Bassinet vs. Crib: Which is Better for Your Baby?

Parents sometimes find it challenging to make the right decision on where their baby should sleep. So what would be best for them to sleep on? Which is the ideal between bassinet vs. crib?

Welcoming a new baby is exciting, although many preparations are needed for the baby’s comfort. The most crucial factor is the sleeping arrangements since infants spend most of their time sleeping.

A proper sleeping area for daytime naps and nighttime sleep is essential for the baby’s overall health. While considering why bassinet vs. crib, it is necessary to note that both are ideal for a baby, but choosing between the two can be challenging.

When making the decision on where your child should be sleeping, it is best to monitor your baby’s preference. Some of the things to consider are how a child sleeps, the amount of time they spend sleeping, and how comfortable they seem.

Furthermore, you should consider the things that a baby needs for good sleep. Sleep is a crucial component in the growth process of a child. So, that is one significant aspect to consider while you are still debating between bassinet vs. crib for newborns.

So let’s begin by highlighting the necessities for a baby to sleep comfortably.

Necessities for a Baby to Sleep Comfortably

There are crucial points to take note of while handling babies.

It is much easier when they are on your arms because you can place them at the right angle and sway them comfortable to sleep. Nonetheless, the transition from the comfort of your arms to the ‘baby’s bed’ is critical.

So what are some of the things that a baby needs for sound sleep?

1. Follow a calming and consistent bedtime routine

Avoid any over-stimulation in the evening as it might affect the baby’s sleep. Try cuddling, playing quiet music, bathing, singing, or reading to induce sleep. Use these tricks before your baby is overtired for them to work effectively.

2. Give your baby time to settle down

Your baby should cry or fuss before they find a comfortable position to sleep. If the crying persists, you might want to check up on him or her and comfort the baby. The reassurance of your presence before they sleep is essential.

3. Keep nighttime care low-key

If your baby needs to feed or care at night, use calm movements, dim lights, and a soft voice. This will automatically register in their mind that it is time to sleep.

4. Put your baby to sleep while awake but drowsy

This tip helps your baby to relate bed with sleeping. You should clear any blankets or soft material from the bassinet or crib for sleep. You should also lay the baby on his or her back, for it is the best position.

5. Opt for a pacifier

A pacifier helps in calming a baby that has trouble settling down. Research says that pacifiers help in reducing the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).

6. Respect your baby’s preferences

It is important to consider what your baby wants so that you can help them sleep better. If you have an early riser or stay up late, consider changing your routines to fit these patterns.

7. Develop a rhythm

A typical infant should go with 16 hours or more of sleep. However, it would be best if you came up with a rhythm to slide in some time for bonding and feeding in between the sleeping sessions.

8. Sleep in the same room with your baby

Even though buying a bassinet or a crib is vital for your baby’s sleep, consider placing them in the same room. The presence of a parent offers security to the baby and reduces the risks of SIDS.

With the correct information on how you should put your baby to sleep, it is crucial to consider where they’ll be sleeping. Unlike the typical beds that adults sleep on, babies need a more comfortable bed to get good sleep.

So which is better between bassinet vs. crib? What is the bassinet vs. crib definition? To answer this question, we have put up several facts about each with a good recommendation.

Bassinet

A bassinet is an oval-shaped carrier with a comfortable mesh or clothing raised to an adult’s waistline or the bed. They are perfectly designed to accommodate babies from birth to about four months.

A bassinet is light, convenient, and easy to operate, especially if you want to multitask between taking care of your baby and handling other chores.

Bassinets have a fixed frame designed to accommodate sideways rocking to assist a newborn with safe sleep and keep him or her entertained. A bassinet can be made of wood, plastic, or metal, and the frame is attached to a set of fixed legs.

Benefits of a Bassinet

Some of the advantages of opting for a bassinet include;

• Portable – Bassinets are easy to carry around, lightweight and foldable. They allow you to carry your baby when you are meeting up with friends, doctor’s appointments, and from room to room in the house.

•  Affordable – The material used in making bassinets make them more affordable. They are also relatively small, which also makes them cheaper.

• Reduce the risk of SIDS – The portability of bassinets allows you to have your baby at arm’s length, and that parental presence reduced the risk of SIDS.

• Add-on features – Bassinets come with additional features such as a detachable storage system and a hood for shedding the baby from sunlight or extreme heat. Some might also have rocking features, light, and sound.

• Good transition – The baby is already used to a tiny womb, and putting him or her on a bassinet almost resembles that small space.

• Easy to use – Easier to lay your baby on a bassinet because there is an opening where you directly place your baby on it.

• Convenient – If you are wondering where to put a baby bassinet in the bedroom, you can easily share a room with your baby if you have a bassinet since its size makes it ideal even for small spaces.

Drawbacks of a Bassinet

The drawbacks of using a bassinet include;

• Weight limit – Due to their small size, a bassinet can only accommodate an infant to a baby of about four months.

• Less cost-effective – Bassinets have a less shelf life, making them ideal for parents looking for a long-term baby bed solution.

• Shorter lifespan – You can only use a bassinet for a baby with a particular weight. This makes it inconvenient for parents whose babies grow fast since you’ll have to look for another alternative.

Crib

A crib is a bed designed for a baby. It accommodates babies for up to three years old.

These cribs are rectangular, like a bed, although they do have safety walls for the safety of your baby. These walls are made of either metal or wood, and they follow a parallel pattern such that you can see your baby through the gaps.

Cribs come with different features. Some include a rocking system that puts the baby to sleep, while others require you to rock the crib manually. Traditionally, cribs were made of hardwood, although you can now find ones made of aluminum or plastic.

Cribs are meant to be immovable, although some can be carried from one room to another.

Different Types of Cribs

There are different types of cribs that you can choose from depending on your looking features. Some of them include;

• Traditional crib – Also known as the standard crib, is rectangular and made of hardwood. These cribs are convertible and don’t have any other flexibility. It’s the best option for new parents.

• Mini-crib – This albeit rectangular-shaped crib is relatively smaller than the traditional one. It best fits a smaller space, although it still offers sufficient movement to your baby.

• Convertible crib – This is a rectangular crib, although it is flexible to changing its size when your baby grows bigger. It has the longest service life of any crib due to its flexibility feature. It is pretty expensive compared to the traditional and mini-cribs, but its service is worth the purchase.

• Round crib – The round shape allows your baby to play around with no risk of any sharp edges. Its uniqueness in style and design makes it the most expensive crib.

Pros & Cons of a Crib

Pros

Some of the advantages of a crib include;

• Convertible – Cribs have multi-functional use because of the convertible feature. It is one aspect that makes cribs more convenient and preferable. Convertibility allows you to reshape the crib into a bed when your baby grows.

• Attachable toys – A unique feature about cribs is that they offer a space to attach toys. This keeps your baby entertained as you go about your chores in the house.

• Lower investment cost – Considering the time you’ll use your crib, it is a worthwhile investment since it will last you for a couple of years before your baby qualifies to sleep in an adult bed.

Cons

The downside of having a crib includes;

• Large in size – Cribs are relatively large, and they require a bigger space for them to fit perfectly in a room. Sometimes you’ll have to put it in another room if you have a bigger bed, which keeps your baby far from you.

• High purchase price – The first-time purchase price is pretty higher, although it’ll be worth it in the long run.

• Challenging to move – Cribs are heavy, and they can’t be moved around easily. So if you want to keep an eye on your child, you have to position it at a convenient place.

Bassinet vs. Crib

The bassinet vs. crib debate is something that poses a significant challenge to parents expecting a baby. So what’s the difference? Which is the ideal between bassinet vs. crib?

Both bassinet vs. crib can be safe sleep choices for newborns. However, they have several important differences.

We have lined up a couple of differences between bassinet vs. crib to provide more clarity on either option. The bassinet and crib selections differ in;

• Price – Bassinet is less expensive compared to cribs. However, for long-term consideration, cribs are a relatively cheaper alternative.

• Comfort – Both bassinet or crib for sleep provides comfort for your baby. It all relies on which design and type of bassinet or crib that you buy. That will reflect on your baby’s preference.

• Convenience – Bassinets are more convenient because they are smaller and portable so that you can carry them around. Cribs are heavy and not portable.

• Durability – Cribs are more durable because they are made of hardwood and are meant to last. They are also convertible, so you can expand the size by adjusting them when your child grows. A bassinet is not that durable, and you’ll have to replace them.

• Timeline – A crib will serve you for a couple of years, but a bassinet will only go for months.

• Material – Bassinets are made of light materials, while cribs are made of hardwood or metal. However, this depends on the manufacturer because there are plastic cribs also available.

• Safety – It is safer to have your baby on a bassinet than a crib because you can close-monitor them as you do other things. Moreover, it is easier to place a baby on a bassinet than it is on a crib.

Which One is Better?

It is essential to consider your baby’s needs when debating between a bassinet or a crib.

The size of your baby will be the most significant factor since it will influence your choice. Nonetheless, you will also consider the expense to incur and the available space that you are working with.

These factors together with the benefit will dictate which one to choose between a bassinet and a crib.

Conclusion

It is crucial to make the right decision when deciding on what is the safest baby bassinet or what is the best portable crib.

The decision will affect the way you care for your baby and do the other chores and how comfortable your baby will sleep. Bassinet vs. crib safety is a significant factor to look out for when buying either.

Are you expecting a baby? Have you decided on bassinet vs. crib for your newborn? Leave a comment.