7 Best Bedside Bassinets That Attach to Bed
There is nothing comforting for mothers to have their newborns at arm reach for nighttime breastfeeding. Take a look at these 7 best bedside bassinets that attach to bed and is the only safe co-sleeping option if you want your baby close to you at night.
Whether you are recovering from a vaginal delivery or c-section, getting up out of the bed for those nighttime feeding is hard. Not to mention, frequent nighttime wakening for newborn care during the postpartum period can seriously cause sleep deprivation for parents.
You have suffered from enough sleep-less night during your pregnancy and you deserve to get few hours of straight night sleep without compromising caring for your newborn.
If you are a parent considering safe co-sleeping, without risking suffocation by laying a baby in your bed, you need an attachable co-sleeping bed or bedside bassinet.
These bedside bassinets that attaches to bed are adjustable to the height of your bed, so you don’t have to get out of the bed when you need to breastfeed your baby or soothe your fussy baby.
In this article, I’ll guide you through everything you need to know to find the best bedside bassinets that attach to bed and give you a detailed buying guide. Let’s get right to it!
Recommended Reading :
- Clever Tips to make Bassinet More Comfortable for your Baby
- 4 Free Online Newborn Care Classes for the first time Parents-to-be
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Type of Co-sleeping Bed
There are two types of co-sleeper or bassinet available in the market.
1. Bedside bassinet that attach to bed
As name suggest, this type of bassinet attaches to parent’s bed so you can have your baby close-by on separate bed.
There are two types of bedside bassinet that attach to bed
Bassinet with three sides: This type of bassinet looks more like a crib except its open fourth side. You can make this bassinet part of your bed by attaching this open side to your bed. Only caveat with this design is that you need to make sure that there is minimum gap between your bed and the bassinet for safe co-sleeping.
Standalone Bassinet: This type of bassinet is flexible in terms of adjusting the height to match with the height of your bed, sides that can fold for accessing your baby and many other features providing the safety in the same time.
2. A Bed sharing co-sleeper
This type of co-sleeper is designed for bed sharing with baby. The main idea behind this type of co-sleeper is to reduce the risk of mother roll over a baby when they share a bed. They come in two type of designs.
One type is contoured around a baby like a large pillow with raised edges. It is of a great use if you are looking for a co-sleeper for breastfeeding. However, there are risk associated with sharing a bed with a baby.
Other type of bed sharing co-sleeper is framed with specific space for baby to sleep. This design reduces the risk of getting rolled over by mother. However, it does require lot of space in bed.
Is Co-Sleeping with my Baby Safe?
Co-sleeping with your baby is not dangerous when it is done safely. Let’s look at what is safe and unsafe way of co-sleeping.
Unsafe Co-sleeping
When you share a bed with your baby, it is considered unsafe method of co-sleeping. It increases the risk of SIDS. A research study published in Pediatrics in 2014 claims that the 69 percent of babies who died from SIDS were bed-sharing at the time of their death (1).
According of AAP, bed sharing can pose following risk to your infant:
- Getting rolled over by you
- Become trapped between your body and the sleeping surface, a wall
- Falling from an elevated surface
- Chance of suffocation by soft pillows or comforters
For the safety of your newborn, bed-sharing is not advisable. But if you are looking to bed-share with your baby, getting a framed bed-sharing co-sleeper will reduce some risk of roll over or suffocating your baby.
Safe co-sleeping
Safe co-sleeping is when you put your baby to sleep in same room as you but in separate bed. It is the safest co-sleeping practice for your newborn to avoid the risk of SIDS.
In fact, the latest AAP recommendations encourage parents to room-share with baby for at least the first six months and ideally, up to one year. Having baby nearby actually lowers the risk of SIDS by as much as 50 percent.
Bedside bassinets that attach to bed are great option for parents who want to co-sleep. Use of bedside bassinet is not only helpful in avoiding any safety pitfalls but also a way to improve sleep for both babies and their parents.
Advantages of Bedside bassinets that attach to bed
- Unlike bed sharing, attachable co-sleeper provides barrier of safety between you and your baby. You don’t need to worry about chances of suffocation by your comforter or pillow.
- You can still provide closeness that your baby needs during first few months and not worry about their safety at nighttime. Sharing a room with your baby help her develop sense.
According to James McKenna, a professor of anthropology at the University of Notre Dame
“To put baby alone in a room and close the door doesn’t help baby learn, grow and develop those sensory distinctions,” he says. “When baby first enters the world, she’s building a relationship with her mother, father or caregiver. She depends on these people to help teach her to react.”
- Laying baby in bedside co-sleeper that attach to parent’s bed will make you feel more at ease for nighttime breastfeeding or calming your baby. It will save you from getting out of your bed to get your baby for feeding meaning you can catch up on your much-needed sleep.
Guide to Selecting a Bedside Bassinet that Attach to Bed
Before you make a final purchasing decision about bedside bassinet that attach to bed, pay attention to following features.
Safety
Safety should be priority while purchasing a bedside co-sleeper for your little one than anything else.
According to the AAP, bedside bassinets may be a good option for families to make room-sharing work—as long as the bedside sleeper has a Children’s Product Certificate (CPC).
Also, it is important to use bassinet in recommended way. When your baby outweighs the recommended weight limit of bassinet, stop using it.
Design
Find something that is study and has all the safety features. You need to look for a bassinet with firm and comfortable cushions to keep baby safe and help them sleep.
There is bassinet that comes with extra features like vibration, in built music, night light. So, pick what you need. More features come with higher price tag.
Age range
Most co-sleepers or bedside bassinets are suitable for newborn during first few months of their lives. This is something that you should consider because in just few months it will be unusable.
There are some bedside co-sleepers that you can use for longer period. Those co-sleepers also come with additional features like tummy time support or playpens, but they are more expensive than the one for newborn.
Size of the bassinet
This is particularly important if you have a smaller bedroom. For bedside bassinet, you need to consider how much room is available at the side of the bed. Once you attach bassinet to bed, consider if it will be easy for you to get in and out of the bed.
Usage
Depending on the usage, you need to invest in quality product. If you are going to use it on daily basis, then you need something that is high quality and durable that you can use at home and while traveling.
But if your intention is to use it only occasionally like for traveling or visit to grandma’s house that you may want to look for something that is foldable and affordable.
Washable
Check if you can wash or spot clean the mattress of the bassinet. This is important if you have reflux baby in the house.
Ease of Use
You need to check if it easy to set up. There are some models that allow you to adjust as your baby grow. Also, you need to make sure it is easy to use as you will be accessing it at the middle of the night to feed or calm your baby.
7 Best Bedside Bassinets That Attach to Bed 2020
Now that you have decided to practice safe co-sleeping, next step would be finding the best bedside bassinet that attach to bed. Let’s get right into it.
1. Baby Delight Beside Me Dreamer Bassinet & Bedside Sleeper
Baby Delight Beside Me Dreamer is the # 1 best-seller in bedside bassinet on Amazon with more than 900, 4 to 5 rated reviews and still counting. It is affordable, safe and gives your baby all the comfort he needs to sleep soundly at nighttime or for naps.
This lightweight Beside Me Dreamer can be used as a standalone or as a bedside bassinet. In bedside sleeper mode, it snugs right up against your bed. You can easily anchor sleeper to your bed using straps that comes with bassinet.
In standalone mode, it comes with 2 rollers so you can move it from room to room for your convineance. Its tool-free easy set-up allows you to carry it wherever you go.
It has 6 level height adjustment to fit the height of any adult bed. Even if you have the lowest bed, you can still easily level it with the top of your mattress. The knobs to adjust the height of bassinet turns easily and smoothly to raise and lower the height as needed.
It comes with a fiber-fill mattress and machine washable waterproof fitted sheet so you can easily wash the sheet and keep the baby’s bed clean. However, you will need to buy extra sheets from manufacturer because you will need to change them frequently as babies are messier in nature.
For easy access to your baby for nighttime breastfeeding or comforting your fussy baby, you can simply unlock and unzip the bassinet wall that is attached to your bed.
This bedside bassinet has low barrier to allow you to see your baby while keeping them from rolling onto your bed. The last thing you want is your baby rolling into your bed!!
Another safety feature of Beside me Dreamer co-sleeper is its breathable mesh walls for air circulation when your baby is sleeping. Even if your baby accidentally presses against its wall, he can breathe easily through the holes.
This sturdy bedside bassinet comes with up to 40 lbs weight capacity. It means that it has plenty of room for baby to sleep in during the first six months or so.
Specifications
- Dimension after assembly: 37 x 22.5 x 30.8 inches
- Weight- 23.8 lbs
- Maximum weight capacity: 40 lbs
PROS
- Can be used as a standalone or as attachable bedside bassinet
- Affordable
- Easy access to baby via side wall
- High visibility to baby via breathable mess
- Tool- free easy set up
- 6 level height adjustment
- Machine washable fitted sheet
CONS
- No storage other than tiny pocket in the beck of the bassinet
- According to few customers, it may not work for higher bed setup
- Few customers complained about mattress being too thin.overtime with consistent use.
2. Mika Micky Bedside Sleeper Easy Folding Portable Crib,Grey
Another best-seller at amazon with raving 1500+, 4 to 5 stars review. It is the best bedside bassinet for breastfeeding or c-section mothers who wants to practice safe co-sleeping with their babies.
Mika Micky bedside sleeper can be used as a standalone or as a bedside bassinet that attach to parent’s bed. You can easily fasten it to your bed with two straps provided to attach it to your bed. It comes with built-in four wheels with breaks to enable moving from one room to another in standalone position without hurting your floor. Provided carry bag comes in handy when you want to take this sleeper with you somewhere.
It has 7 height adjustment meaning that you can get it to snug to your bed at right height as long as your bed is between 18 to 26 inches high.
t comes with a comfortable firm mattress and washable fitted sheets. Also, you can buy the Mika Micky waterproof sheets to have extras to fit this model.
For easy access to your baby for nighttime feeding, mesh side zips down. It also comes with extra to pockets to store a bottle or a pacifier or a burp rag for easy access at night.
This bedside co-sleeper comes with two-sided breathable mesh which is great for air circulation when baby is sleeping in the bassinet. However, mesh does not go all the way down to the mattress level, which could pose a risk of suffocation if baby presses herself to the wall.
Mica Mickey bedside bassinet comes with up to 33 lbs weight limits. It means that your baby can sleep in this bassinet for 5 months.
Specifications
- Dimension: 36 x 12 x 22 inches
- Weight- 24.1 lbs
- Maximum weight capacity: 33 lbs
PROS
- Can be used as a standalone or as attachable bedside bassinet
- Affordable
- Easy access to baby via side wall
- Tool- free easy set up
- 7 level height adjustment
- Machine washable fitted sheet
- Two storage pockets on each side
CONS
- Only two-sided mesh and it doesn’t go down to the mattress level
- According to few customers, mattress is too firm.
3. Arm’s Reach Concepts Mini EZEE 2 in 1 Co-Sleeper Bassinet – White
The Arm reach company is providing safe sleep options for parents for so long that they know what works best for breastfeeding or c-section moms. It offers many features that other brands lack.
This standalone or bedside Arm’s Reach Concepts Mini Ezee Co-Sleeper is easy to strap it to your bed for nighttime breastfeeding or soothing your little one. In-built two wheels makes it easy to carry it to another room for your convenience and a carry case comes in handy when you want to go to grandma’s for a night. This mini co-sleeper is great if you have a smaller bedroom and can fold down into a compact shape for storage or travel.
This baby side sleeper can reach 35 inch height. Its design enables you to sleep at the same level as your baby. It means that if you have a higher bed you need to purchase length extensions.
This baby co-sleeper crib comes equipped with a firm mattress, a nylon strap for locking in the bassinet, and a washable fitted sheet.
For accessing your baby at nighttime, the side comes down easy and if you want your baby to sleep alone you can raise it up. This bedside co-sleeper is great for transitioning your baby from co-sleeping to independent sleeping.
The Arm Reach bassinet comes with lots of storage space. It has storage pockets at each side and a spacious bottom compartment where you can store diapers, baby cloths, towels, burp rags and much more. You can turn this bottom compartment into a small baby closet if you like!!
The Arm Reach bassinet has great breathability due to its four-sided mesh wall. So, there is no risk of suffocation even if your baby presses to the wall.
Specifications
- Dimension: 34 x 20.5 x 32 inches
- Weight- 23 lbs
- Maximum weight capacity: For babies 0-5 months or until baby can pull itself up
PROS
- A trusted brand
- Compact design
- Standalone or attachable bedside bassinet
- 4 -inch sleeping nest height
- Lots of storage space
- Reaches 35 inch height
- Machine washable fitted sheet
CONS
- Need to purchase length extension if you have a higher bed
- Requires assembly
- Locking mechanism is tricky
- According to few customers, mattress is too firm.
4. Baby Bassinet, RONBEI Bedside Sleeper
The Baby Bassinet by RONBEI is another great bedside sleeper bassinet comes with choice of four neutral fabrics to go with your decor. Like other brands in this list, Ronbei Baby Bassinet can be used as a standalone or as a bedside bassinet.
It has nine height adjustment so it can fit even the tallest parent’s bed easily. You can adjust the leg height to 26.5 inches off the ground. This sturdy bassinet is one of the most stable bassinets in this list with legs that can go further under the bed.
This bassinet comes with firm foam mattress, machine washable sheet and detachable side fabric for easy clean. Another unique feature of this bassinet is that you can elevate either end of the mattress to couple of inches, which is great to help baby with reflux.
The two-sided mesh is soft and breathable and rest of the fabric in the bassinet is made from a microfiber, so it won’t be scratchy for your newborn.
For nighttime feeding or soothing your baby, you can easily zip down the side of the wall halfway. So, even if you keep it unzipped for rest of the night, there is no chance of baby roll over to your bed as there is a bar that separated you from a baby.
As a bonus this model comes with music box, that can come in handy as baby gets older.
Specifications
- Dimension: 26 x 32 x 15 inches
- Weight- 24.3 lbs
- Maximum weight capacity: 20 lbs (0-6 months)
PROS
- Standalone or attachable bedside bassinet
- Available in four neutral fabric color
- Very spacious and 9 height adjustment – great for tall bed
- Removable and machine washable sheet and side fabrics
- Easy, tool-free assembly
- Incline design – great for reflux baby
- Comes with music box as bonus
CONS
- No extra pockets for storage
- Only two-sided mesh
- Mattress is too firm with little to no padding
- Little hard to access baby because of a bar after unzipping the side
5. HALO Bassinet Glide Sleeper
Well known brand among parents, HALO Bassinet glide sleeper is an excellent bedside bassinet that attach the bed with base that glide under the bed. It glides easily across any floor space, including carpet to keep baby close to you.
This bedside bassinet or co-sleeper has four height adjustment and adjusts to fit your bed as long as height of your bed is between 24 o 34 inches. Base of this bassinet requires tucking under bed so as long as you have 32 inches clearance from wall you are good to go.
HALO bedside bassinet comes with machine washable fitted sheet and waterproof mattress, so you don’t have to worry about baby’s spit ups.
The bassinet has four-sided mesh wall for maximum breathability and visibility at night.
For easy access to your baby for nighttime feeding, the side wall lowers with a gentle pressure of your forearms.
This bassinet has large storage pockets on each side to store a bottle, pacifier or other baby essential for easy access.
Specifications
- Dimension: 33.5 x 18.5 x 7.5 inches (The Bassinet is 30 x 17 inches)
- Weight- 24.3 lbs
- Maximum weight capacity: 20 lbs (0-6 months)
PROS
- Bedside bassinet
- 4 height adjustment
- Machine washable sheet and side fabrics
- Easy, tool-free assembly
- Four-sided mesh
- Large pockets for storage
CONS
- Retractable side wall so may not suit parents who want to really co-sleep overtime with consistent use.
6. Dream On Me Skylar Bassinet & Bedside Sleeper
The Skylar bassinet and bedside sleeper is another affordable, lightweight and mobile bassinet designed to meet all the child safety features. It attaches to the bed with legs that fold inward to keep baby close to you for easy access at night.
Its five positions height adjustment allows it to go with any size bed. The base of this bassinet tucks inside the bed and for additional security, the bassinet comes with strap to secure the bassinet to your bed frame.
The Skyler comes in three, soft non allergenic fabric colors -black, gray and mint to accommodate your style. The sturdy bassinet comes with machine washable fitted sheet and 1-inch mattress pad.
Two-sided mesh ensures easy viewing and breathability of your baby. For nighttime feeding, you can easily unzip and roll down the mesh side for easy access to baby.
Specifications
- Dimension: 35.5 x 22 x 27 inches
- Weight- 18.65 lbs
- Maximum weight capacity: 25 lbs (0-6 months)
PROS
- Can be used as a Standalone or Bedside bassinet
- 5 height adjustment
- 3 fabric colors to choose from
- Machine washable sheet
- Easy, tool-free assembly
- Two-sided mesh
CONS
- No pockets for storage
- May not be suitable for higher bed
7. Arm’s Reach Concepts Ideal 3 in 1 Co-Sleeper Bassinet – Grey
The Arm’s Reach Concepts co-sleeper bassinet is the only bassinet in this list that can be used in 3 modes – bedside bassinet or co-sleeping bassinet, standalone and play yard. With this investment you can get a lot out of it!! As baby grow older, you can easily turn it into playpen.
It is ideal as a bedside bassinet for beds that start at heights of 24 inches. Like Arm’s reach another model in this list, its design allows you to sleep at same height level of your baby.
It comes with firm mattress, fitted sheet with Velcro and travel bag. In-built wheels at the base of the bassinet allows easy moving around the house for your convenience.
With the Arm’s Reach bassinet, you don’t need to worry about storage space. It has 4 inch side pockets to store baby essential for easy reach.
Four-sided mesh provides excellent breathability and visibility. You can easily fold mesh side for easy accessing your baby for feeding or soothing.
Specifications
- Dimension: 39.50 x 25.25 x 32.00 inches
- Weight- 28 lbs
- Maximum weight capacity :For babies 0-5 months or until baby can pull itself up
PROS
- 3-in-1 concept
- Reaches 24 inches height
- Excellent ventilation
- Assembly required
- Four-sided mesh
- Large pockets for storage
CONS
- Need to purchase Leg extensions for beds higher than 24″
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you elevate a Bassinet Mattress?
When baby is down with cold or congestion, first thing we do is propping their bed to help them breathe easy. According to AAP putting babies to sleep fat on their backs does not increase the risk of choking or aspiration, even in babies with reflux. Also, “elevating the head of the infant’s crib is not effective in reducing reflux. It may result in the infant sliding to the foot of the crib into a position that may compromise respiration and therefore is not recommended” says the AAP. Therefore, elevating a bassinet mattress is not recommended.
Can a Baby Sleep in a Bassinet Overnight?
Actually, laying baby to sleep in bassinet overnight is the safest way of co-sleeping. As mentioned earlier, safe co-sleeping reduces the risk of baby falling off the bed and you don’t need to worry about you roll over your baby or suffocating them with your pillow or blanket.
How long do Baby Sleep in a Bassinet?
Most babies move into crib at around 12 to 18 weeks. However, if your bassinet allows the weight limit and your baby is not bumping into side of the bassinet, you can let your baby sleep in a bassinet until they outgrow it.
Can Baby Sleep in their own Room from Birth?
According to AAP, parents should room share with baby for at least the first six months. Keeping baby in parents room actually lowers the risk of SIDS by as much as 50 percent.
The safest place for newborn to sleep is their own co-sleeper or bedside bassinet that attach to bed but shouldn’t be in their own room from birth.
Can a Newborn go Straight into a Crib?
It is okay to directly put baby into a crib to sleep because at some point you will have to move your baby to crib. Many parents opt for crib from birth. If you are okay with getting in and out of your bed for nighttime feeding and calming a fussy, then you can go for crib.
Ideally you want a bedside bassinet that attach to bed so your baby can be close to you and it will save you from getting out of the bed for those frequent nighttime feeding in the first few weeks/months.
Can you put a Pillow in a Bassinet?
Adding pillow or blanket or soft toys to baby’s bassinet is not recommended as it creates a suffocation hazards for babies.
Do you use Sheets in a Bassinet?
Yes, tight fitted sheet or a mattress protector is necessary for baby’s bassinet as babies are little messier. You need to have 4 to 5 sheets or mattress protector in case you need to wash one.
Having a sheet or a mattress protector keeps the mattress or pad clean.
Is Bassinet Safe for a Newborn?
A bassinet is the safest option for your newborn to sleep. You will need to make sure that you install it correctly. Improper installation may result in bassinet collapsing with an infant.
Is Bassinet really Necessary?
It really depends on what you want. If you are looking directly put your baby into crib, then you may not need a bassinet.
If you are looking for a safe co-sleeping option, then you need a bassinet. Having your baby lying in a bedside bassinet that attach to your bed is very comforting for baby and it also makes a life little easier for those frequent nighttime feeding in the first few months when you are recovering from a birth.
Conclusion
Regardless of which one out of these 7 best bedside bassinet that attach to bed you choose from it, the most important factor to consider is safety of your newborn. You will want to make sure that it is sturdy, breathable, washable and gives you easy access to your baby for nighttime breastfeeding or soothing your baby.
Most important thing to remember is to follow assembly instruction properly to avoid any accident when baby is sleeping in the bedside bassinet. For safety of your baby, refrain from adding extra padding or pillow into bassinet for comfort. There are other ways you can make bassinet more comfortable for your baby. To learn about it, read THIS article.
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References
- Colvin JD, Collie-Akers V, Schunn C, Moon RY. Sleep environment risks for younger and older infants. Pediatrics. 2014;134(2):e406-e412. doi:10.1542/peds.2014-0401
