Bassinet vs. Crib: Which Is Best for Baby?
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he bassinet vs. crib debate is one of the first child-rearing decisions you’ll face as a new parent. Since newborns sleep an average of 12 to 16 hours a day, you’ll want to ensure your infant’s sleeping arrangement meets your safety, style, and comfort standards.1
No matter which option you choose, you can rest easy knowing your baby will be safe while they snooze.
With that, let’s explore the defining characteristics of both bassinets and cribs to help decide which will best support your baby’s needs.
Table of Contents
Cribs and Bassinets: The Basics Key Differences Between Bassinets and Cribs Size and Portability Safety Features Age Range Comfort and Support When to Use a Bassinet vs. a Crib Bassinets for Newborns Transitioning to a Crib Pros and Cons of Bassinets and Cribs Bassinets: Pros and Cons Cribs: Pros and Cons Making the Right Choice at the Right Time Bring Style and Comfort to Your Baby’s Bedtime with Posh Peanut
Cribs and Bassinets: The Basics
Let’s start with some definitions.
Since newborns require feeding and other care throughout the night, a bassinet is a small bed designed to be placed in the parents’ bedroom for the first few months of a baby’s life. Bassinets are portable and often made of lightweight materials such as wicker, wood, or plastic.
A crib is a piece of furniture with a mattress intended for babies and young children. It’s usually made from metal or wood and features high (often adjustable) sides to prevent the child from rolling out. A crib can be used for several years.
Key Differences Between Bassinets and Cribs
While both are perfectly suitable sleeping options, consider these differentiating factors before making your choice.
Size and Portability
A bassinet looks like a basket. It’s small and intentionally designed to be portable—whether you’re traveling across the country or from the bedroom to the living room. Some come with wheels to make transportation even easier. Though they’re designed to be portable, never move a bassinet while the baby is inside.
A crib is substantially larger and heavier than a bassinet. Once you set it up, it’s probably not going anywhere. This comes with several benefits: They’re sturdy and last for years. However, if your family is constantly on the go, or if you don’t have space in your home for a full-size crib yet, you may want to consider a bassinet.
Safety Features
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission approves both bassinets and cribs to ensure your baby’s safety. Both provide a firm, flat sleeping surface, essential for your infant to get a good night’s sleep.
Experts recommend that newborns sleep in the same room as their parents for the first six to 12 months.2 However, they shouldn’t sleep in bed with you—to prevent any accidents, they need their own sleep space.
Your baby will be safe while snuggled up in either option: Bassinets have no gap between the mattress and the sides, and cribs must meet the CPSC guidelines requiring no more than 1.5 inches between the crib mattress and its sides.3
In addition to using a safety-approved baby bassinet or crib, make sure you follow the American Academy of Pediatrics’ safe sleep guidelines to ensure your baby’s well-being during sleep:4
Put infants on their backs to sleep.
Use a crib or bassinet with a firm, flat mattress and a fitted crib sheet.
Keep loose blankets, pillows, and stuffed animals out of the sleeping area.
Do not allow infants to share sleeping space with another person.
Maintain the ideal temperature for a baby’s sleep space (between 68 and 72 degrees Fahrenheit).5
Age Range
Bassinets are usable only for the first few months of a baby’s life, as they typically have weight and size limits. These limits will vary from model to model, but they generally range from 10 to 20 pounds. Another sign that your little one is ready to transition out of the baby bassinet is when he or she learns how to roll over.
When they hit either of these benchmarks—typically between 2 and 4 months of age—it’s time to switch to something sturdier.
Cribs, on the other hand, can last for years. Some even convert into toddler beds for added longevity.
Comfort and Support
Both options are designed with the comfort of a newborn baby in mind, though cribs tend to be sturdier. If you have toddlers or pets running around, having a crib will reduce the likelihood of puppy kisses interrupting naptime.
The comfort of the parents and caregivers is a more relevant factor in the crib vs. bassinet decision. Since bassinets are lower to the ground, some may find it easier to take the newborn in and out of them—especially mothers who’ve had C-sections. That said, many cribs come with sides of adjustable height to suit the needs of both the newborn baby and the caregivers.
When to Use a Bassinet vs. a Crib
For many parents, a bassinet vs. a crib is not an either/or decision. Often, an infant will start sleeping in a bassinet and transition to a crib once they hit certain milestones.
Bassinets for Newborns
Once babies reach a certain weight limit or begin to roll over, they won’t be able to sleep in a bassinet. When purchasing one, remember that you’ll only use it for a few months before moving on to a crib.
Buying a bassinet for your baby’s first months offers many benefits. Room-sharing is highly encouraged for at least the first six months, but the American Academy of Pediatrics does not recommend bed-sharing.6 A bedside bassinet will provide your baby with a safe, comfortable place to sleep close to you.
You can also place a crib in your bedroom, though you must consider your space constraints and eventual nursery transitions.
Transitioning to a Crib
Eventually, it will be time to transition your little one from a bassinet to a crib.
There are a few key milestones that indicate when your baby is ready for the change:
Age – Usually 2 to 4 months
Movement – Shifting around throughout the night and/or rolling over
Weight — Exceeding the capacity listed by the manufacturer
When your baby reaches one of these milestones—whichever comes first—ease them into the transition with the following methods:
Let your infant take naps in the crib before sleeping there overnight.
Put the crib in your room (even if you need to move it later).
Use a baby monitor (if your baby sleeps in a different room).
Use the same type of sheets you used in the bassinet.
Maintain your baby’s normal bedtime routine.
Pros and Cons of Bassinets and Cribs
Now you know that both cribs and bassinets promote a safe and restful night’s sleep for your infant. If you’re still unsure which will best support your needs, weigh the pros and cons of each.
Bassinets: Pros and Cons
The portability and convenience of bassinets top the list of their benefits. They allow you to sleep safely in the same room with your newborn during naptime and overnight, ensuring close physical contact and promoting a strong bond between you and your baby. Bassinets promote a comfortable and safe sleep environment for newborns and come in a variety of chic designs to suit your style.
On the other hand, bassinets aren’t cheap, and you can only use them for a short period. You’ll need to transition to a crib eventually, so you may decide to start with a crib immediately and spare the expense of an additional sleeping arrangement.
While bassinets are completely safe, they are less sturdy than a regular crib, which could lead to sleep disturbances from a pet or a sibling. Finally, bassinets don’t offer the same storage or versatility as cribs.
Cribs: Pros and Cons
Cribs beat bassinets in terms of longevity. A regular crib can be used for years, and some even convert into toddler beds, making them a more economical investment. This versatility helps when it’s time to transition to a toddler bed later on. Many also come with functions like an attached changing table, saving space and money. Like bassinets, cribs are a safe option and are available in a variety of colors, materials, and styles.
The main disadvantage of cribs is their bulkiness. While most bassinets can fit comfortably in your bedroom, you may not be able to accommodate a full-size crib. Cribs aren’t portable, either: Traveling with a crib is impossible, and once you install it somewhere, you’ll probably want to leave it there for good.
Making the Right Choice at the Right Time
When deciding whether to purchase a crib or a bassinet, consider the following factors:
Baby’s age and weight
Nursery size
Your budget
Longevity
To end the bassinet vs. crib debate, assess your needs and identify what qualities and functions you value in each. Whichever option you choose, your baby will sleep safely and comfortably night after night.
Bring Style and Comfort to Your Baby’s Bedtime with Posh Peanut
Whether your infant snoozes in a bassinet or a crib, make sure they’re snuggling up with premium pajamas and high-quality bedding.
Our signature Päpook® viscose from bamboo fabric is lightweight and breathable, keeping your peanut cool through the night. Päpook—meaning “soft” in Armenian—is gentle on sensitive skin, suitable for every season, and has enough stretch to grow alongside your baby.
Create a cozy and safe sleep environment for you and your baby with elevated baby pajamas ,swaddles , and crib sheets from Posh Peanut. Choose from our countless, limited edition designs that you and your little peanut will both love.
Sources:
1 Better Health Channel. Typical Sleep Behavior - Newborns 0 to 3 Months.
https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/healthyliving/typical-sleep-behaviour-nb-0-3-months
2 WebMD. When Can I Move My Baby From Bassinet to Crib?
https://www.webmd.com/parenting/baby/when-can-i-move-my-baby-from-bassinet-to-crib
3 Federal Registrar. Safety Standard for Crib Mattresses.
4 American Academy of Pediatrics. Safe Sleep.
5 WebMD. What’s the Right Room Temperature for a Baby?
https://www.webmd.com/baby/what-is-the-right-room-temperature-for-a-baby
6 American Academy of Pediatrics. Sleep-Related Infant Deaths: Updated 2022 Recommendations for Reducing Infant Deaths in the Sleep Environment.
