doesn’t want to leave bed to deal with midnight cries. This is a bassinet that has very few flaws, making it a great choice when looking to purchase a bassinet for baby.

Features

The most noted feature of the HALO Bassinest Swivel Sleeper Bassinet is its ability to swivel. While most bassinets don’t have this option, or don’t have a wide range, this bassinet can swivel a full 360 degrees, making it easy to position it and baby in just the right way.

This means that it will be easier on mothers recovering from a surgical birth, or for those who are just too tired to get out of bed. Its other notable feature is its ability to soothe infants. It comes equipped with a nightlight, as well as three lullabies, three nature sounds, and two vibrate settings.

Pros

• HALO Bassinest Swivel Sleeper Bassinet can swivel a full 360 degrees, making it great for parents feeding their child in the night, or simply getting out of bed without moving baby.
• Comes with a waterproof mattress, so a waterproof pad isn’t required.
• Can be adjusted to fit almost any bed.
• Comes equipped with a nightlight. HALO Bassinest Swivel Sleeper Bassinet also plays soothing sounds, including three lullabies and three nature sounds. Will also vibrate on two settings.

Cons

• Can be a bit too cramped for taller, older babies.
• Some babies might not find the HALO Bassinest Swivel Sleeper Bassinet comfortable.
• Mattress is a bit thin.

Summary

If you’re looking for a good bassinet, especially if you’ve had a c-section, or just find yourself too tired to get out of bed in the middle of the night, the HALO Bassinest Swivel Sleeper Bassinet is perfect for you. Its three hundred and sixty degree swivel makes it very handy, and easy to keep baby nearby.

Even better, the nightlight, three lullabies, three nature sounds, and two vibration settings offer a wide array of ways to comfort your baby and to lull him or her to sleep.

Graco Dream Suite Bassinet

For those who are looking for a full baby-soothing kit on wheels, then look no further than the Graco Dream Suite Bassinet. It’s a great choice for those who are looking to set up an area where they can keep everything that baby needs. That alone makes it perfect for small spaces, such as apartments or shared living spaces.

It’s also a safe option: The wheels come with locks that you only need to push a button to operate. There’s no more excuse for leaving your wheels unlocked! It’s also comfortable and fun for your baby!

Features

The most prominent feature of the Graco Dream Suite Bassinet is its four wheels. This makes it easy to move around, which is perfect if you prefer your baby to be in the same room as you. It also makes quickly moving baby back to his or her room, or into your bedroom, a cinch.

The wheels have an easy safety lock, as well. It’s also very comfortable for baby to use. The canopy will help to block out light, even in bright rooms. There are two vibrate settings, to soothe baby, and two plush toys hanging from the canopy, to catch baby’s attention.

Pros

• Has four wheels, for easy maneuvering of your bassinet.
• Has a push-button locking system, for an easier and safer place to sleep.
• Comes with a storage system underneath; great for storing diaper changing materials.
• Can be used as a changing table until baby weighs 30 lbs.
• Has a canopy, to block out light.
• Comes with two vibrate settings.
• Comes with two soft toys.

Cons

• Can be very difficult to put together; the instructions aren’t great.
• Only comes with one sheet that isn’t waterproof. They offer no replacements that fit the Graco Dream Suite Bassinet exactly.

Summary

If you’re looking for an easy-to-maneuver, comfortable center for most of your baby’s care, then the Graco Dream Suite Bassinet is an excellent choice. Its wheels are perfect for moving from place to place, and they lock for your baby’s safety.

The two vibration settings will soothe baby to sleep, and the canopy above will block out light while he or she snoozes. The toys will captivate attention during playtime, and the storage underneath allows for quick cleanup and diaper changes.

Arm’s Reach Concepts Cambria Co-Sleeper Bassinet

With the resurgence of attachment parenting, more and more parents want to give co-sleeping a go. Unfortunately, a baby sharing a bed with his or her parents is inherently dangerous; it could easily result in SIDS or suffocation. That’s why co-sleepers, bassinets that open on one side to be pressed against a bed, are back in vogue.

And, when looking for a co-sleeper, the Arm’s Reach Concepts Cambria Co-Sleeper Bassinet is a great choice. Not only does it allow for co-sleeping, it can also be adjusted to function as a standard bassinet. The wheels and storage area are certainly a bonus!

Features

The first thing that will draw attention is the fact that the Arm’s Reach Concepts Cambria Co-Sleeper Bassinet, unlike a lot of bassinets on the market, works as a co-sleeper. This means that it can be pressed against your bed to allow for easy access to your baby.

This is great for nursing mothers or mothers recovering from a c-section. If you don’t want a co-sleeper all of the time, no worries! The sides can be raised and locked in place, turning it into a traditional bassinet. The wheels make it easy to move, and the storage space is great for storing diapers and other baby supplies.

Pros

• Allow for co-sleeping without the worry of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome or other problems related to bed sharing.
• The same height as the average bed, for convenience and safety.
• Designed so that your baby is within easy to reach.
• Comes with wheels, for improved mobility.
• Comes with a storage area beneath the bassinet itself.
• Sides can be lowered or raised, so that it can be used as both a co-sleeper and a traditional bassinet.

Cons

• Bottom storage area might be a little flimsy.
• The wood finish might be a little cheap for certain tastes.

Summary

If you want a co-sleeper so that your little one will be safe beside you all night, but also want something that can be used as a more traditional bassinet, the Arm’s Reach Concepts Cambria Co-Sleeper Bassinet is right for you.

Not only is it a great way to keep your baby near you, it can be moved to any room in the house. The storage space below is certainly a welcome perk, as well.

Delta Children Smooth Glide Bassinet

Most of the time, bassinets only offer vibrate options to soothe your babies; rocking and gliding are usually left to cradles and swings. But not the Delta Children Smooth Glide Bassinet! It offers a gliding base, to soothe your baby. Beyond that, it also provides music and a night light, so that your baby is never without something to keep him or her occupied and happy.

The design is wonderful, as well:  Everything is machine washable. There are, however, some downsides. It is a bit flimsy, and can’t be used by larger babies safely. The wheels can also be difficult to move. Beyond that, though, it’s a fine bassinet!

Features

The most important feature of the Delta Children Smooth Glide Bassinet is its ability to glide. Because this isn’t a common feature in bassinets, as opposed to cradles, it really makes this one stick out. It also has music and a night light to keep baby calm.

The polyester materials that make up this bassinet are all washable, and the canopy is removable. There are downsides, though, because it’s a bit flimsy, this bassinet shouldn’t be used for larger, more active babies.

The wheels, too, are an issue; they don’t always roll as well as they should. But, if you can work around those problems, the Delta Children Smooth Glide Bassinet could definitely be for you!

Pros

• Has a gliding base to soothe your baby.
• Has a music feature available.
• Comes with a built-in, soft nightlight.
• Has a removable canopy.
• The design is beautiful, and all fabrics are machine washable.
• Comes with caster wheels for better mobility of bassinet.
• Small footprint.

Cons

• Can be a bit flimsy.
• Wheels may not work well, making it tedious to move.
• Can’t be used for larger babies.

Summary

The Delta Children Smooth Glide Bassinet has a lot of great features that you should look for when buying a bassinet. It can glide, which is great for lulling your infant to sleep. It also plays soft lullabies and comes with a night light.

The design is gorgeous, and completely washable for easy cleanup. But the downsides need weighing, as well. It can be too flimsy to use with larger babies, and the wheels don’t turn very well. Other than that, this is a great choice.

Summer Infant Soothe & Sleep Bassinet with Motion

Everyone wants a beautiful bassinet for their nursery. If you’re looking for something to fit in your little girl’s room, or simply a bassinet that’s nice to look at, you’ll like the Summer Infant Soothe & Sleep Bassinet with Motion. But this is more than something nice to look at!

It also offers a wide array of ways to soothe your body, including vibration, music, and nature and womb sounds! The wheels it has makes it easy to move from place to place.

The only complaints found were that the vibrating option wasn’t particularly strong, and neither was the sound. Other than that, the Summer Infant Soothe & Sleep Bassinet with Motion was perfect.

Features

The key feature of the Summer Infant Soothe & Sleep Bassinet with Motion is its design. It has a cheerful, modern design that is perfect for any little girl. Its quilted interior, besides just being beautiful, is also very comfortable for baby. The canopy, too, is more than just looks:  It’s adjustable.

The flowers and butterflies hanging from the canopy are sure to draw your baby’s attention! It has means to calm your baby, as well. There is a vibrating option, and it plays four music options, two nature sounds, and one womb sound.

Pros

• Has a modern, beautiful design; perfect for little girls!
• The inside is quilted for added comfort.
• Comes with wheels, for mobility.
• Vibrates to soothe your baby.
• Comes with a wide array of sounds, including four musical options, two nature sounds, and one womb sound.
• The canopy is adjustable, and has soft toys (flowers and butterflies) hanging from the inside.

Cons

• The vibrating option may not work very vigorously.
• The music and sounds play at a low volume.

Summary

The Summer Infant Soothe & Sleep Bassinet with Motion is a perfect bassinet for your little girl! Not only is it beautiful, with a very modern design, quilted interior, and little details, it’s also a wonderful functioning choice.

The Summer Infant Soothe & Sleep Bassinet with Motion employs a range of options for calming your baby, including vibration, four music choices, two nature sounds, and a womb sound.

The complaints about this product were minimal, and more an issue of taste than actual problems. The Summer Infant Soothe & Sleep Bassinet with Motion is wonderful!

Final Verdict

When buying a bassinet, you need to take a lot into consideration. The first, of course, is safety. But, beyond that, you’ll want something that will suit your needs. Not everyone has the same taste, needs and, most importantly, baby.

If you’re looking for something with a large degree of reach and easy adjustments, the HALO Bassinest Swivel Sleeper Bassinet is perfect for you and for your baby. It has a lot of great features, and doesn’t have very many criticisms.

However, if you would prefer a bassinet that can work as a co-sleeper, as well, then the Arm’s Reach Concepts Cambria Co-Sleeper Bassinet is better. Both are great for nursing moms, or for mothers recovering from a c-section.

A beautiful choice is the Summer Infant Soothe & Sleep Bassinet with Motion, which is useful, as well as beautiful. The Delta Children Smooth Glide Bassinet and the Graco Dream Suite Bassinet both work well, but do have their problems; check them out thoroughly before purchasing.

But, even with these reviews, the best person to look to when deciding on a bassinet is you and your baby. Only the two of you (and, perhaps, your spouse) know what you will need out of it. Trust your instinct.