Bassinet Advice

I sure LOVED the bassinet in the room concept. In fact, my poor babies stayed in them until they were 3 months or maybe a bit more because they slept so well in them. Finally when they were looking cramped in there I would move them over to the crib but always feared they would start waking up again. Needless to say, I have used the same bassinet for all three just because I never found one I liked better. It is a Koalacraft, it is neutral in color for boys or girls, it has music, vibration, nature sounds, lights and a mobile, it also has a space below it to keep diapers, blankets. etc. and you can put the wheels on the bottom to roll it around or take them off and it will rock. It is the best! I actually have it in my daughters room and keep her diapers and stuffed animals in it now.

You can get it at Target. Good luck with the new little one.

We used a bassinet in our room for a while, and it was rather nice to have one with wheels so we could put it other rooms when necessary. Other than that, it was used for such a short time that I don't think it mattered much what kind it was. (In our case, we "bought" it from a neighbor for a case of beer, so the price was right!) I'd vote for finding something cheap that's safe and doesn't creak - wheels would be a plus. Good luck with number 2!

I would save some money and use your Pack & Play. It's only for two months and it worked fine for my daughter. If you look close most of the reasonalby priced bassinets are a lot lower quality than your Pack & Play.

We loved our Arm's Reach Mini Co-sleeper. It can attach to your bed to serve as a co-sleeper or be used as a stand-alone bassinet. We used it as a bassinet. Look on Craigslist to find a used one if money is an issue. The resale value is great on these as well - we bought a used one on Craigslist for $75 and re-sold it on Craigslist for $85! I know money isn't the most important thing at all but these days, it's nice to save a little extra when you can.

So I am one of the thrifty people who say, 'unless you have no debt except for your house, I would just make due with what you have, it is such a short time, there is no need to go buy a bassinet if you aren't having 5 other kids to make it worth it. Babies don't care what they sleep in. Borrow one or just do without.

I have used bassinets, pack n plays & cribs. My first choice is the crib if space allows for one, but since you can'tr use one I recommend the pack n play. My children never slept in the bassinets I bought no matter how cheap or expensive they were. Good luck!

Make it a GREAT week!

S.

Hi!
I used my Graco Pack and Play for the first 4 months, and it worked really well. We moved to a different house, and now it doesn't fit in our bedroom because it is so large. So you might want to make sure that whatever you choose fits well. My friend used a rocking cradle, which I thought looked great, but her baby hated it. So I guess it depends on the baby. Good luck and congratulations on your upcoming arrival!

Hi there,congratulations on the new little one ,well ,I never really used a basssinet, because they grow so fast , my daughter,now 7 loved her crib since day one, and slept throught the night at 9 weeks ,my son 4 slept in our room in the Graco pack and play ( bassinet erea) , he slept there for a 1 1/2 months , then went to his crib , I think if you have money spluge on a bassinet, put if you are more practical use the pack and play ,I think it is great for the first month or so,it goes so fast and bassinets are really not cheap , good luck with your decision.

Our second son is 3 weeks old now, and we're using the pack n play bassinet and changing table combo in our room. I think the bassinet does seem a little cramped compared to a regular bassinet, but our son is doing fine sleeping in it so far. He seems to like how small and snuggly the area is, especially when he startles and begins to flail around. We also have a regular crib set up in his room, and I'm trying to have him sleep in there during the day to get used to it, but then sleep in the pack n play bassinet at night to make feedings easier. And having the changing table right there is so nice. Originally I had wanted to get a regular bassinet, but then we wouldn't have had room for a changing table, so we went with the combo unit in order to have both pieces of furniture in our room and close by for night-time use. We're planning to have him sleep in the pack n play until he's only waking up once a night (he will be sharing a room with his older brother), and so far it's working really well for us.

we got the arms reach co sleeper mini and I loved it because it is right up next to the bed so you don't have to get out of bed to get the baby at night but you are also not sleeping with the baby right there in the bed. it went through my baby, 2 sis' babies and 1 brothers baby and is headed to another bro's house. it's still in perfect condition--buy a couple extra sets of sheets and you'll be good to go.

Congratulations!! I have pretty much looked into and used everything for my three babies.

I looked into the mini co-sleeper. It's nice for the size, but then you can't use it as a regular play yard after that - it only works as a bassinet. If you buy new, I don't think it's worth the money, but you might be able to find a great deal for a used one on ebay or craig's list.

I set up our graco pack'n'play with the bassinet and changing table for all three of my kids. I loved it! It was very convenient for diaper changes and the bassinet gave the baby a cozy space to stay. The only downside is that you actually have to stand up or sit up and reach down to pick up the baby for those night feedings (which is hard to do when your stomach muscles aren't in the best shape!!). But, it's nice to have if you want a seperate space for the baby. My son just turned 8 months old, and he used the bassinet until about 7 1/2 months (it's rated for 20 lbs, which he isn't yet, but he was pulling up on things).

I also bought one of those nesting beds that can go into your bed for my second son. If you have a big enough bed (we have a king), it's nice because the baby can lay in it and you don't worry about someone getting too close to them - it has hard sides and a night light that helps in the middle of the night. It also is very compact and folds up nicely for traveling, and it's not too costly. I bought one at a consignment store for $15.

I have also co-slept with all my babies, and it has worked out very nicely. I love being close to them and they have enjoyed it as well. It makes night nursing very easy!!! If you don't have a lot of room, this is a good option, as long as you and your husband are comfortable with it. I've also never had a problem with transitioning them into their crib.

Good luck!!

We used the Pack and Play with the bassinet portion for the first several months with both of our kids and I think it worked out well. We then transitioned them into their crib from there.

We lived in a 1BR apt when our first son was born so we didn't have room for a crib-it sat in the box in the living room until we moved into a 2BR. My boys each slept in the bassinet until they were 6 mos old.
I had a pack & play for travel (just a basic one, my boys slept on the regular bottom pad) & a rocking bassinet in our room. It had wheels that could be locked to stop rolling or rocking. I found it at a secondhand children's store (look there, look on www.craigslist.org -just be careful to take somebody w/you to pick it up & pick up in a public spot if possible). Keep in mind that you'll be reaching over still half-asleep so you want it as easy as possible to access. I had a blue & white checked version of this (http://www.cribs.com/cribs/bassinets/bassinetncradlewitht...) If you can find something similar for a good price, I recommend that. I paid $50 & it was in great condition. I used to pop the top off for visits to my sister's house & put my baby in the bassinet top & the toddler in the pack & play.
My toddler liked to hide in the bottom part, but I normally just kept extra receiving blankets & night time emergency supplies (spare outfit, diapers, wipes, burp rags) in the bottom & not kids lol

Not exactly a bassinet but we have an Amby Baby Hammock www.ambybaby.com and ABSOLUTELY love it. I used w/my first child until he turned 1 - then brought it out for our little girl - she's 6 months and still sleeps in it. It is awesome - very close and comforting - super safe (never a case of SIDS w/a baby in a hammock) and so convenient...I can't say enough good things.

K.

We had a bassinet next to our bed as well, and while I like the convenience of it, I wish I hadn't had to sit all the way up in bed to bring the baby to me when he needed it. My suggestion would actually be a co-sleeper for those nights when you are only half awake to make it that much easier to bring the baby to you.

Hi, H.. We had the same pak-n-play with bassinet attachment. That's what our son slept in the 1st couple months without a problem (he's 1 now). It was nice to have that set-up with the changing table attachment also for those middle of the night diaper changes the 1st few weeks. We had everything we needed right there in the room with us. And it made sense for us not to have to buy something pricey & only use it for a few weeks just to have to find a place to store it later. =)

I also use the arm's reach co-sleeper and I LOVE it - you can get the mini which only goes up to 20-something pounds or the full which has a higher weight limit. My son loves it and so do I. I can reach in and touch him or just check on him easily from the edge of the bed with no worries. You can get them in great used condition from Craigslist too (that is what I did). Good luck with the new little one!

I have three chidlren and we finally gave away our crib because we completely prefer to use the Arms' Reach Co-Sleeper. It's by far the best piece of baby gear we own. I am so much more rested for keeping my babies near me--I never have to get UP to nurse them and can roll them back into the co-sleeper when they're done. Sometimes you can find them on eBay. I have the Original size, which is large enough for a couple extra blankets and books 9it's practically my nightstand table ;) but there are Mini size ones too, if space is at a premium. est wishes!