Choosing stuff for your nursery can get overwhelming real fast. From wondering if you need a changing table or a rocking chair to making sure there is enough space for a swing, a lot of things can go through your mind during this time. Among the most important decisions you’ll be faced with, though, is selecting baby furniture for sleeping.
Babies tend to sleep a lot, so expect them to spend so much time in their sleeping areas. In addition, this area should be a safe sleeping space for your little one. So, which do you think can pull it off better: the crib or the bassinet?
Today, we’ll be discussing how these two items measure up against each other so that you can decide which is more suitable for your baby.
The Differences
Both the bassinet and the crib earn high marks for baby safety. They both can offer safe sleeping conditions for newborns with minimal issues, if any. However, despite this, they do have some apparent differences.
There’s size, for one. Cribs can take up more space than bassinets and are, therefore, better for larger nurseries. Bassinets, on the other hand, being smaller in size, offer better portability. Additionally, most bassinets have hoods or covers that can be pulled over to provide shade when outdoors. They are generally easier to operate for most parents and have shorter sides to make it easier for you to place the baby inside them.
Moving on, we have cribs, which are typically more durable than bassinets and can be used for a longer time. Some can even be converted to beds for toddlers, further adding to their utility span. The weight limits on bassinets don’t allow for this kind of lifespan. Unlike cribs, they will only be useful for the first few months of your child’s life.
In terms of price, cribs, understandably, come with a heftier tag since they are bigger and more durable. Unlike the generally-cheaper bassinets, they also make a better investment long term because of their usability.
Factors to Consider When Choosing Between a Crib and a Bassinet
The foremost thing to consider when deciding between baby furniture for sleeping is the area in your home where you want your child to sleep in. You should also learn more about baby bassinets and cribs to make a better decision on this matter.
Space
As recommended by experts, newborns should sleep in the same room as their parents, but have a separate space of their own. If space is an issue in your bedroom, then you might not be able to fit a crib in it. In this case, a bassinet would be a better option for the first few months of your baby’s life.
On the other hand, if you have a large house with more than enough space to accommodate baby furniture of any size, then it doesn’t matter what you choose. You can even invest in both a large, sturdy crib that has many years ahead of it and a high-quality bassinet for better portability.
Price
Price is also a matter to be considered when deciding on your child’s sleeping space. If you need a crib but can’t invest in one right then and there, then a bassinet should be a good-enough option for the meantime. It offers you the first few months of your baby’s life to save up for a crib.
Ease of Use
Then, we have ease of use, which the bassinet happens to have the edge over the crib. A bassinet is light, has lower sides, and is easily movable. Unlike a crib, which has taller sides that may make it difficult for parents to pick up and place their babies down, a bassinet offers easy operation in that department.
Aesthetics
Lastly, the aesthetics. As safe as cribs are for newborns, they generally look dull and uncomfortable, particularly when you abide by the guidelines and use it without any blankets or pillows. A bassinet, on the other hand, looks and feels cozy and doesn’t seem like it’s too large for your baby.
What’s the Most Important Thing to Consider?
At the end of the day, what matters most is that your baby’s sleeping space meets the current safety standards. The mattress should be firm, flat, and bare, with no more than a width of two fingers separating it from the bed’s edge. If slats are present, then the distance between them should not exceed two and ? inches to prevent the baby’s head from fitting.
You must also never place your child’s bed anywhere near drapes, cords, and other strangulation hazards. Inspect the bed fully before placing your child on it to ensure that it’s the safest environment for your baby to sleep in.
Final Thoughts
As important as you feel it is to decide between a crib and a bassinet, at the end of the day, it all comes down to personal preferences and specific circumstances at home. Even when you get a crib, it’s only going to last you a couple of years. Time is going to fly and, without even realizing it, you’ll be shopping for a real bed this time around.
I’m a 20-something stay-at-home mother and wife. I have an amazing husband, a beautiful daughter, two loving dogs, and a lazy cat. I wouldn’t change my life for anything! I love to read, listen to music, cook and blog!
We bought a transformer crib for our baby that can be folded into a round cradle https://dreamonmecrib.com/ with a diameter of 60 cm. This cradle is on wheels and can be easily moved from room to room! And then when my son grew up, we transformed the cradle into a crib. However, my son did not want to sleep separately in the crib, so we again transformed the crib into a bed for toddlers and put it to my husband’s bed and how we use it as an extra bed. I advise everyone! It’s really very convenient! We bought one thing that will last us from birth until the son himself wants another bed.