The arrival of a new baby into the family is always met with a lot of excitement. Every new parent will want the best for their baby. This is portrayed when it’s time to shop around for baby products. The bassinet is an important baby product because this is where your baby will be sleeping for the first few months after birth.

Typically, a bassinet is smaller in size than a crib and takes up very little space. They are also quite portable and this makes them ideal for moving from one room to the other. Bassinets have an oval shape and most of them come with a canopy-like cover. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, it is advisable for the baby to sleep in the parents’ bedroom during the first 6 months. This largely reduces the cases of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).

Bassinets are the perfect sleeping space for newborns because you can easily fit one in your bedroom and place it close to your bed. This way it’s easier to keep an eye on the baby at all times. Here are some tips on finding the best bassinets in the market today;

Look out for safety

Safety is mandatory when it comes to all baby products and accessories. Look for a bassinet that has a wide and solid base. This is to ensure that it does not topple over. In addition, it should have a firm mattress that has no space around the edges. In case there are side slates, they should not be spaced very far apart to avoid the baby’s head from getting stuck in there. Similarly, look out for decorations on the headboard that might entrap your little one. In other words, the bassinet should meet the federal safety standards. Some of these things may seem like nothing to worry about, but they are among the causes of infant deaths .

Weight and age limits

You have to check the weight and age limit of the bassinet that you want for your baby. Consider how long you will want the baby to sleep in the bassinet before you can move him to a crib. Many of the bassinets have an age limit of about 4 to 6 months. The weight limit ranges between 15 to 20 pounds. When purchasing the product make sure you take a look at the instructions on the weight limit and when to discontinue use. It will be easier to determine if the bassinet will work for you or not.

Price

You cannot possibly use a bassinet past 6 months. This means that it will be in use for only a short period of time. It will not make any sense to spend a fortune on a bassinet that you won’t be using after a while. Go for one that is being sold at an affordable price or even look out for discounts. This however does not mean you buy something that is way too cheap and compromise on quality or safety.

On the other hand, if you decide to buy a pricy bassinet, there is no problem as long as you can afford it. Furthermore, you can pass it down to a relative or friend once you have finished using it. There is also the option of selling it and getting the money spent back.

Look for portability

The main reason why so many parents opt for a bassinet is the fact that it is compact and light in weight. This makes it easy to move it around the house. For instance, if you are in the sitting room then you can bring the bassinet there so that the baby can nap near you. This way you are able to keep a close eye on the baby at all times.

Another thing that you might want to look for in a bassinet is wheels. This will make it even easier for you to move it around. The wheels should preferably have locks so that the baby is not moved around by her siblings who may probably be curious. In addition, if you travel frequently then a bassinet that can be disassembled is a good option. Make sure it has solid latches that lock safely.

A rocking bassinet or not?

A rocking bassinet may be perfect for soothing the baby, but it also comes with some safety concerns. To ensure that your baby is totally safe, go for a bassinet that has a lock for the rocking movements. When you don’t need to rock the baby, all you have to do is lock it back to a stationary position. If you only go for the rocking bassinet that can’t be locked to a stationary position, your baby is at a high risk of suffocating. What happens is the baby may learn to move or roll on the side. The rocking movements can entrap him on one side and pose a suffocation risk.

The mattress

The mattress should be properly supported and should not bend when your baby is placed on it. In addition, the mattress should be firm. A firm sleeping surface is mandatory for babies. Heavy padding on the mattress is risky for the baby. His face may sink inside it and cause him to suffocate. There should also be no spaces at the edges of the mattress that can pose a danger to the baby. It’s important that you check all of these things.

The beddings

A couple of bassinets come with sheets that fit well on it. Keep in mind that the baby might mess up the sheets from time to time. You therefore have to equip yourself with some extra ones. The sheets should be of a fabric that is easy to clean. Also, consider if there is a waterproof mattress cover included in the package. If not, then the mattress should at least be easy to clean in case the baby soils it. In addition, there is no need for any extras such as baby pillows or things like quilts. The baby will be just fine sleeping on a bare space.

Author's Bio: 

The other advantage is that they are very easy to clean and sanitize. The good thing is that majority of the versions come with microwavable steam bags and wipes to make the cleaning and sanitizing process easy.