9 Things to Know When Buying a Co-Sleeper Bassinet

Many parents have considered using co-sleeper bassinets with their new babies. If you are expecting a child, you may feel the same way. You probably want to make sure that you do all the right things.

From choosing the best diapers to the best furniture, you want to spare no cost and provide only the finest comforts in life. While those are fantastic goals, not everyone has the cash flow of Beyoncé and Jay-Z. Since not everyone is a music mogul, you will often be looking for the best value for the products that you choose.

Choosing a co-sleeper bassinet may feel like a challenging decision. While it is important, your baby will not sleep in it forever, so it is okay to relax a little. We are here to help you make the best decisions. If you aren’t even sure where to start, here is some information that you need before beginning.

Also, you will find our list of nine things to consider when buying a co-sleeper bed. 

What Is the Difference Between a Co-sleeper and a Regular Bassinet?

A co-sleeper bassinet is one that attaches to the side of the bed to give your baby a safe way to sleep with you. Sometimes the co-sleeper bedside bassinet has four complete sides, but many times, one of the sides has a cut-out where the bassinet attaches to the side of the bed. This cut-out space allows the parent to easily reach the baby when necessary, but the baby remains in the bassinet. There are many advantages to using a bassinet that will enable co-sleeping. 

What Are the Benefits of a Co-Sleeper Crib?

There are many benefits that parents feel comes with a co-sleeper bassinet. The most significant advantage is probably that it is safer than sleeping with the baby in the bed.

Co-sleeping is a bit controversial as some people do not want to co-sleep and feel the baby should sleep in his or her own space from the while others wish to foster a closer bond. Whatever your feelings are on the subject, you should be comfortable in your decisions.

Many parents feel that co-sleeping allows them to get better rest at night, knowing that they can quickly assist their baby in the middle of the night. Sleeping with the baby in the bed has been cited as a SIDS risk. Parents can roll onto the baby, causing him or her to suffocate, and parents’ bedding is often too plush for the baby.

A co-sleeper bedside crib allows the baby to sleep in a safe environment while allowing the parents to feel closer and more readily available to assist should the baby need something during the night. 

Are Co-Sleeper Beds Worth It?

The value of a co-sleeper bed is dependent on the parents. Many parents say that it gives them peace of mind, which makes it invaluable.

However, it is a piece of equipment that will only be used for a short time. Babies should not sleep in bassinets once they reach 25 pounds and are mobile. If your baby can raise and move at all, a co-sleeper crib becomes more dangerous as he or she can fall out.

Yet, for the first few weeks at home, it may provide parents with peace of mind, ease of access, and more rest as they will not get out of bed to check on the baby. This allows mom time to get back to sleep more quickly after 3 am feedings. 

Is A Co-Sleeper Bassinet Safe?

A co-sleeper bassinet is much safer than sleeping with the baby in the bed. There are some things to consider with safety when purchasing a co-sleeper, but those will be discussed shortly. If you choose a quality co-sleeper bed, your baby will be safe and secure. 

What Are the Cons of a Co-Sleeper Crib?

A co-sleeper does mean that the baby is very close to the bed. If you need to get up in the middle of the night, it can be more challenging to maneuver around the co-sleeper crib. Many people feel that it does not promote independent sleeping by the baby. However, parents have been co-sleeping since the beginning of time, and evidence is conflicting as to whether or not it actually causes long term complications. This is a much safer method than putting the baby directly into bed with you. 

9 Things to Know When Choosing the Best Co-Sleeper Crib

Choosing a co-sleeper bassinet is like choosing other baby gear. Each parent must select the one that is best for them. Examine anything that you choose for your baby in person, if possible. We have nine things that you should think about when you make that decision.

1. Safety

There are a few safety features you will want to make sure are available when choosing a co-sleeper bed. First, you want to make sure that the sides are ventilated in some way. A wooden co-sleeper may have sides like a crib. You will want to make sure that those sides adhere to the same safety standards that all cribs do. Others come with mesh sides like a portable play yard. In this case, you will want to make sure that the mesh is in good condition and does not get any rips or tears. Also, make sure that it is not easy for your baby to roll and slip between the co-sleeper crib and mattresses. Most co-sleeper bed injuries occurred from this type of accident. Mattresses also need to be firm and secure in the bedside bassinet. Bassinet mattresses are not standard sizes, so you will want to purchase the appropriate mattress for your equipment and ensure the sheets you choose fit properly. Loose or ill-fitting sheets can be a safety hazard. 

2. Convenient 

If your bassinet is inconvenient, you will not find it valuable. Make sure that it is easy to reach the baby when you need to do so but quickly moved when you need to get out of bed. If you feel that it is cumbersome, in the way, or otherwise inconvenient, you will be less likely to use it. You may also want to make sure that it is portable. You may want to be able to take it with you if you go on vacation, visit relatives, or simply move it to the other side of the bed for a night. If it is difficult to move, pack, or adjust, you will likely become unhappy very quickly. 

3. Stable 

Co-sleeper cribs have many styles of bases, but they need to feel sturdy. If you think it is going to tip over whenever the baby is on one side or the other or if you scoot it a few inches, you will be less likely to feel safe using it. If it does tip easily, this is a significant safety concern. Whenever possible, view these in the store first to see how much they wobble or feel unsteady. 

4. Proper Height

Make sure that your co-sleeper will adjust to the correct height for your bed. It seems that every bed you buy is a different height. Some frames sit higher or lower, and mattresses come in different thicknesses as well. Make sure that whatever you choose, the height of the co-sleeper is comfortable for accessing your baby. This also means that you will want to be able to easily see your baby from the open side. 

5. Cost/ Value

The cost/ value debate for all baby gear is personal, but you must consider the price versus your budget. This is a short-term piece of equipment. While a crib is also temporary, some cribs convert to toddler beds and even twin- or full-size beds. A co-sleeper does not have that versatility. You will want to purchase a quality bedside bassinet, but it is not necessary to spend hundreds of dollars. Most co-sleeper cribs are less than $200 at major US retailers. 

6. Comfort features

Probably the most crucial comfort feature is the bassinet rocks or allows you to gently soothe your baby back to sleep if he or she wakes momentarily. You also want to make sure that the bassinet is not too small or cramped inside. You will not need extra bedding, as babies do not need blankets, pillows, or stuffed animals in their sleeping space.

7. Durability 

Much like stability, you will want to make sure that the co-sleeper is durable. You do not want sides that easily tear, screws that come loose or paint that chips. A flimsy, poorly manufactured co-sleeper will pose safety concerns and risks. 

8. Easy Maintenance

Let’s face it, babies seem to leak from everywhere. Spitting up and diaper mishaps happen, sometimes in the middle of the night. You will want to make sure that you can get an adequate number of sheets and that a leak here or there does not ruin the sleeper for the night. If the mattress material holds in moisture, you cannot just change the sheet. Most manufacturers know this, but you need to make sure that you are choosing quality materials. You also want to make sure that if you need or want additional sheets, they are easily purchased. Screws or fasteners may occasionally need to be tightened, so they should be easy enough to access without having to contort into uncomfortable positions. 

9. Easy to clean

Like easy maintenance, you will want to make sure that your co-sleeper is easy for you to clean. As we said, mishaps happen. Cloth sides should be easily wiped down and cleaned. Wooden sides should be finished so that you can easily wipe them down as well. Fancy exteriors with crevices and folds will likely just frustrate you if your baby has an upset stomach one night. Unfortunately, babies of all ages may experience projectile vomiting. You want to make sure that it can be cleaned up easily. 

Final Thoughts

Choosing a co-sleeper is a personal choice. We have provided some thoughts and suggestions on how to make your decision, but the decision is yours. Let us know if you have used a co-sleeper. What do you like? Do you guys have a favorite?