Bassinet vs. Crib: What Does Baby Actually Need?

Preparing for a baby can be a very exciting and overwhelming process. If you’re a new parent-to-be, you’ve likely heard of the bassinet vs. crib debate and are wondering which one is best for your baby. Our guide is here to take the stress out of nursery furniture shopping and to give you the information you need to decide which sleep option is right for your new baby.

Bassinet vs. Crib: The Key Differences

Both bassinets and cribs provide your baby with their own space to rest, but there are key differences in their make up and purposes. Here’s what you need to know about the bassinet vs. crib differences to get the most out of their uses.

What Is a Bassinet?

A bassinet is a smaller version of a crib that is primarily used for your newborn or younger baby to sleep in. Its smaller frame makes it easier for parents to put it right next to their bed for those late nights and early mornings when your baby wakes up hungry or needing a change. Bassinets are also very lightweight and easy to carry around. Unlike cribs, bassinets can be portable and include wheels on the ends of the legs, which means you can cart the bed around the house for a nap anywhere. For more information on bassinets, check out our guide .What Is a Bassinet?

Cradles can also be used as bassinets, though they are made just a little bit differently and do not have wheels. Cradles are very small and primarily used to rock a baby or provide another movement to lull them to sleep. Traditional cradles are made out of wood, but there are modern cradles made out of metal or plastic that offer more movements like vibrating and slight swinging for a different, calming sensation.

What Is a Crib?

Cribs are other sleep spaces for your baby and most likely the item you are more familiar with. They are bigger than a bassinet and are generally made of wood, metal, or acrylic with endless designs. Most cribs are starter beds that can convert into bigger beds for toddlers and older children to sleep in. They can be used longer than a bassinet but do take up more space since they are larger. To learn more, read our guide The Best Cribs to Lull Your Baby to Sleep.

Bassinet vs. Crib Benefits

Some parents like to use a combination of bassinets and cribs throughout their baby’s sleep journey, but if you are looking for one option, here are things to consider with each product.

• Space: It is highly recommended for newborns to sleep in the same room as their parents for the first few months of life, but not in the same bed. If your bedroom is rather tight, then a crib might be too big to place next to you. Bassinets – especially folding ones – are great for narrow spaces and to use during those first few months your baby is sleeping in your room while also being able to move out of the way with ease.

• Convertibility & Portability: If you are looking for a bed to keep around for a long time, a crib is a good investment. Cribs can be converted to different bed sizes to grow with your child without causing you to purchase a new bed every time they age out of their current one. You can get more uses of a crib, but bassinets are able to be carted around or out of the house and can be used as a pack n’ play during the day.

• Assembly: In terms of ease when it comes to assembly, bassinets are quicker and easier to set up. Cribs are heavy and sometimes have more parts than a bassinet and require heavy lifting. They can take more time to assemble. Bassinets are typically already put together and all you have to do is stretch the legs once you get the item out of the box and make sure no other parts need to be attached.
• Extra Features: Most bassinets and cribs come with extra features like storage and attached changing tables that can make life a breeze during certain situations. Another feature both products can include are mobiles that spin and provide soothing sleep music.

• Style: In the bassinet vs. crib debate, it’s no secret that cribs tend to be more stylish and aesthetically pleasing than bassinets. Cribs come in a variety of colors, designs, and styles to fit beautifully in your nursery with your decor, while bassinets are more plain. Bassinets are generally built for ease and convenience for a few months while cribs are meant to last longer and pair nicely with other furniture you may have in your baby’s room.
• Safety: The most important feature to consider when choosing between a bassinet vs crib is the safety of your baby. In terms of safety, there is no key difference between the two items – both are highly rated by medical professionals for your baby to sleep in. They provide just the right amount of room for your baby to move and sleep in during any phase of life to give you peace of mind.

Now that you know more about bassinets vs. cribs, it’s time to shop. You can find the right sleep space and bedding for your baby based on your style and preferences.