The Best Bedside Bassinets for Newborn Babies
Getting ready for baby’s arrival? From nursery gliders and carriers to baby bouncers and white noise machines, the long list of “must-have” baby gear can be overwhelming. One item you do need? A safe sleep space for baby. While a crib is a good long-term investment, a bedside bassinet is a convenient option for the newborn stage. The best bedside bassinets keep baby safely ensconced in their own sleep zone, but still within arm’s reach for nighttime feeds and snuggles. And unlike a large crib, bedside sleepers have a small footprint and special features, which make them the best choice for room-sharing.
Eager to learn more? Keep reading to discover everything you need to know about bedside bassinets—plus, browse our picks of the best options to keep baby safely snoozing at your side.
In this article:
What is a bedside bassinet?
Are bedside bassinets safe?
How long can baby sleep in a bedside bassinet?
Benefits of a bedside bassinet
The best bedside bassinets
A bedside bassinet is a small enclosed sleep space for infants. Unlike a bedside sleeper, which has one open-side that attaches to a bed, a bassinet is a standalone piece of furniture. Some bedside bassinets are designed with a base that slots underneath your bed or a swivel feature that allows you to keep baby at eye-level. Other options feature drop-down panels or lowering sidewalls that make it easier to remove baby for nighttime feeding sessions.
“Bedside bassinets are safe as long as they meet Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) regulations,” says Alexis Philips, DO, a pediatrician at Memorial Hermann Medical Group Pediatrics in Atascocita, Texas. Bassinets and bedside sleepers are subject to strict safety standards. Per the CPSC, they must have:
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A limit on the paint and surface coating
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Fabric-sided enclosed openings to prevent entrapment and suffocation hazards
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A minimum height on lowered side wall
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Compliance with fundamental safety requirements for sleep environments, such as protection against unintentional folding, no small parts or sharp edges
Bedside bassinets vs. bedside sleepers
It’s important to note that bedside sleepers with a side walls that can be opened or lowered should be used with caution. Jillian Thistel, a certified pediatric sleep consultant and founder of Twinkling Stars Pediatric Sleep Consulting in Ontario, Canada, says there are specific safety hazards associated with this type of product, such as the potential for baby to get trapped between the gap of the sleeper and the bed, the possibility of falls and the risk of suffocation. If parents choose to use a bedside sleeper, Thistel recommends taking the following precautions to reduce the risks outlined above:
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Check that the product meets CPSC safety standards
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Follow assembly instructions to the letter
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Adhere to height and weight guidelines for use
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Do not use loose bedding—blankets, pillows, toys or crib bumpers—in baby’s sleep space
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For traditional bedside sleepers, keep the drop-down wall in an upright position when it’s attached to your bed
On the other hand, a fully enclosed bedside bassinet is a safer bet, but it still gives you easy access to baby. However, if your bedside bassinet has a drop-down panel, Thistel advises that it remains fully up when baby is sleeping for safety reasons.
Bedside bassinets can be used from birth, but infants may outgrow them quickly. According to Philips, it’s best to transition baby to a crib once they’ve started to roll over, surpassed the weight limit or start to physically outgrow the bassinet. All children are different, but infants typically begin to roll over at the four-month mark. Thistel also advises parents to check the height and weight recommendations on each specific bassinet to determine how long their child can use it for.
The main benefit of a bedside bassinet is that it enables room-sharing. Updated guidelines from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommend that parents sleep in the same room—but never in the same bed or on the same surface—as baby for at least six months. Room-sharing makes it easier for parents to feed, comfort and monitor baby—and, according to Philips, it actually reduces the risk of SIDS by up to 50 percent. Bedside bassinets facilitate room-sharing, as they don’t take up much room and are easy to maneuver in tight spaces.
Now that you’ve got the basics, here are six bedside bassinets that are safe and convenient.
Best bedside bassinet with a removable base
First up on our list of the best bedside bassinets is the Halo BassiNest Swivel Sleeper 3.0. The updated version has the same great features as the original—mesh sides for visibility and airflow, a lowering wall that can be pushed down for quick access to baby and a 360-degree swivel function—with one key difference: The new and improved version has a detachable bassinet, meaning you can easily transport it from room to room, so your little one can safely nap in peace anywhere and everywhere. It also features a sleeker silhouette with a base that’s over 30 percent lighter, but is just as sturdy as the original and easily slots underneath a bed. Looking for a bassinet with smart features? Halo’s luxe model boasts a nightlight, white noise and soothing vibration.
- Rotates 360 degrees
- Removable bassinet
- Breathable mesh walls
- CPSC compliant
- Assembly required
Dimensions: 47″ width x 44.5″ height
Weight: 22.6 lbs.
Best bedside bassinet with swaying motion
Gentle motion—like rocking or swaying—can help soothe infants back to sleep. But bouncing baby in your arms is hard work, especially when you’re coming off the back of a few sleepless nights. Fortunately, Graco’s DreamMore Bedside Bassinet is here to help. Designed with a manual sway motion, this bassinet has a built-in handle that lets you control the speed and rhythm of movement. Better yet, the height can be adjusted so that it rests over your bed and the bassinet rests on gliding legs that allow you to pull baby even closer. It also has breathable mesh walls and the bassinet is removable.
- Manual swaying motion
- Nine adjustable height settings
- Base fits under the bed
- CPSC compliant
- Difficult to source replacement mattress pads
- Assembly required
Dimensions: 29.30″ width x 46.3″ height
Weight: 32.70 lbs.
Best affordable bedside bassinet
Next up on our list of the best bedside bassinets is this option by Simmons Kids. The Z-shaped frame has wheels that make it easy to slide the base under your bed, plus the height is adjustable so you can keep baby at eye level. Mesh panels improve airflow, and large pockets at either end are the perfect place to store binkies and muslin cloths. And at under $130, it’s an affordable option to boot.
- Five adjustable height settings
- Z-shaped frame slides under bed
- CPSC compliant
- Wheels don’t roll over carpet
- Assembly required
Dimensions: 31″ length x 19.5″ width x 41.5″ height
Weight: 19.18 lbs.
Best two-in-one bedside bassinet
Looking for a versatile option? This model by Skip Hop can be used as a bedside sleeper or as a standalone bassinet. In bedside mode, security straps attach it to the bed and a sliding door panel gives parents easy access to baby. In bassinet mode, baby is safely confined in a separate sleep space, but mesh sides ensure that you can see them at all times. It also has adjustable height options and lockable wheels on the base make it easy to move around the house.
- Drop-down panel for quick access
- Eight adjustable height settings
- CPSC compliant
- Difficult to source replacement crib sheets
- Assembly required
Dimensions: 34.1″ width x 25.75″ height
Weight: 24 lbs.
Best bedside bassinet and changing table
Bassinets have a limited shelf life, as baby will quickly outgrow their first sleep space. But you’ll get your money's worth with this pick by Chicco, as it can be used as a bedside bassinet and a changing table for infants weighing up to 35 pounds. This practical option has swivel wheels, mesh side panels and a range of height adjustment, which all allow baby to be as close as possible while still in their own sleep space. It glides over the bed and has a hand brake to prevent the bassinet from rolling. Plus, soothing melodies and vibrations provide a restful, cozy environment. Time for a diaper change? Simply flip the mattress over to the waterproof changing pad and lower the bassinet walls for easy access while in use as a changing station. Genius!
- Plays music and vibrates
- Swivels over the bed
- Doubles as a changing table
- CPSC compliant
- High price point
- Crib sheet sold separately
- Assembly required
Dimensions: 33.5" length x 28" width x 46" height
Weight: 33 lbs.
Best breathable bedside bassinet
Newton makes the best crib mattresses in the game, but did you know the brand makes nursery furniture too? The bassinet doubles as a bedside sleeper, and utilizes the same patented Wovenaire technology as Newton’s award-winning mattress. The firm sleep-surface is completely washable from cover to core, and promotes healthy air-circulation. It has eight adjustable height settings and a sturdy beechwood base.
- 100-night free trial
- All of the fabric is washable—including the crib mattress
- It can be used as a bedside sleeper or a standalone bassinet
- Limited reviews
- Newton doesn’t sell spare crib sheets for this bassinet
- Assembly required
Dimensions: 41.5" width x 22" height
Weight: 22 lbs.
About the experts:
Alexis Phillips, DO, is a pediatrician at Memorial Hermann Medical Group Pediatrics in Atascocita, Texas. She earned her medical degree at Ohio University College of Osteopathic Medicine in Athens.
Jillian Thistel, is a certified pediatric sleep consultant in the Greater Toronto Area in Ontario, Canada. She is a member of the Association of Professional Sleep Consultants and founder of Twinkling Stars Pediatric Sleep Consulting.
Please note: The Bump and the materials and information it contains are not intended to, and do not constitute, medical or other health advice or diagnosis and should not be used as such. You should always consult with a qualified physician or health professional about your specific circumstances.
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