A 2008 "Journal of Pediatrics" found that the usage of bassinets as a sleeping situation for small babies increased 20 percent in 14 years. Some might wonder why the sudden surge in popularity for the bassinet, where most parents chose a separate sleeping situation for their baby in a crib and nursery. Bassinets have distinct advantages over a traditional crib and may be a better choice for your child in the first few months of his life. Consider a bassinet as a means to keeping your baby close at hand, safe and comfortable.
Safety
Bassinets are a safe alternative to traditional cribs. Bassinets are small enough to be placed in the same room as the parents, meaning that the parent is more attune to breathing problems their baby might have. Add that to the massive recall of side-lowering cribs by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission in 2009, and it is easy to see why some parents would choose to keep their baby in a simple, flat baby bassinet for the first two to three months of their lives.
Ease
A breastfeeding mother may find a bassinet more convenient for her and her baby, especially when the baby is waking up several times each night. A bassinet can be placed adjacent to the bed so that when the child awakes, the mother can breastfeed quickly and easily before going back to bed. While co-sleeping is popular, the American Association of Pediatrics recommends a separate sleeping arrangement for mother and baby, making a close-by bassinet an ideal situation.
Price
With the rising costs of health care and delivery for your baby, money may be tight around the time you bring baby home. Bassinets are a less expensive alternative to a full crib, with some Moses basket-type bassinets retailing for around $30, as of 2009. Cribs can cost hundreds of dollars, so some families might opt for a bassinet while they save money for a crib to move into.
Comfort
When your baby was in the womb, he enjoyed a sense of warmth, comfort and security that was due in most part to his tight quarters. When born, some babies are left in large cribs that can make them feel scared or uncomfortable. The small size of a bassinet may help your baby to feel more secure and calm, resulting in better sleep for you. Adding swaddling to the bassinet can also help your baby to feel more secure in a smaller, tighter space.
Considerations
Bassinets are only as safe as the parents who use them. Never leave stuffed animals, blankets or other materials in the bassinet, and the mattress should be firm. Once your child can pull herself up on her own, a bassinet is no longer a safe option, as she may fall out. While a 2008 "Journal of Pediatrics" notes that not much is known about Sudden Infant Death Syndrome and bassinets, it does note that bassinets are more popular for the first two months of life, which is the time frame where SIDS is most likely to occur. However, there is no evidence to suggest that SIDS is caused by bassinets.
