Babies might not need as much as some would have you believe, but one true essential is something in which to sleep. If you're a new parent or it's been a while since you last had a baby to look after, you might be wondering about the difference between bassinets and cribs and which is best for you and your baby.
Bassinets are small and convenient for newborns as they easily fit at your bedside and the higher mattress level makes it easier to pick your baby up and put them down, while cribs are larger and will see babies through to toddlerhood.
Bassinets are small beds for babies. They often have mesh sides that are breathable and see-through, so you can easily keep an eye on your baby from bed without sitting up and peering over the top.
As newborns should sleep in the same room as their parents for the first 6 months of their lives, bassinets are ideal for this stage since they're more compact than cribs. Bassinets can range in price from approximately $50-$300. For more information, see the full guide to bassinets at BestReviews.
Maxi-Cosi Iora Bedside Bassinet
This sleek bedside bassinet has mesh all-around for ventilation and to see your baby easily. It adjusts to several different heights so you can tailor it to your needs.
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Graco My View 4 in Baby Bassinet
A bassinet that grows with your baby with a bottom portion you can use as a travel crib or playpen for toddlers. The sleeping area lifts off the base for traveling with or napping in different spots.
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Arm's Reach Cambria Co-Sleeper Bassinet
This co-sleeper bassinet makes it easier for parents to feed, check on and change their infants in the night, resulting in better sleep quality. You can use it as a standard bassinet with the sides up.
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Cribs are beds for babies with a mattress close to the crib’s base and tall wooden slats around the outside. Cribs are safer and more stable than bassinets for bigger babies and young toddlers who can sit and stand, though you can use it from birth.
Although bigger and bulkier than bassinets, you can use cribs. You will inevitably need a crib for your baby, even if you opt for a bassinet first. If you want more details, head to BestReviews for the full guide to baby cribs.
Graco Benton 4-in-1 Convertible Crib
This classic crib converts into a daybed, toddler bed and a full-size twin bed. It's solidly made and reasonably priced.
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Delta Children Heartland 4-in-1 Convertible Crib
Another basic crib that's well-priced for parents on a budget and is convertible into a toddler bed or twin bed, though you will need conversion kits sold separately.
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Babyletto Hudson 3-in-1 Convertible Crib
Parents looking for something slightly different will love the stylish contemporary appearance of this crib. It's made from solid New Zealand pine and is Greenguard gold certified for low chemical emissions.
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It's not a case of whether you should buy a bassinet or a crib. You’ll need to decide if you should buy a bassinet for your newborn and a crib when they get older or just buy a crib and use it from day one. There's no denying that bassinets are more convenient for newborns than cribs, but some parents balk at the prospect of paying as much as $300 for something they'll only use for 4-6 months.
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Lauren Corona writes for BestReviews. BestReviews has helped millions of consumers simplify their purchasing decisions, saving them time and money.