“Do I Need a Bassinet?”
When we were preparing our baby shower registry, one question I could not seem to get a definitive answer on was, “Do I need a bassinet?” I knew we needed a crib (duh), but whether or not a bassinet was another baby essential was not as clear to me.
So, do you need a bassinet? Short answer: no.
For a longer explanation for why you may not necessarily need a bassinet read on. (Note: we are not experts on crib and newborn sleep safety, but we have aggregated research here for quick reference. If you have more questions about infant sleep, check out the resources included at the bottom of the post!)
What is a bassinet?
A bassinet is a crib specially designed for newborn babies (usually from 0 - 4 months). Bassinets are smaller and usually have a thinner, firmer mattress than cribs. Bassinets are also meant to be more portable compared to their larger crib counterparts.
Do I need a bassinet for my newborn baby?
Not really, no. A crib works just fine for newborns, but double-check your crib’s height is appropriately set and all safety precautions and standards are met.
How long can you use a bassinet?
A bassinet is only suitable for young infants (typically 0 - 4 months old). Because an infant can only use it for a very limited amount of time, some parents prefer to forgo the expense of a bassinet and opt for a crib, pack n play, or another affordable bassinet alternative.
What are the benefits of having a bassinet?
A bassinet is handy if:
You have multiple floors in your house and you want to move your bassinet around with you to keep your little one close.
Your master bedroom is small. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends newborns sleep in the same room as their parents but in a separate sleeping space (i.e., not in their parent’s bed). Given that bassinets are smaller by design, it may be a better physical fit for your limited space.
You wind up having a difficult birth or C-section. Cribs have higher walls which can make it uncomfortable for new and recovering moms to lean in and place their baby down. Bassinets, meanwhile, have lower sides which makes it easier for you to lay down and pick up your little one.
What are the drawbacks of a bassinet?
The main drawback of a bassinet is simply the expense of an item that has limited use and lifespan. Even if you want to hold onto it for your next baby, it may be cumbersome to store if you have limited space.
If you have further questions about bassinets versus cribs and sleep safety, we encourage you to speak with your pediatrician. Or, if you do not have a pediatrician yet, here are some expert resources to help your research: