This is because a bassinet is a safe sleep space that has gone through rigorous testing to ensure that babies sleep safely.
Bassinets are an ideal sleep space for newborns as they are smaller and more compact, which can mimic the closeness that they felt while in utero.
They’re also easier for the parent to tend to the child during the night, which is best for newborns who tend to wake up more frequently than older children.
However, a common issue with bassinets is that babies tend to grow out of them too quickly. You’ll spend hundreds of dollars on a bassinet, only for your baby to grow beyond the weight limit within just two months!
Most parents want their babies to stay in their room for the first six months of their lives, but low bassinet weight limits often don’t allow this to happen.
To keep your baby as close to you as possible, we have compiled a list of the most popular bassinets on the market as well as their weight limits.
Why Choose A Bassinet?
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends that babies should be placed in a bassinet from birth until they reach at least three months old.
This is due to the fact that bassinets can fit into parents’ bedrooms easier than cots can, and there is research to suggest that room-sharing can reduce the risk of SIDS within the first six months.
This recommendation comes from years of research into infant safety, as well as how bassinets are designed to help promote proper sleeping patterns. Some come with sleep aids such as the ability to rock, shush, or sing the baby to sleep.
However, many parents see the price tag of a bassinet and automatically think that they’re getting a better deal than if they were to purchase a cot.
However, as a cot can last from birth to around 3 years old and a bassinet often only lasts for a matter of months, the cot is often the better value for money.
Use us as an example! Our son outgrew the height and weight limit of his bassinet within just one and a half months! Then we had to spend extra on a cot – all because we didn’t check the weight limits on the bassinet!
What Is A Bassinet Weight Limit?
When it comes to choosing a bassinet, you need to make sure that you choose something that will suit your needs.
A weight limit is a maximum weight that your baby can safely sleep in their bassinet before having to switch to another sleeping space with a larger weight limit.
For example, if a bassinet has a weight limit of only 10 pounds, a baby might only be able to sleep in it for a matter of weeks!
On the other hand, some bassinets are able to hold much more weight and therefore can be used for longer periods of time.
When considering the weight limit of a potential bassinet, it’s important to check the manual or description to see the actual weight limit.
Many people have made the mistake of looking at a sturdy-looking bassinet that looks like it should be able to hold much more weight than it does, but actually only holds up to 12 pounds.
Similarly, a lightweight-looking bassinet might surprise you and be able to hold much more weight than you originally imagined. So, it’s always important to check the actual weight limit of a bassinet before purchasing it to avoid disappointment!
Most Popular Bassinets And Their Weight Limits
Here is a quick list of all of the popular bassinets and their weight limits, as well as how much they weigh.
Most expectant parents don’t realize this, but you will be moving your bassinet around a lot more than you originally expected!
So, knowing the weight of the bassinet is important. It’s also interesting to see these two numbers next to one another to note that it’s not always the case that a heavier bassinet equates to a higher weight limit.
Now we have our list of the most popular bassinets, as well as a quick description of them and their weight limit. If you’ve been bassinet shopping for a while now, chances are that you will have come across some of these already.
If you’ve seen an attractive weight limit in the table above, hopefully, this section should let you know whether the bassinet would be a good fit for you and your baby.
The Uppababy Bassinet is a very popular choice among many new parents. This bassinet is easy to assemble and disassemble, making it perfect for travel. It features a swiveling base so that it can be placed anywhere in the room.
It’s recommended that babies under 20 lbs use the Uppababy Bassinet. However, once your child reaches 20 lbs, you’ll want to move them into a bigger bassinet.
This bassinet is actually able to attach to an UPPAbaby stroller base, converting the bassinet to a pram. The shade is UPF 50, ensuring that your child is comfortable and protected while out and about.
The Guava Lotus Bassinet is a great option for smaller rooms where space is limited. The bassinet is designed to accommodate children from birth through to 18 pounds.
You can move this bassinet around the house very easily.
Guava Lotus has a gold standard certification, meaning that the sleep space is the best quality that you can find on the market.
You can use this bassinet as a travel cot as well as it is so lightweight and portable.
The Halo Swivel Bassinet is a compact, yet spacious bassinet. It’s made with safety in mind, as it comes with a mesh surrounding wall that offers excellent breathability.
This means that your child is safe from falling or from the bassinet.
The weight limit is 30 pounds, making this another great option for people wanting to get the most out of their bassinet. This is a heavy bassinet as it ranges between 40 to 50 pounds!
A great feature of this bassinet is that you can swivel it around 360 degrees so that you can move the bassinet right over your bed.
This is a unique feature that no other bassinet has, so if you feel like this might be of use to you, go for the Halo Swivel!
The Fisher Price Rock n Play is a classic and highly popular choice. This bassinet is suitable for newborns up to approximately 25 pounds.
You can place this bassinet almost anywhere in the room, thanks to its compact size.
It comes with a canopy and footboard, which makes it ideal for sleeping at night. It is also inclined which is good for babies who have medical conditions such as reflux.
The AAP suggests that you never allow your baby to sleep in a swing unattended, so this Rock n Play would be best for daytime use only.
This is due to the fact that babies can roll out of the swing, even if they are strapped in.
You can get the Chicco bassinet in four different models – portable bassinet, deluxe bassinet, nest bassinet, and primo bassinet. All of these weigh between 15 and 18 pounds. All of them have a weight limit of 20 pounds.
This bassinet is made with lightweight materials and breathable mesh. It is also durable and sturdy so you feel safe leaving your baby in it while they sleep.
We are big fans of this bassinet as it is reliable, comfortable, and has a decently high weight limit.
The SwaddleMe Bassinet is another great choice for small spaces or when traveling. It weighs just over 16 pounds and is suitable for babies up to 17.5 lbs.
This bassinet has a unique design that allows it to fold flat when not in use. This means that you don’t need to worry about taking up too much space when it isn’t being used.
You can also use this bassinet at an incline which is good for babies suffering from reflux. It can be positioned between 11 and 30 degrees for a safe but helpful feature.
You can also use this bassinet on the bed next to you to safely co-sleep.
The Arms Reach co-sleeper has the best weight limit on this list at between 30 and 40 pounds!
That will allow your baby to sleep in it until they are between 14 and 16 months old. Bear in mind that this age might alter slightly depending on the weight of your baby.
This is a comfortable and secure bassinet that allows you to co-sleep with your baby, while both still having your own space. You can attach this bassinet to any bed with a height of 24 inches.
Overall, we think that this is an excellent bassinet for longevity. If you’re hoping to keep your baby sleeping in your room for longer, then this is a great option for you.
The Graco Dream Suite Bassinet is one of our favorite choices for a bassinet because it’s affordable and easy to assemble.
It is suitable for babies weighing up to 30 pounds. Again, this is one of the highest weight limits on our list and therefore is a great option for anyone hoping to keep their baby within their bedroom for longer.
This bassinet is a great tool for first-time parents as it is much more than just a bassinet. Instead, it allows you to change diapers within thanks to the waterproof and washable cover.
You can also wheel this bassinet around which helps when you need to take your baby from room to room while busy.
There is also a vibration feature that can mimic the motion of rocking. This helps to soothe your baby to sleep, which is a great feature to give the parents a much-needed breather.
The 4Moms playard bassinet is the perfect solution if you want something extra special for your little one. It comes with everything you need to make sure your baby sleeps comfortably.
The bassinet includes a mattress pad, canopy, and even a changing table. All these features are included in one convenient package.
This basset is ideal for babies who weigh less than 18 pounds as it only weighs 23 pounds. However, if your baby is larger than 18 pounds, you don’t have to worry.
You can take the bassinet compartment off and use the below playard as their new bed. When using the playard, the new weight limit is 30 pounds.
This playard is a lovely design and comes with a travel bag to take with you anywhere. It works as a lovely travel cot as well as your usual bassinet at home. In terms of value for money, this is an excellent purchase.
If you’re looking for a portable bassinet, then the Graco pack n play bassinet is a great choice. It folds down into a compact size and takes up very little space. This means that it is easy to store away or move around your house.
It is suitable for babies weighing up to 30 pounds. This makes it a good option for those who want their bassinet to last for a long time.
There are three parts to this baby bed – the bassinet, changing table, and the playard. The bassinet has a weight limit of 15 pounds and the playard has a maximum weight of 30 pounds.
The changing table and bassinet can be taken off and stored away once you no longer need them, but they are very helpful for newborn life.
In addition to being lightweight, this bassinet is also extremely durable. It has been tested by the Consumer Product Safety Commission and passed all tests.
It has also received multiple awards for its quality. Overall, we think that this product will be a wonderful investment for years to come.
The Fisher-Price soothing motion bassinet is another great option for a portable bassinet. It is made out of sturdy steel and features a soft fabric lining.
This bassinet is designed to help calm your baby when they wake up during the night. It vibrates gently and mimics the movement of a mother’s heartbeat.
When used with the included mattress pad, your baby will feel like they are sleeping on a cloud. They’ll fall asleep quickly and stay asleep for hours.
If you choose not to use the mattress pad, then your baby will still enjoy the benefits of soothing vibrations.
This bassinet is suitable for babies weighing up to 20 pounds. It is made from durable materials with mesh sides for great breathability. We are big fans of this bassinet thanks to its vibrations and music!
Delta is known for making high-quality products. Their bassinets are some of the best available on the market today.
This particular model is a stylish bassinet that looks just like a regular crib. It is made from premium materials and comes with a matching canopy.
It is designed to fit most standard rooms and is suitable for babies weighing up to 15 pounds. This is a great option if you want a more traditional-looking bassinet.
Thanks to the light weight of 10.6 pounds, it is also a dream to move around the house to any room where you need it.
Again, this is a very comfortable bed that comes with a small night light and preloaded lullabies to soothe your baby to sleep. The lower price point is also a welcomed addition, as so many bassinets are expensive these days!
Dream On Me is one of our favorite brands because they make beautiful, well-designed products at affordable prices.
Their bassinet is a classic design that fits in with any nursery decor. It features a white finish and a simple shape.
It weighs about 14 pounds and is suitable for babies up to 25 pounds. This is a good choice for parents who don’t have much space or those who prefer something that doesn’t look too bulky.
We love that this bassinet comes with a canopy that reaches the entire way over the top of it. This is great for keeping bugs or animals out of the bassinet to keep your baby safe.
Even if you don’t think that your animal is dangerous to babies, you can never be too careful!
This basset includes an adjustable canopy and two side rails for safety. It is also equipped with a removable tray and storage basket.
You can easily clean this bassinet using soap and water. It is easy to assemble and disassemble, which makes moving it around the house easier than ever.
Average Weight Of Babies Depending On Their Age
It’s all well and good us saying that a bassinet is good for a number of pounds as its weight limit, but what does this actually mean?
How many months are you going to get out of a bassinet with a maximum weight limit of 20 pounds? Let’s find out now.
Here is a chart of average weights for babies by month. Bear in mind that some babies will weigh more than the ‘average’ amount for their age, while others will weigh less than the ‘average’.
Please be aware that just because your baby might be larger or smaller than their average weight for their age, there is nothing wrong with them or the way that you are parenting them.
Baby Age
Average Weight For Boys
Average Weight For Girls
Birth
3.5 kg (7.8lbs)
3.4 kg (7.8lbs)
1 month
4.4 kg (9.7lbs)
4.2 kg (7.8lbs)
2 months
5.2 kg (11.5lbs)
4.8 kg (10.5lbs)
3 months
6 kg (13.2lbs)
5.4 kg (12lbs)
4 months
6.7 kg (14.8lbs)
6.2 kg (13.7lbs)
5 months
7.4 kg (16.3lbs)
6.7 kg (14.7lbs)
6 months
7.9 kg (17.4lbs)
7.2 kg (15.8lbs)
7 months
8.4 kg (18.5lbs)
7.7 kg (17lbs)
8 months
8.9 kg (19.6lbs)
8.1 kg (18lbs)
9 months
9.3 kg (20.5lbs)
8.5 kg (18.7lbs)
10 months
9.7 kg (21.4lbs)
8.8 kg (19.4lbs)
11 months
10 kg (22lbs)
9.2 kg (20.3lbs)
12 months
10.3 kg (22.7lbs)
9.5 kg (21lbs)
Summary
So there we go, now you know how long each bassinet should last you when using it with your newborn.
If you want to use your bassinet for as long as possible and get the best value for money, then we suggest opting for one that has a maximum weight limit of between 20 and 40 pounds
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.
