Making sure that your baby is safe and comfortable when they sleep is extremely important, but where is the best place to settle them?
You may have heard lots of different opinions on bassinets and cribs and you may be uncertain about which one is best for your baby to sleep in.
Bassinets and cribs are both very similar, but they also have quite a few differences.
If you are unsure about which one is better for your baby to sleep in, you can find out more information about them both here to make the best decision for your baby.
This article will take you through the differences between a bassinet and a crib and how they are both unique.
You will be more informed about bassinets and cribs after reading this article so you can confidently settle your baby to ensure they are comfortable and safe when they are sleeping.
Bassinets And Cribs: The Basics
When choosing between a bassinet and a crib, the first thing you will realize is that they are very different in size.
A crib is a lot longer and larger than a bassinet as a crib has been designed to be used for more sleeping time than a bassinet.
A bassinet is a lot smaller and shorter as it is designed for a newborn baby.
You do not need to make your decision about choosing a bassinet or a crib just yet as there are more differences between the two that will help you choose which one your baby will sleep in first.
You can find out more about the differences between a bassinet and a crib below!
The Differences Between A Bassinet And A Crib
Both bassinets and cribs are designed for babies and young children to sleep in, but some parents are unsure which one to purchase for their child.
As they are both designed for a baby to have a comfortable night’s sleep, how are they different?
The Design
One of the main differences between a bassinet and a crib is how they are designed.
A bassinet has a small frame so your baby is nice and snug inside when they are sleeping.
The main aim of a bassinet is to comfort a baby when they are asleep outside their parents’ arms as the soft, small walls can imitate a hug.
While a bassinet is designed for a snug and comfortable fit for your baby, a crib has a lot more space inside.
A crib has wood or plastic walls with side bars, so your baby can see out of the crib.
The walls are also high enough so your baby cannot get out, meaning that it is safe and secure for them to be left alone.
When you are looking at bassinets, most manufacturers advise that a bassinet should be used until your baby is between 5 to 6 months old.
Although there can be age recommendations on the bassinet, you must move your baby out of the bassinet when you see that they start moving around a lot more.
If your baby is premature, it will take a little longer to grow than a baby who was not born prematurely.
However, if your baby is too big for the bassinet, there is a risk of suffocation as they won’t be able to move around.
Although age limits are a good guide, it is important to make sure that you use your judgment and move your baby to a crib when you feel like they are ready.
The age limit on a bassinet will not be right for every baby, but it is important to acknowledge the weight limit and move your baby to a crib when they reach that weight.
This means that a bassinet may not last you as long due to your baby growing quickly.
Not all cribs have a weight limit on them as they are often designed for children up to 3 years old.
However, some may have a weight limit so it is important to check just in case.
In summary, a crib will last you for longer as it is designed to be used longer than a bassinet.
Comfort
Providing your baby with a comfortable night’s sleep is incredibly important as you want them to feel safe and relaxed.
Due to this, a bassinet is one of the most comfortable places for your baby to sleep as it is safe and secure, and it also imitates a hug due to the snug fit.
As it is important for your baby to feel comfortable when they are sleeping, it is also essential for you to feel happy with where your baby is sleeping.
You can put a crib or bassinet by your bed to comfort both you and your baby as you will be able to keep a close eye on them during the night.
With a bassinet, you can readjust the height to match your bed, but you cannot do this with a crib.
Some bassinets aim to provide optimum comfort for your baby by vibrating, playing music, and shining a nightlight.
All of these things will be able to soothe your baby and help them to sleep more comfortably.
Not many crib manufacturers have these features, so you may find that your newborn baby sleeps a lot better in a bassinet as there are more soothing features and it is a more snug fit while they are not moving around as much.
In a bassinet, the mattress thickness is usually around 2 inches, providing comfort for your newborn. However, in a crib, the mattress thickness tends to be around 6 inches.
Both a bassinet and crib will be comfortable for your baby, and both mattress types are firm, as newborns should sleep only on a firm mattress without pillows and blankets.
Both a bassinet and crib are comfortable for your baby and will provide them with a good night’s sleep, but it depends how close you want to be to your child at night.
You can adjust the bassinet to your bed level to watch your baby and the soothing vibrations and music can calm them down.
Although you do not get this with a crib, this sleeping environment is much more spacious for your child to sleep in.
Safety
Making sure that your baby is safe when they are sleeping is incredibly important.
Both a bassinet and a crib are incredibly safe places for your baby to sleep as they adhere to strict regulations and standards, but you need to make sure that there are no soft toys that could cause your baby to suffocate, so it is important to remember to remove them from the bassinet or crib, especially if the toy is large.
When your baby is a newborn, they need to have extra care and support that isn’t provided by a crib.
This means that the bassinet will be safer for a baby as they will feel comforted, but it is important to remember that there comes a time when a bassinet isn’t the safest place for your baby to sleep anymore.
When your baby starts to stand up or move around a lot, that is when it is time to move them from a bassinet into a crib.
As the walls of a bassinet are soft and low, your baby could easily fall out if they have started moving, so it is important to move them into a crib where they cannot get out or injure themselves by standing up and climbing over the walls.
Therefore, as both bassinets and cribs are safe for your baby, all you have to do is to move them to the appropriate one when they are ready.
By moving your newborn out of a bassinet and into a crib at the right time, you will be keeping them safe and making sure that they are comfortable and safe where they are sleeping.
It is recommended that your baby uses a bassinet for the first few months before you move them into a crib as they are the safest places for them to sleep.
You will be helping your baby to feel secure with their surroundings and it will also help you to feel comfortable in the knowledge that your baby is safe and sound when they are asleep.
Easy To Use And Transport
One of the main differences between a bassinet and a crib is how easy they are to transport.
As a bassinet is smaller and lighter than a crib, it is a lot easier to move around and carry, especially as the material that is used to make a bassinet is naturally lighter and more portable than a crib.
When you go to move a crib around, it will be more difficult as the material is a lot denser and heavier than a bassinet.
Cribs are usually made from wood or metal, and even the cribs that are made out of plastic are still a lot heavier than a bassinet as they need to be durable.
Some smaller cribs are designed to be moved around as they have wheels on the bottom to make it easier to move between rooms.
However, this is also not always easy, especially if you have carpet or rugs in your home.
With a bassinet, you can easily pick it up and move it wherever you want without struggling.
If you are traveling with your newborn baby, taking a bassinet in the car will be a lot easier as most models can be folded down to a compact size, meaning that they won’t take up a lot of room in the car.
The crib won’t be able to fold down to a smaller size so it will be a lot more difficult to move around and store in the car.
To transport a crib, you would need to take the whole crib apart, which would be extremely time-consuming and impractical.
Once you got to your destination, you would need to put the crib back together again, whereas, with a bassinet, you would need to just unfold it.
This means that a bassinet is a lot easier to transport than a crib as it is very practical and easy to fold down.
It’s also much safer for babies who are being transported because there is less chance of them getting hurt or falling over as they can nap in the bassinet in the car, whereas they wouldn’t be able to in a crib.
Difference In Price
When you are purchasing both a bassinet and a crib, it is important to recognize that they are different in price.
As cribs can be used for a lot longer than bassinets, it is reflected in the price.
When looking at the price of the bassinet and the crib, it is important to also look at the cost of the accessories that you will need for each of them.
A supportive and high-quality bassinet can range in price from $50 to $150, meaning that they are suitable for parents with different budgets.
Bassinets are very affordable and you can look to spend however much you want on your bassinet to make sure that your baby is comfortable and soothed when they are sleeping.
When you are looking to buy a crib, you can expect to pay between $170 and $430 for a good crib.
If you are on a tight budget, there is also the option of having a second-hand crib.
You need to make sure that you can get all of the information necessary about the crib, but it is an affordable option for parents who are on a tight budget.
The extras for a bassinet and a crib can also cost more money, like the mattresses.
As the mattress for a crib is larger than a bassinet, it will be more expensive.
It is important to shop around to make sure that you can remain within your budget but still provide your baby with all the comfort that they need for a good night’s sleep.
The Choice Is Yours
It is recommended that your baby begins sleeping in a bassinet before they are moved into a crib, but some people prefer to allow their baby to sleep in a crib straight away.
The only important thing is making sure that your baby is safe, so you cannot leave your baby to sleep in a bassinet when they are too big for it as they may fall out.
It is important to make sure that your baby is comfortable when they sleep, so there are lots of different options to choose from.
Make sure that your baby is safe and secure when they are sleeping, so if you choose to start your baby in a bassinet, you need to move them to a crib at an appropriate time to keep them safe.
Recap: Bassinet Vs Crib
Now that you know the differences between bassinets and cribs, you can find them below for a quick recap.
If you are still unsure where you would prefer your baby to sleep, you can familiarize yourself with the differences between the two below.
The Design
Bassinet
A bassinet is designed to keep your baby snug and comfortable when they sleep so they feel like they are being hugged.
This will comfort them and help them to sleep better.
The walls of a bassinet are very soft to make sure that your baby is comfortable and warm inside.
Crib
A crib is designed for a baby to sleep in when they start to move around.
As the baby becomes older and can stand up, roll over, and pull themselves up, it is safer for them to be transferred into a crib where the walls are higher to stop them from falling out.
A crib is longer and has more room for your baby to move.
Comfort
Bassinet
A bassinet is very soothing for your baby as some models have vibrations, nightlights, and music playing from them to help your baby feel comforted.
These features can make it easier to settle your baby as they are much more relaxed inside the bassinet as they are warm, comfortable, and calm.
Crib
A crib does not have any of the same features as a bassinet, but it is still able to provide your baby with a good night’s sleep.
It might be more difficult to settle your newborn baby in a crib as it is very spacious, so your baby can become unsettled.
For a baby who is too big for a bassinet, a crib is more spacious and safe.
Safety
Bassinet
For a newborn baby, a bassinet is extremely safe as there is extra support in place to keep your baby comforted.
As a bassinet is typically only safe for a newborn baby, it is not safe once your baby starts moving around as they could fall out of the bassinet due to the short, soft walls.
Crib
A crib is very safe and secure for a baby to sleep in as the walls are high, so if your baby has just started moving around, a crib will keep them safe and stop them from injuring themselves.
They will be unable to climb the walls of the crib, so it is a protected environment for them to sleep in.
Easy To Transport
Bassinet
A bassinet is very easy to transport as you can fold it down so it is more compact to carry in your car.
It is made from a very soft and lightweight material, so you can easily fold it down to make sure that it doesn’t take up too much space when traveling and it isn’t heavy to hold.
Crib
A crib is very difficult to transport as it is made from heavier materials than a bassinet.
You are not able to fold down a crib, so you would need to take it apart to travel and put it back together again, which is not practical.
Price
Bassinet
As a bassinet is not designed to be used for a long time, it is cheaper, especially as the material is not as durable.
You will find that a bassinet is affordable for a wide range of budgets, so you can spend as much as you want to on one.
Crib
A crib is more expensive than a bassinet as it is heavier and more durable. It is often made from materials like metal and wood, which cost more.
Buying a brand new crib can be expensive, but you can buy second-hand cribs from good buyers to make sure that a good crib fits into your budget.
Final Thoughts
To conclude, there are many differences between a bassinet and a crib, but both are stable and sturdy options for your baby to sleep in.
They are both comfortable, but there are many differences between the two.
Knowing the differences between a bassinet and a crib will help you to decide what you want your baby to sleep in.
If you choose for your baby to start sleeping in a bassinet, you will need to move them into a crib when they become too big.
Keeping your baby in the bassinet when they are too big and moving around could cause them to become injured and uncomfortable, so you need to move them at the right time.
It is up to you whether your baby begins sleeping in a bassinet or crib, you just need to make sure that they are safe and comfortable when they are sleeping.
Both a bassinet and a crib are very safe places for your baby to sleep.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I Need To Buy A Bassinet And A Crib?
It is up to you whether your baby sleeps in a bassinet first and then a crib or just a crib, but there are advantages to using a bassinet first.
A bassinet helps your baby to feel comfortable as it is snug inside, meaning that they can sleep better as they are more calm and relaxed.
Using a crib for a newborn baby may see them feel more unsettled as they are very spacious.
Carly Link, a 33-year old mother of two toddlers. She is a parent and goes through a lot of the usual parenting difficulties herself. Carly shares all her experiences and knowledge about the best baby products through this blog.
