Those first few months with a newborn are a beautiful, blurry time, and having your baby close by for nighttime feedings and comforting is a priority for many new parents. A bedside bassinet offers the perfect solution, providing a safe, separate sleep space that keeps your little one within arm’s reach. This proximity can help everyone get more rest while adhering to safe sleep guidelines recommended by pediatricians.
With so many models available, choosing the right bassinet can feel overwhelming. Do you need smart features, ultimate portability, or a simple, secure sleeper? To simplify your search, we’ve compiled a list of top-rated options that cater to a variety of needs and lifestyles, ensuring you can find the ideal spot for your baby’s first sleeps.
Our Top Picks for Bedside Baby Bassinets
- Baby Bassinet, 3 in 1 Bassinets Bedside Sleeper
- OHFLY Baby Bassinet, 4 in 1 Bassinet Bedside Sleeper
- Cowiewie Bassinet Bedside Sleeper, Portable, Breathable
- Fodoss Baby Bassinet Bedside Sleeper with Wheels
- HALO BassiNest Connected Swivel Sleeper 3.0
- Graco SmartSense Soothing Baby Bassinet
- Chicco LullaGo Anywhere Portable Bassinet
- Fisher-Price Baby Bedside Sleeper Soothing Motions Bassinet
- Baby Delight Beside Me Dreamer Bassinet
- Dream On Me Karley Bassinet
Baby Bassinet, 3 in 1 Bassinets Bedside Sleeper
This versatile bassinet is designed to grow with your family’s needs, functioning as a standalone crib, a secure bedside sleeper, or a portable travel bed. Its adaptable design means it can be configured to suit your space and preferences, whether at home or on the go. The adjustable height feature ensures a perfect and safe alignment with your adult bed, creating a seamless sleep space for you and your baby.
Constructed with breathable mesh sides, it promotes optimal airflow and allows for clear visibility of your little one. For busy parents, the convenience of easy assembly and simple folding for compact storage or travel is a significant advantage. The addition of a storage basket and wheels further enhances its functionality, making it a practical choice for modern nurseries.
OHFLY Baby Bassinet, 4 in 1 Bassinet Bedside Sleeper
Taking versatility a step further, the OHFLY bassinet offers four functions in one: a standalone crib, a bedside sleeper, a rocking bassinet, and a travel bed. It includes six adjustable height levels, allowing you to achieve a perfect match with your mattress or create a gentle tilt to aid with infant reflux. The inclusion of a mosquito net is a thoughtful touch for added protection.
Mobility is a key feature here, with 360-degree locking wheels that let you move the sleeper quietly from room to room. When you need it to stay in place, the wheel locks ensure stability and safety. This combination of multi-mode use, height adjustability, and easy maneuverability makes it a highly functional centerpiece for your baby’s first months.
Cowiewie Bassinet Bedside Sleeper
The Cowiewie Bassinet focuses on providing a simple, secure, and comfortable sleep environment for your newborn. Its main fabrics are crafted from innovative, breathable 3D mesh, which ensures optimal airflow around your baby, helping to maintain a comfortable temperature throughout the night. This design prioritizes a clear line of sight and a well-ventilated space.
Inside, you’ll find a firm, breathable mattress that supports healthy development while the padded structure adds a layer of comfort. This bassinet is designed for peaceful nights, offering a no-fuss, reliable sleeping solution that keeps your baby close by from birth until they are ready to transition to a crib.
Fodoss Baby Bassinet Bedside Sleeper with Wheels
This Fodoss bassinet is built with safety and convenience at the forefront. All four sides are made of breathable mesh, promoting excellent air circulation and allowing you to easily check on your baby from any angle. The mattress cover is waterproof, making clean-up after accidents quick and simple, and it is designed to be soft against your infant’s skin.
Practicality shines with its spacious storage options, including a large tray and a detachable pocket. This gives you ample space to keep diapers, wipes, and other essentials within easy reach during those late-night changes. With seven height adjustments and easy folding for storage, it is a thoughtfully designed sleeper for organized parents.
HALO BassiNest Connected Swivel Sleeper 3.0
For parents seeking a high-tech helper, the HALO BassiNest Connected is a standout option. Its innovative AutoSoothe™ technology can detect your baby’s cries and automatically respond with customizable rocking, vibration, and soothing sounds to help them settle back to sleep. You can choose from hundreds of soothing combinations or use expert-guided programs.
One of its most praised features is the 360-degree swivel base, which allows you to effortlessly bring your baby closer for feeding or comforting without having to get out of bed. The easy-lowering wall also makes it easier to lift your baby in and out, which is especially helpful for mothers recovering from a C-section.
Graco SmartSense Soothing Baby Bassinet
The Graco SmartSense bassinet offers smart soothing at an accessible price point. It listens for your baby’s cries and within seconds begins responding with gentle, synced motions and sounds. The system offers thousands of combination possibilities, allowing you to find the perfect mix of white noise, vibration, and rocking that works best for your child.
This hands-free assistance can be a game-changer for exhausted parents, providing comfort to your baby even when you need a moment of rest. It’s designed to help soothe your newborn back to sleep, making those nighttime wake-ups more manageable for the whole family.
Chicco LullaGo Anywhere Portable Bassinet
If portability is your top priority, the Chicco LullaGo Anywhere is an excellent choice. Weighing only 12 pounds, this bassinet is incredibly lightweight and features a space-saving footprint. It includes a firm, flat, waterproof mattress and mesh side panels for visibility and airflow, adhering to important safe sleep standards.
Assembly is remarkably easy, with sturdy metal legs that snap into place in seconds. When it’s time to go, the entire unit folds flat and fits neatly into the included carry bag, making it the perfect sleep solution for travel, weekends at grandma’s, or simply moving from room to room throughout the day.
Fisher-Price Baby Bedside Sleeper Soothing Motions Bassinet
This bassinet from Fisher-Price is packed with features designed to soothe and entertain your baby. It includes a calming sway motion that can be activated by your baby’s movements or locked out for stationary sleeping. An engaging toy mobile and dual-mode lighting—with both a night light and a soothing projection—help capture your baby’s attention and comfort them.
You also have access to 30 minutes of continuous vibrations, music, and nature sounds to help settle your little one. This combination of visual and auditory stimulation makes it a great option for parents looking for an all-in-one soothing station for their newborn.
Baby Delight Beside Me Dreamer Bassinet
The Baby Delight Beside Me Dreamer focuses on safety, style, and easy access. It is JPMA certified and includes anchors that securely fasten the bassinet to your adult bed, ensuring it stays firmly in place all night long. The breathable mesh walls promote air circulation, and the design is meant to blend beautifully with your home decor.
When used in bedside mode, you can simply unzip the mesh panel closest to you to bring your baby near. This allows for easy feeding, comforting, and bonding without the need to fully get up. It provides the reassurance of having your baby right beside you, making those nighttime check-ins effortless.
Dream On Me Karley Bassinet
The Dream On Me Karley Bassinet is a classic, compact sleeper known for its stability and charming design. It often features a double canopy and streamlined silhouette, making it a stylish addition to any nursery. Its compact size is ideal for smaller spaces, and it typically includes a comfortable mattress with a fitted sheet.
As a standalone bassinet, it provides a dedicated and secure sleeping space for your newborn. While it may not have the advanced features of some other models, its simplicity, reliability, and attractive design have made it a popular and trusted choice for many families for years.
Buying Guide: What to Look For in the Best Bedside Baby Bassinets for Newborns
When I was getting my nursery ready, choosing a bassinet felt like one of the biggest decisions. You want something safe, convenient, and that helps everyone get a little more sleep. A bedside bassinet is a game-changer because it lets you keep your newborn close without sharing the same sleep surface. But with so many options, how do you pick? Here’s what I learned to focus on.
First and foremost, safety is non-negotiable. Always look for a bassinet that meets the current safety standards from the CPSC (Consumer Product Safety Commission). This means it should have a firm, flat mattress that fits snugly with no gaps. The sides should be made of breathable mesh to ensure good airflow and prevent any risk of suffocation. Avoid any bassinets with soft, padded sides or loose bedding.
Next, think about functionality and adjustability. A key feature of a good bedside bassinet is the ability to adjust the height of the bassinet floor. Your bed is likely a different height than mine, so this feature is essential for creating a seamless and safe “sidecar” effect. You want the bassinet to sit flush with your mattress to make those nighttime feedings and check-ins as easy as possible. Some models even have a drop-down side wall, which can be a real back-saver.
Consider the size and portability. How much space do you have in your room? Some bassinets are quite compact, while others have a larger footprint. If you plan to move the bassinet from your room to the living room during the day, look for one that is lightweight, has wheels that lock, or is easy to disassemble and carry. A rocking or gliding feature can also be soothing for the baby, but make sure it has a locking mechanism to keep it stationary when needed.
Don’t forget about extra features that can make life easier. Many modern bassinets come with built-in features like gentle vibrations, soft nightlights, or even built-in sound machines. While these aren’t strictly necessary, they can be helpful tools for soothing a fussy baby. Just remember that the core purpose is safe sleep, so don’t let bells and whistles overshadow the fundamental safety design. Finally, check the weight limit. Most bassinets are suitable from birth until your baby can push up on their hands and knees or reaches the weight limit, usually around 15-20 pounds. Investing in one of the best bedside baby bassinets for newborns means you’re investing in peace of mind and hopefully, more restful nights for the whole family.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long can my baby sleep in a bedside bassinet?
This is one of the most common questions, and the answer depends on your baby’s development. Most babies will outgrow their bassinet between 4 and 6 months, or when they show signs of being able to push up on their hands and knees. The official weight limit is your best guide, which is typically between 15 and 20 pounds for most models. Always stop using the bassinet as soon as your baby meets any one of the manufacturer’s criteria for moving out of it, even if they seem small.
Are bedside bassinets safer than having the baby in my bed?
Yes, absolutely. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that babies sleep in the same room as their parents, but on a separate, firm sleep surface to reduce the risk of SIDS and accidental suffocation. A bedside bassinet is the perfect solution because it gives your baby their own safe space while keeping them right next to you for easy feeding and comforting. It’s the best of both worlds for safety and convenience.
What is the difference between a bassinet and a Moses basket?
While they serve a similar purpose, the main differences are stability and portability. A Moses basket is a portable bed, often made of woven materials with a handle. It’s lightweight and easy to carry from room to room, but it usually sits on the floor or a stand. A bassinet is generally a sturdier, more permanent structure with a stable base. Many modern bassinets also come with features like height adjustability, rocking, and storage, which you won’t find with a Moses basket.
Can a bassinet be rocked while it’s attached to my bed?
This really depends on the specific model. Some bassinets are designed with a stationary bedside mode and a separate rocking mode that you engage when the bassinet is pulled away from the bed. Other models may allow for a gentle rock even while positioned bedside. You must check the manufacturer’s instructions for your specific bassinet. Never try to rock a bassinet that is not designed for it while it’s attached to your bed, as it could become unstable.
What should I look for in a bassinet mattress?
The mattress is a critical safety component. It must be firm and flat—never soft or squishy. It should fit perfectly snug within the bassinet walls with no gaps whatsoever. If you can fit more than two fingers between the mattress and the bassinet side, the fit is not safe. The mattress cover should be waterproof and easy to wipe clean. While it might be tempting to add a softer pad or extra padding, you should only ever use the mattress and a fitted sheet that came with or is specifically approved for your bassinet.
Do I need a bassinet if I already have a crib?
This is a personal choice, but many parents find a bassinet incredibly helpful for the first few months. Having your newborn in a bassinet right next to your bed makes nighttime feedings and diaper changes much easier, as you don’t have to get out of bed and walk to another room. This can help both you and your baby get back to sleep faster. A crib is essential for the long term, but a bassinet offers a more convenient and cozy solution for the newborn stage. When you are looking for the best bedside baby bassinets for newborns, you are really looking for a tool to make those initial sleep-deprived months a little bit smoother.