The most nerve-wrecking part of the journey as a parent starts when your little one arrives. With many types of furniture and baby items in the market these days, the laundry list gets longer and it can leave new parents overwhelmed.
The American Academy of Pediatrics suggests sharing a room with your infant for the first six months. Even then, you should make sure that you tot has their separate sleep surface – and that’s when a bassinet comes in handy.
For starters, bassinets provide a cozy, comfortable sleeping spot for your infant. Any model worth your attention should be portable and compact (but big enough to accommodate your child). The idea is to allow you to keep your toddler close as you carry on with your day to day duties.
Types of Bassinets
There are two variations of bassinets available on the market today. The classic model has a basket-shaped bed, mounted on a stand with two wheels. Some units have a detachable basket from the base. That way, you can fit the bed as per your specific needs.
Latest bassinets, on the other hand, are more versatile. In essence, this means that you can expand the purpose and function of the unit, such as converting it into a play yard. By extension, this allows you to use your bassinet as a playpen even when your baby is as heavy as 35 pounds.
Some play-style models also feature a diaper changing surface and storage compartment.
When Can You Use a Bassinet?
Bassinets are usable by young infants and newborns. In other words, your baby can no longer use a bassinet if he/she is rolling over and sitting up due to safety concerns. Typically, you can expect your young one to use a bassinet until he/she is about four months (even though some infants tend to use them a little bit longer).
Tip: be sure to check the weight capacity of your bassinet before buying.
Safety is Critical for Your Infant
A bassinet is incredibly convenient, whether you’re changing a diaper or feeding your baby in the middle of the night. And the beauty of it is that you can keep the unit next to your bed. That way, you don’t have to stumble through the dark to check up on your child.
The sides of a bassinet are relatively shorter, allowing you to pick your infant up and put him/her down without much effort. On top of that, you can monitor your baby down without leaving your bed.
It is essential to mention at this point that you should look for a bassinet that offers as much convenience as possible. Halo bassinets, for instance, are ideal for C-section moms. Further, make sure that the materials are high quality and robust, to guarantee your newborn’s safety in the bassinet.
What’s more? Repeated studies show that bassinets reduce the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) by up to 50%.
It Offers a Comfortable and Cozy Sleeping Place
There’s nothing more satisfying than watching your baby deep asleep, warm and cozy. And a bassinet will provide your little champ with all the coziness and comfort he/she requires for some quality shuteye.
See, a bassinet, by design is small, providing the cocoon feeling, enabling your child to fall asleep faster. Besides, most units come with a host of accessories for added comfort. And, unlike a crib, your infant will stay close to you all night, so he/she will not feel isolated.
It Helps Soothe Your Baby
One of the easiest ways to soothe your infant to sleep is if you notice problems such as crying in advance. Bassinets, at their very core, allow you to keep tabs with your little one, and by extension, enable you to make them sleep faster.
Latest models come with hanging toys and music to help soothe your child. Some have integrated vibrations and accessories to keep your newborn busy so that you can attend to other chores. Again, it is virtually impossible to soothe your tot in a large crib, even with vibration.
Moreover, research suggests that bassinets help reduce acid reflux in infants, thanks to their inclined design (babies love to sleep in this position).
Portable and Space Saving
One of the primary advantages of bassinets is that they are relatively smaller in comparison to cribs. Do you know what this means? Well, it implies that they’re an excellent choice if you don’t have a lot of space. Plus, you can assemble and disassemble your unit in a flash.
A bassinet features two wheels that enable you to move your baby from point A to B conveniently. Of course, this is not possible with a crib. Some models are portable for hassle-free traveling.
Tip: While bassinets are compact and portable, you should not use them as car seats – they will not provide safety when used this way.
Protection from Bugs and Light
Sure, you have to provide a comfortable, cozy place for your infant to sleep. You need to protect him/her from direct sunlight, bulb light, dust, and pets. So, consider fitting your infant’s bassinet with a canopy or hood to keep pets and other elements at bay.
The idea is to make sure that your baby enjoys uninterrupted sleep, day or night.
See? There is every reason to invest in a high-quality baby bassinet. In fact, any parent who cares about the wellbeing for their newborn should own one.
For starters, Click for our full range of bassinets
