What is a bassinet?
Welcoming a new baby means investing in enough space and schedule. When it comes to additions for your nursery, consider making the best arrangements so that the baby can grow up in the most comfortable and healthy home possible. In this regard, new parents often ask, “What is a bassinet?” Well, a bassinet is a bed specifically designed to accommodate babies from 0 to about 4 months.
Bassinets have basket-like construction, offering walled protection that makes them quite similar to cribs but on a minimal scale. Modern bassinets feature a fixed frame with the ability to rock from side to side. Bassinet frames made of wood, wicker, plastic, or metal have fixed, free-standing legs. Baby bassinets are usually lighter in weight and easier to move from room to room.
The pros and cons of a bassinet
Having a good understanding of the pros and cons of Bassinets is essential to ensure making the right decision.
Pros:
- Portability: Bassinets are a stellar option for parents constantly on the go who need a lightweight sleeper for transporting from place to place. Bassinet owners who opt to co-sleep with their newborn rather than sleep in a separate nursery should consider Bassinets that are easy to bring into the bedroom. You don’t have to invest in a baby monitor when you possess the bassinet.
- Affordability: Bassinets are smaller, more compact, and made of lighter materials, so they are available at lower total costs. Parents on a tight baby budget can easily afford them.
- Reduced risk of SIDS: to reduce the chance of SIDS, parents create a safe sleeping space for their baby with a bassinet, allowing you to keep the baby an arms-length away.
- Add-on features: Baby bassinets equipped with add-on features like a hood and removable storage systems protect babies from harsh lighting. There is also enough space for diapers, clothing, and other baby essentials.
Cons:
- Weight limits: The bassinet comes with a weight limit, and at a later stage, it brings tipping risk. A safe sleep space transforms into a dangerous sleep space as the baby grows.
- Shorter life span: Bassinets accommodate babies around 6 months old and younger. Once your baby reaches the weight limit, you will have to get rid of it as it would otherwise cause a safety hazard.
- Less cost effective: bassinets have such a short life span, and so it cant serve as long-term investment.
What to look for before buying a bassinet or crib?
When it comes to picking a crib or bassinet, consider functionality expectations. A shopping guide would make it effortless to narrow down the search and let you make the best decision for the final purchase.
1. Safety Standards
Look for the bassinet or crib’s overall safety. Ensure the desired baby bassinet or crib adheres to the latest US Consumer Product Safety Commission standards.
2. Ease of Assembly
Ensure that you’re investing in a incredibly easy-to-hackle unit, offering you peace of mind.
3. Durability
Choosing an affordable crib or bassinet that sacrifices quality and is available at a ridiculously low price won’t be a wise investment. Find an assembled crib or bassinet. Never go for a unit that feels flimsy or breakable.
Do you need a bassinet at all?
When it comes to doubt whether or not you should consider investing at all in one, be informed that there are many reasons parents should choose to invest in a bassinet.
1. Convenience
For first-time parents, raising a baby is a daunting experience. In this regard, you can rest assured that a bassinet will enable you to keep an eye on your little one. Also, this unit will assist you a lot with Feeding and comforting your child.
2. Portable solution
For new parents, a bassinet offers immense flexibility at home and when traveling outside. It will let you provide your little one with a safe place to sleep.
3. Wise investment
Bassinets can be expensive, and when you invest in a great one at a reasonable price, you can be sure that the unit will remain in excellent condition. Consider a convertible bassinet if you want a lasting one for the price you’re paying.
4. Customized to suit your lifestyle
Most bassinets equipped with add-on features provide parents with removable storage for nappies, clothing, and other essentials. You’ll also find them with a hood to shade your baby from sunlight or a mosquito net.
5. Space effective solution
For those with limited space, a bassinet is a superior option to a crib. They’re small enough for use in the bedroom and easy to move around the home.
Where should I put my bassinet?
When your child sleeps in the same room as you for the first six to 12 months, it’s worth investing in one as that can reduce the risk of SIDS by up to 50%. You can be sure that the unit that’s portable will make it effortless for you to be carried around the space, letting your baby safely sleep beside you.
Most parents put the bassinet by their bed so that they can keep close eye on their little one. The unit will be serving as the safer alternative to co-sleeping let you enjoy the phase of Feeding and comforting your baby with ease.
How long do babies sleep in a bassinet?
Before you decide to shift a baby from the bassinet to another place to sleep, ensure that the baby has reached the maximum height or weight limit as per the bassinet’s specifications. When you notice that your baby has started showing signs of rolling over or pulling up onto its hands, which usually happens between four and six months, you need to consider switching to some other space.
Are bassinets safe?
When you use it correctly, you can be sure that bassinets will serve as the topmost safe sleep option. But there are still some common risks associated with bassinet use, including but not limited to the incorrect assembly, not leaving enough space above the baby’s head, using blankets instead of a mattress, and continuing to use the bassinet even when the baby has outgrown it.
Final Thoughts on what is a bassinet?
Bassinets serve as a worthy investment for extra convenience and portability and ensure that it is effortless to consider sharing a room. When picking one from the huge list, ensure you pick the bassinet that’s right for your baby, and with that, you can have the peace of mind of having made one of the best investments for your child..
