Choosing the right crib for your newborn is an important decision. Your baby will be (hopefully!) spending more than half their time in asleep, so finding a practical and comfortable crib is crucial. It will also help make your life easier as a new parent if you choose a crib with handy features. Remember, for safety your baby should not have anything in the crib including soft toys, pillows or loose blankets.
Considerations When Choosing a Baby Bassinet
The main thing to look for with a bassinet is safety. Check the mattress, if there is one included, is firm enough to offer plenty of support. The sides of the bassinet should also be breathable to prevent the risk of suffocation. It’s also important to follow the height and weight guidelines of the cradle, and you should stop using it once your baby is able to sit up by themselves.
You might also wish to look for extra features, such as a built in mobile or a rocking stand to help soothe your little one off to sleep. Some parents choose to buy two bassinets, one for upstairs in the bedroom and one for downstairs to use during nap time. Having a bassinet close to hand also means you’ll always have somewhere to put baby down if you need to answer the door or check on dinner for example.
There are a few different styles of bassinet, and the one you should choose is really down to personal preference, as well as when it will be used. A portable bassinet is ideal for those who frequently travel, and worry about not having somewhere safe for baby to sleep at the new destination. For parents who wish to have the baby close during the night, a bedside bassinet is the way to go. You can even choose a co sleeper bassinet, which is great for those night time feeds, or if your baby struggles to settle when apart from you.
The Reviews: Best Newborn Bassinets
In this section, you will find reviews of different styles of bassinets and cradles for newborn babies. There’s sure to be something to suit your family’s needs here, and there are cradles to match any nursery style. We have chosen unisex designs, but if you know the sex of the baby and are looking for something more gender-specific, you can find a baby girl bassinet or a baby boy bassinet at many stores and websites too.
Fisher Price Soothing Motions Bassinet
This Fisher Price bassinet comes with loads of useful features to help soothe newborns to sleep. There are calming vibrations, and the cradle also sways. The swaying motion can either be powered by mom or dad, or just by the baby moving around. The cradle can also play sounds and songs to help at bedtime.
The rocking bassinet comes with a projector nightlight which can be used attached to the cradle or on its own. The light can be used for plain light, or to project stars around the room, which young babies are sure to love. The lights, sounds and vibrations shut off after around half an hour, which is ideal for saving the batteries, and should be long enough for babies to settle down.
Green Frog Bassinet
This Green Frog cradle is designed for safety and is lightweight and easy to move around. There are hidden wheels which mean the cradle can easily be taken to another room, meaning it’s perfect to use for nap time when you want to keep an eye on your little one. The bassinet is breathable, and the side windows help allow air to circulate.
The cradle comes with fully removable covers, which means it is easy to keep clean. It also features a rocking stand which allows the cradle to gently sway to help babies relax. There is also a mattress included, which is just the right firmness for young babies. The mattress has its own washable cotton sheet cover too, so everything is easy to clean. This bassinet is ideal for parents who will be traveling with it often – everything comes apart for easy transport and there is a handy carry bag also included.
Fisher Price Stow N Go Bassinet
This lightweight bassinet is ideal for parents who are looking for a practical place for their baby to sleep, which doesn’t cost a fortune. It features mesh sides for improved breathability, and there is also the option to have the crib vibrate to help soothe young babies.
The portable bassinet is easy to assemble, making it perfect for traveling. There is a handy storage and carry bag included too, which means all the parts can be kept together during transit. The Fisher Price portable bassinet comes with a mattress pad which can be put in the washing machine for easy cleaning. Overall, it is great for parents who often travel, or who are looking for a simple bassinet for everyday use at home.
Green Frog Allegro Cradle
This wooden baby cradle has a beautiful, contemporary design which would look great in any modern nursery. The cradle can be rocked side to side, but there’s also the option to stabilize it if your baby prefers to remain stationary.
Pali Designs Isabella Moses Basket
This Moses basket with stand is the ideal choice for parents looking for a more traditional-looking place for their little one to sleep. It comes with a stand which allows the cradle to be rocked, and there are also four wheels which allow it to easily be moved from one room of the house to another. The bassinet basket comes in choice of colors making it ideal for both boys or girls, or choose something more neutral if you plan to use it for more than one child in the future. The Moses basket stand also comes in a choice of two colors – either white or natural wood.
The Moses bassinet liner is made from 100% cotton, so it’s comfortable and safe for baby to use. There is also a moisture-resistant fleece backing, so it’s easy to keep clean. The Moses basket also includes a mattress pad with cover, which can also easily be washed and cleaned. The sleeping area is a little larger than that of some other Moses baskets, so your baby will be comfortable until they are able to push themselves up, at which point it is no longer safe to use a bassinet.
Our Favorite Baby Bassinet
The Allegro is one of the best cradles for newborn babies. It looks beautiful and is sure to last for years to come. It can be swayed side to side to help baby drift off to sleep, or it can remain still. The space inside is large enough for baby to stretch out and get comfortable, even after a few months. Overall, it is a great choice for parents looking for something long-lasting and stylish.
