To buy... or not to buy? The Bassinette

Amanda Jephtha writes.

From the frou-frou, flouncy bassinettes from the 80s, to the contemporary teepee inspired suspended cradles, bassinettes can be as different as chalk and cheese. But do you actually need one?

Bassinettes are used for a relatively short period of time; about 3-6 months, depending on the size of the baby and the bassinette. Due to their small size, they can be moved easily around the house, for both sleep and play time. Bassinettes suspended from the ceiling are designed with mobility in mind; anchor points can be installed in key locations (inside, outside or at mum’s), so no matter where you are, your baby can sleep and play in a familiar environment.

Your baby can be placed directly into a cot from birth, saving you the added expense of a bassinette. Many babies, though, find the open space of a cot overwhelming compared to the confines of the womb, and may find sleeping difficult. A bassinette is a great option for these babies, as it provides the cocooning effect - just like your belly.

But how will you transition your baby from the bassinette to the cot with minimal disruption? Will your baby be a creature of habit and protest at the relocation? Should you just place your baby in the cot from the start to save the potential hassle?

One option is to place the cot in the exact same position as the bassinette. Once your baby has settled into the cot, move the cot into its proper location; the key is to change one thing at a time. If this isn’t possible, simply reverse the sequence. Move the bassinette into the cot’s position until your baby is familiar with the new surroundings, then make the transition into the cot.

And what will you do with the bassinette once your baby has moved into the cot? Will it end up in the depths of the garage, along with all the other baby paraphernalia? Will the bassinette be just another expense to add to the evergrowing collection?

If space (both in the house during its use and later during storage) is a problem, you can buy a bassinette which sits inside the cot, suspended by the cot’s rails to allow for gentle motion. You can adjust this type of bassinette to tilt on an angle, which is particularly handy for windy babies. They also take up much less space once dismantled compared to a full bassinette.

Remember, every baby (and parent) is different, and will have their own hidden agenda. To buy… or not to buy? You be the judge!