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The Benefits Of Bedside Bassinets For Babies And Parents

Having a newborn is an exciting but exhausting time for parents.

Sleep is scarce, especially in those first few months when babies need to eat every few hours around the clock.

This disrupted sleep can take a toll on Mom and Dad. One product that can help parents get more rest is a bedside bassinet.

What is a Bedside Bassinet?

A bedside bassinet, sometimes called a “co-sleeper,” is a bassinet that attaches right to the parent’s bed, allowing easy overnight access to the baby.

Unlike standalone bassinets across the room, bedside bassinets allow you to tend to your little one without fully getting up. This saves you those precious extra minutes of sleep.

The Benefits Of Bedside Bassinets For Babies And Parents

Bedside bassinets are designed with one side that drops down or can be detached. This creates an opening so you can easily reach over and lift your baby out for late-night feedings or soothing. The three main types are:

  • Freestanding bassinets have four legs and can stand alone beside your bed. They easily roll out of the way for daytime use.
  • Attachable bassinets – These securely attach right to the side of an adult bed with straps or braces.
  • Portable/travel bassinets – Lightweight and foldable, these are great for traveling or moving from room to room.

No matter which style you choose, look for firm, flat mattresses and breathable mesh sides for safety and comfort.

Benefits for Baby

Using a bedside bassinet offers several advantages to a baby’s health, safety, and development:

Close Proximity

Having baby sleep within arm’s reach allows you to respond quickly when they need you. You can immediately tend to them for feedings, diaper changes, and soothing without fully getting out of bed. This leads to less crying and faster back-to-sleep transitions.

Reduced SIDS Risk

Sharing a room, not a bed, with your newborn significantly reduces the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). Bedside bassinets keep the baby close enough for bonding and feeding but on their separate surface as recommended.

Better Sleep

The closeness of a bedside bassinet can be comforting to a baby. Hearing parents’ voices and sounds helps little ones feel secure, allowing them to sleep better.

Regulation of Vital Signs

Studies show that an infant’s heart rate, breathing patterns, and sleep cycles sync with the proximity of mom and dad. Keeping baby nearby helps regulate their new little bodies.

Forego the Nursery

Skipping a separate nursery avoids unnecessary expenses. A bedside bassinet lets you meet all your baby’s needs without a decked-out nursery from the start.

Benefits for Parents

In those early months, a bedside bassinet also makes life a little easier for sleep-deprived parents:

Avoid Tracking Sleep

With the baby beside you, there’s no need to keep track of feedings or check the video monitor. You immediately know when your little one stirs or fusses.

Take Turns

If one parent wakes for a feeding or diaper change, you can switch off seamlessly by passing the baby to your partner over the bassinet. Both get extra rest.

Quick Soothing

Being able to tend to your baby’s needs immediately prevents escalation. You can soothe them before crying intensifies and fully wakes you and your partner.

Recover from C-Section

If mom delivers via c-section, a bedside bassinet prevents her from having to get in and out of bed. Dad can handle overnight needs within reach of her side of the bed.

Keep Baby Close

The option to sleep near your newborn brings comfort and eases anxiety about SIDs. You’ll rest easier knowing your little one is safe and sound within arm’s reach.

Buying Considerations for Bedside Bassinets

If you’ve decided a bedside bassinet is right for you, keep these factors in mind while shopping:

  • Size – Measure how much space you have next to your bed before purchasing. Opt for a compact, space-saving design if room is limited.
  • Type – Choose from freestanding, attachable to your bed frame, or portable to move around the home.
  • Adjustable height – Look for options that adjust to the level of your mattress for easy access.
  • Materials – Breathable mesh sides promote airflow. Sturdy frames withstand the bumps of sleepy parents.
  • Mattress – A firm, flat mattress ensures safety. Some models include the mattress, while others require you to purchase separately.
  • Extras – Convenient additions include storage pockets, rocking feet, and adjustable canopies.
  • Price – Bassinets range from $50 for basic portable versions to $300 for those with all the bells and whistles. Set a budget before shopping.

No matter which bedside bassinet style you choose, look for a design that attaches securely and meets all safety guidelines. Checking reviews from other parents can help narrow down the highest-rated, quality options.

Making the Most of Your Bedside Bassinet

Once you’ve purchased your bassinet, optimize the benefits by following these tips:

  • Place it within arm’s reach of the person who will handle most overnight needs. Ensure it’s positioned at least 12 inches from the adult mattress with no gaps for safety.
  • Get baby used to sleeping in the bassinet during daytime naps. Allowing them to adjust helps ensure better nighttime sleep.
  • Take advantage of when the baby sleeps in the bassinet to nap or get things done yourself. Don’t feel guilty about stealing a few minutes of me-time.
  • When it’s time to transition to the crib, gradually move the bassinet further from your bed over days or weeks. This eases the adjustment.
  • Consider a sound machine, swaddle blanket, pacifier, or other sleep associations to help the baby feel comfortable and settled in the new bassinet environment.

Bringing home a newborn is an exhilarating and emotional time for parents.

It can also be utterly exhausting in those first few months as you adjust to infrequent sleep and constant feedings. Finding ways to make this transition easier can help the whole family.

A bedside bassinet offers one of the most useful solutions to survive those sleepless newborn nights.

Keeping your baby within arm’s reach significantly benefits their health, safety, and ability to sleep soundly. For parents, it also means convenience, rest, and peace of mind knowing your little one is beside you.

While any bassinet can technically be placed next to your bed, one designed specifically for bedside use is the way to go. Look for a sturdy, adjustable model with breathable mesh sides that meet all safety recommendations.

High-quality bedside bassinets allow you to attend to your baby’s overnight needs without fully getting up. This saves you precious extra minutes of the shut-eye that can add up.

As experienced parents will share, investing in a proper bedside bassinet is a decision you will never regret.

The benefits start from the first night home and continue on those frequent late-night feedings and diaper changes in the coming weeks. Easy access lets you immediately soothe fussing and help your little one back to sleep in those early months.

Before the baby arrives, explore the many bedside bassinet options out there. Search for one that fits your space, budget, and style.

Bedside bassinets are a parenting must-have for the first months with your newborn. The benefits for both baby and exhausted parents make this sleep tool worth the investment.

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