“Sleep like a baby”. Whoever coined that phrase was probably staring at a newborn deliciously snuggled up inside a cozy bassinet. What’s a bassinet, you might ask? Or why do we even need one? Clearly, you’re either expecting your first child, or have not had children of your own. Read on for more information about non-toxic bedside bassinets, why you might want to invest in one, and my two pence on the best baby bassinets out there today ( along with one or two that I love but unfortunately don’t necessarily tick the chemical-free box).
What is a Bassinet?
A bassinet is a small cradle or cot for your tiny new addition to safely cozy up next to you in the bedroom, living room or even when you travel. The best part about these is that they occupy little space and are portable. And if, like me, you don’t have black-out curtains at home, do not fret. Most of the best bassinets these days come with a hood or cover which can be pulled over to adjust the entry of light while your baby is enjoying a deep slumber. As a new mother, I was worried about a lot of things, but my primary concern was to find a good bed for my child.
Why do I need one?
With the risk of SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome), it is clearly safer for your newborn to sleep next to your bed rather than with you during those early days. If you think a crib is too big for that mushy ball of cuteness, then a bassinet can be a lifesaver.
When my little one was on her way, I started designing her room as soon as I heard the good news. From night lamps and toys, to baskets and changing pads, I chose almost everything within the first few weeks. However, my main concern was about where she would sleep. I had seen some beautiful bedside bassinets at friends’ apartments and was piqued to find out more about the best non-toxic bassinets out there.
So I went on to do some extensive research on cribs vs bassinets, comparative study of each type, personally scoured furniture stores, and even hunted down every new mum I met, before making a final purchase. Et voila! Here’s the round-up of my favorite non-toxic bassinets for newborns in each price bracket. Hope this selection helps you narrow down your search and find the ideal sleeping solution that you’re looking for, because let’s face it; a sleeping baby = happy mom.
Best Baby Bassinets 2021
- This is one of the best baby bassinets out there and my personal favorite. What makes it so special are two main features that set it apart from the rest; it can be swiveled 360 degrees, and its height can be adjusted easily. This enables you to keep an eye on your baby and reach out for a cuddle whenever you want.
- If you’ve had a C-section and are barely able to move, the adjustable height is clearly a plus, and comes in very handy.
What I love about it:
- This is one of the best baby bassinets out there and my personal favorite. What makes it so special are two main features that set it apart from the rest; it can be swiveled 360 degrees, and its height can be adjusted easily. This enables you to keep an eye on your baby and reach out for a cuddle whenever you want.
- If you’ve had a C-section and are barely able to move, the adjustable height is clearly a plus, and comes in very handy.
Something to keep in mind:
- My personal favorite is the swivel feature. It gave my hands some much needed rest from time to time.
- If these wonderful perks are not already enough to convince you, the bassinet also comes with a versatile four-point base, which makes it easier to fit in just about any part of the room.
What I love about it:
- This light-weight cradle can be easily rocked with hands or feet.
- Its relatively lower height allows you to keep a watch on your baby while you both are lying down.
Something to keep in mind:
- This cradle is made of fabric, so there’s no need to worry about your child’s safety or toxic plastics.
- It is very popular as it’s good value for money and ideal if you like a simple, safe and efficient cradle.
What I love about it:
- This oval shaped space optimizing bassinet comes equipped with wheels making it quite easy to move from one room to another.
- What I like most about this bassinet is its unique shape, which facilitates maximum circulation of air and successfully creates a comfortable sleeping environment for your baby.
- Another impressive feature is that it can be extended using additional parts, to create a crib, a toddler bed and eventually 2 chairs. This means that you don’t have to invest in another bed until your child is at least 10 years old. So this is a great one-time investment and one of the best baby bassinets out there.
Something to keep in mind:
- However, this bassinet is quite expensive and might not seem like a great buy if you’re on a slightly tighter budget.
This co-sleeper cot, like all other co-sleepers from Arm’s Reach, is made from chemical-free materials. This makes it an entirely safe option for your baby. As a parent, I only want organic and non-toxic products for my children, and this is an ideal choice for a co-sleeping crib attached to bed. It has wheels that make it easy to move from room to room and mesh sides for visibility and breathability. This Arm’s Reach co-sleeper also offers adjustable height so parents can fit it next to their bed, no matter the size.
The storage space on the bottom of the co-sleeper cot is a great feature. It makes it easy for mom to reach for anything she may need during the night. While it may not be large enough for older babies, it’s an excellent option for newborns. The combination of the dark wooden frame with the light-colored cushion makes it is one of the best baby bassinets that is attractive, while also providing a great use for parents who want to co-sleep with their little one.
What I love about it:
- With its modern design, this bassinet is suitable for a modern home.
- Its compact size allows it to fit snugly in any room.
- It also comes equipped with wheels (winner!) and so you won’t have any problem in moving it from room to room.
Something to keep in mind:
- On the down side, however, as this bassinet is not too big, it will have to be replaced soon as your baby grows a little older.
Best With Minimalist Design:
What I love about it:
- I personally love this bassinet. Though it doesn’t come with wheels, it weighs only 25 lbs and so unless you’re too lazy like me, you can easily pick it up and keep it anywhere you want.
- This hand-crafted, sleek, and comfortable bassinet comes with inbuilt plush sides to keep your baby safe.
Something to keep in mind:
- If you’re further concerned about toxic environments, you can swap over for a non-toxic mattress instead.
Overall, this is one of the best non-toxic bassinets as it is great value for money, elegant and comfortable.
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What I love about it:
- If you’re like me and are constantly worried about your child’s safety (Who isn’t), this bassinet is a perfect buy. For starters, it can be attached to a parental bed. This way, your child is sleeping next to you without a chance of your actually rolling on top of her in your sleep.
Something to keep in mind:
- That aside, it’s made from breathable mesh so your baby will always be safe from suffocation.
- It comes with a mattress and fitted sheet, both of which are removable and machine-washable. (I would swap this for a Non-toxic Mattress though, for extra safety).
- The package also includes a carry bag, very handy indeed.
In my opinion, this is currently the best baby bassinet that you’ll find.
The Guava Lotus Travel Crib is an ultra-light play yard, which folds up into an easy-to-carry backpack case. This GreenGuard Gold certified product is free of phthalates, heavy metals, lead, and BPA free. It delivers top-quality airflow thanks to the mesh. The side zipper door allows you to lay down your baby and cuddle him/her to sleep.
The baby bassinet comes with a comfortable mattress with a thick pad and soft foam made for newborns or infants. You can easily set up the crib in 15 seconds.
What I love about it:
- It’s lightweight.
- The product is safe for your baby’s health.
Something to keep in mind:
- You can convert the crib into a bassinet, but you’ll need an additional kit.
- Weighs 13 pounds packed.
- Dimensions are 42 x 32 x 25 inches (L x W x H).
What I love about it:
- When it comes to value for money, this is the best baby bassinet.
- It comes with a removable canopy that can be moved to adjust the entry of light.
- Apart from a polyester sleeping pad which is machine washable, it includes a large storage basket which can be used to keep your baby’s essentials.
Something to keep in mind:
- However, all good things must have a flaw and the sleeping area in this bassinet is not quite so comfortable.
The unique design of this bassinet is both functional and comfortable for infant and parent. The elevation in the incline helps baby to breathe easier while sleeping and the rocking feature helps keep baby asleep without mom or dad having to leave the bed.
What I love about it:
- It has a high-quality sturdy base for being a lightweight bassinet which also helps parents to be relaxed about baby’s sleep time.
- The mesh walls allow for visibility at all times for parents who want to be able to check on baby from the comfort of their bed.
- It works quietly and smoothly which is a big plus for a good night’s sleep.
- Unlike a traditional Moses basket, this co-sleeper can rest comfortably on parent’s mattress when mom or dad want baby close and the height is adjustable.
- Since it can detach from the base, parents can have baby share the bed with them in the comfort of their own space. This is safer and better for baby.
- Mesh side allows for clear visibility at any time.
Something to keep in mind:
- While it is a large bassinet, this same factor helps to make it a sturdy and reliable place for baby to sleep comfortably while staying close to mom and dad. It’s a great option for parents who want the possibility of having baby share the bed with them in a safe space, making it one of the best baby bassinets.
What I love about it:
- The Graco Dream Suite Bassinet is not just a bassinet, but also a changer. It comes equipped with wheels and can be moved around with ease.
- This bassinet includes a hood which can be used to adjust the light reaching your baby.
- Two beautiful toys hang from the hood to keep your baby occupied while you’re slipping her into her onesie.
- This bassinet offers two different speeds of vibration to soothe your baby.
Something to keep in mind:
- While this is a good bassinet, some parents might not be too keen on the vibration feature in a bassinet.
FAQs
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Can Newborns Sleep in Bassinets?
Yes. Bassinets are made specifically for newborns. Once your little one turns 6 months old you can gradually introduce him or her to the crib.
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How Long Can You Put A Baby in a Bassinet?
It depends on a variety of factors. Bassinets come with different weight limits between 10 and 20 pounds. If you can’t identify the weight limit, you can move your bundle of joy to a crib when he or she hits the 15 pounds mark.
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How to Get Baby to Sleep in Bassinet?
To get your baby to sleep in a bassinet, you need a solid bedtime routine including bath time, light massage, quiet play, reading or singing, swaddling, and cuddling.
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When Is Baby Too Big for Bassinet?
Your baby is too big for a bassinet when he or she hits the 15 pounds weight limits. You can gradually introduce your baby to a crib once he or she is at this weight.
The Bottom Line
That brings to a close my two pence about the world of non-toxic bassinets. Hope this round-up helps you choose the best baby bassinet of your dreams, or rather for your newborn baby’s dreams. Let me end with a final word of caution. I would recommend you to choose bassinets that include organic mattresses, as this ensures that your child is safe from exposure to toxic materials.
Any suggestion for non-toxic mattress for the arms reach clear view? Their customer service told me they’ve discontinued their organic mattress 🙁
Hi Janie,
As for the best non-toxic crib mattress, I would recommend the ‘Naturepedic No-Compromise Organic Cotton Crib Mattress’. Just double check the dimensions to make sure they fit the arms reach. Nature coco mat is also a great option, and other brands you might want to look at are Lullaby earth, Nook pebble and Babyletto. You can read more about each of them in this article about the best non-toxic crib mattresses.
Hope this helps. Do let me know which one you decide to go for.
Having a hard time finding a bassinet and a natural non toxic mattress that fits. Would you have any recommended combos?
Hi Leah,
I can relate to the struggle. There are a lot of great options here, and you won’t go wrong choosing any of the above options. If I were to choose a combo now, I would go for the Halo bassinest from the above list, as you can buy high quality non-toxic mattress with an organic cotton cover sheet by Halo that fit really well with the Halo bassinest. I’ve reviewed this replacement mattress as well if you’d like to scroll down in my co-sleeper guide, all the way to the section about mattresses.
Other great options are Stokke and Arm’s reach, as they’re both great brands that make some of the best bassinets. (not to confuse you but just thought I’d include these options as well)