Crib vs. Bassinet: Which One Is Better For Your Little One, And Why?

If you’re trying to decide whether to buy a bassinet for your baby to sleep in at first, or just go straight for a crib, it’s important to know the pros and cons of each. Not all parents choose to sleep their baby in a bassinet, and that’s totally fine! It’s not at all necessary to use a a bassinet, but there are definitely some benefits to using one.

We’ve compiled a list of the benefits to using a crib vs a bassinet, and it should be helpful to you in deciding whether or not to buy one.

crib vs bassinet

Cribs vs. Bassinets: The Pros of Buying a Bassinet

There are a few reasons why you might decide to go for a bassinet over a crib. They are as follows.

Co-sleeping is easier with a bassinet. The main reason why many parents buy a bassinet is to co-sleep with their baby; this means sleeping in the same room with them. There are studies that show that this can reduce the chance of SIDS by up to 50%.

Many parents are more comfortable with this sleeping scenario: having their baby right next to them at all times can be more safe, and it’s also much more convenient for mid-night feedings. However, it’s not at all recommended to sleep in the same bed together; sleeping in a crib or bassinet is far safer.

The small size and light weight of a bassinet makes it much easier to place in your bedroom as opposed to a crib. Unless you have a large bedroom, putting a crib in it along with your bed is going to be outright impossible.

  • Bassinets are more snug and comfortable. While cribs can be comfortable too, some babies just seem to prefer the snugness and comfort of a nice bassinet.
  • It’s a lot easier to put a baby in a bassinet. If you’re recuperating from a pregnancy, especially if you had a C-section, it can be a lot easier to place your baby in a bassinet as opposed to a crib. Cribs can be a lot harder, since if the side doesn’t come down, you have to lean over it. On the other hand, bassinets are usually low enough that you can place the baby in it from a sitting position, if need be.
  • They’re portable. If your baby’s nursery is far away from your bedroom, you can simply wheel it around to a more convenient place during the day. This is a huge benefit for a lot of parents. Some are even portable enough to pack up and take with you outside of the house!
  • Many bassinets have a hood/cover. This can be a nice feature for when your baby sleeps during the day, as it helps block out the sun. Of course, this might add to the cost of the unit.

Cribs vs. Bassinets: The Pros of Buying a Crib

There aren’t many cons to bassinets but you should know about them anyway.

  • Babies don’t use bassinets for very long. There are no hard-and-fast rules to this, but in general the most use you can expect to get out of a bassinet is 6 months, and many will find that their baby outgrows it much faster than that. You might find it more cost-effective to just purchase a crib.
  • Not all babies prefer bassinets. While most babies prefer the closeness of a bassinet, some just seem to prefer sleeping in a crib instead.

The Conclusion

If you decide not to purchase a bassinet and go straight for a crib, don’t feel guilty! Lots of parents do the same thing, and experts don’t advocate cribs over bassinets or vice-versa. It really comes down to your personal preferences as a parent, and your house arrangement.

If you’re interested in bassinets, read my guide here.

If you’re interested in cribs, read my guide here.

What do you prefer: a crib or a bassinet? Let us know in the comments below!

1 comment
  1. When my wife and I had our kids we have always used a crib for them. I didn’t really know about bassinets until there were all grown out of them. I do like that the cribs do last longer than bassinets, though.

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