As new parents, night times through the first 12 months can be a rite of passage. There’s no getting around night feeds or regular wake-ups. The impact on you, as a parent, can be huge without you even realizing it. Especially if each wake up means your spending hours rocking, shushing and cradling back to sleep. It may sound extreme but sleep deprivation is a form of torture.
But what if you can feed or comfort your little one back to sleep in a few minutes. Letting your little one stir or cry for too long when they wake up makes it harder to get them back to sleep.
For the first months, most parents have their little one sleeping in the same room. By having your little one next to you in a co-sleeper bassinet as soon they stir you can comfort them or feed them. Hopefully getting them back off to sleep straight away. But, there are a lot of Co-Sleeper bassinets available. This article should help you pick which is the best Co-Sleeper for you.
Best Co-Sleeper Bassinet Comparison Chart
Best Budget Choice Co-Sleeper Bassinet | Our Choice Best Co-Sleeper Bassinet | Best Premium Choice Co-Sleeper Bassinet |
Simmons Kids – By The Bed City Sleeper | Mika Micky – Bedside Sleeper | Baby Delight – Beside Me Dreamer Review |
Table Of Contents
- Things To Consider When Buying Co-Sleeper Bassinet
- Benefits of a Co-Sleeper Bassinet
- Best Co-Sleeper Bassinet Reviews
- Conclusion
Things To Consider When Buying A Co-Sleeper Bassinet
A bedside bassinet offers you the benefits of co-sleeping (letting your baby sleep in your bed with you), but with the added safety of them having their own space.
Height / Compatibility
Before making a purchase you should make sure your Co-Sleeper is compatible with your bed. Some Co-Sleepers are floor standing, others can be attached to your bed. Floor standing Co-Sleepers are usually height adjustable so you can adjust the bassinet to the same height as your bed.
Stability
As mentioned above some Co-Sleepers can be floor standing, others attach to your bed frame. Being located so close to your bed means that the size of the co-sleeper base can be smaller making it less stable. It’s probably rare but you should be confident your Co-Sleeper won’t topple over if you have a wriggly little one or accidentally bump it in the night.
Mattress Size and Shape
Before making a decision, be sure to check the mattress. Some bedside bassinets come with a mattress others need to be bought separately. The size and shape of the mattress might mean you’re limited on where you can buy bedding. Having a mattress which is a standard shape and size gives you more options for sheets.
Comfort, Cleaning, and Durability
Babies mattresses and adult mattresses are different. To support development, your baby should sleep flat on their back, on a firm mattress, with a tightly fitted sheet. There should also be no blankets or duvets so your little one can’t get tangled up in them. Lastly, whichever co-sleeper bassinet you decide on you’ll want to be confident that it will last.
Co-Sleeper Bassinet Safety
Virtually all organizations and government bodies concerned involved in child safety advise you not to co-sleep (in the same bed) with your babies. There are plenty of risks of co-sleeping.
Co-Sleeping is linked to an increased risk of SIDS. (every parent’s worst nightmare) from adult duvets etc.
When you Co-Sleep you run the risk of overlying. Overlying, this is where a parent can accidentally roll over in their sleep onto their little one which can lead to suffocation.
As mentioned above, babies should sleep on their backs and on a firm mattress. Adult mattresses are soft and have memory foam and are not ideal for your little one’s development.
This is where the benefits of a co-sleeper bassinet come in. Co-sleeper bassinets are much safer than co-sleeping. You have all the benefits of being within an arm’s reach of your baby through the night but without the additional risks.
Benefits of a Co-Sleeper Bassinet
Instant Access
Having instant access to your baby during the night is a real benefit. When your child stirs in the night for comfort or a feed you can simply reach over and tend to your little one without getting out of bed.
If your little one is in a full-size bassinet you might collect them for a night feed and take them back to your bed. Sometimes during a night feed mums can fall asleep or be too tired to take their little one back to the bassinet.
Reduces Parental Burnout
Being able to respond quickly reduces the time your little one can stir and get worked up. In turn, this often makes it easier and quicker for you to give them a feed and get them settled again, and you can both go back to sleep.
Being exhausted is an awful feeling, but parental exhaustion can seem so much worse. Broken sleep 7 nights a week and no days off. For adults parental burnout can cause:
- Lack of concentration / clumsiness
- Irritability with little ones
- Sleep disorders
- Thoughts of escape
- Even, substance abuse
Being able to feed and comfort your little one safely, without leaving your bed is the best of a challenging situation. A Co-sleeper bassinet will help you get more rest each night than if your baby was in a full-size bassinet or another room.
More Compact than a Standard Bassinet
Co-sleeper bassinets are great if you have limited free space at home. Co-sleeper bassinets are usually more compact than full-size bassinets so they can fit at the side of your bed. The only downside to this is that your little one will usually grow out of a co-sleeper bassinet earlier.
Best Co-Sleeper Bassinet Reviews
We took a look at four of the most popular Co-Sleeper Bassinets available today: They are the:
- Baby Delight Beside Me Dreamer Bassinet & Bedside Sleeper
- Mika Micky Bedside Sleeper Easy Folding Portable Crib
- Simmons Kids by The Bed City Sleeper Bassinet
- Arm’s Reach Concepts The Versatile Co-Sleeper
Baby Delight – Beside Me Dreamer Review
Pros
- Great Looking
- Includes mattress pad and waterproof cover
- Spare Sheets Available
- Easy Assembly – 3 parts
Cons
- Build quality could be better
- Low maximum height
The Good
The Beside Me Dreamer is definitely a great looking bedside bassinet made by Baby Delight. It comes with a mattress pad and a waterproof cover. Baby Delight has now started selling spare sheets, so you don’t need to worry about finding a replacement that fits. The bassinet itself has plenty of space so your little one has plenty of room to grow. The sides have breathable netting for safety, airflow and so you can see your little from all angles.
Assembling the Beside Me Dreamer is really easy, it comes in 3 parts and you won’t even need any tools. Once it’s assembled the legs slide under your bed so it can butt right up to your mattress. It also has some straps which attach directly to your mattress to give better stability for your little one and peace of mind for you.
Height adjustment has 6 settings to align with the height of your mattress. The height adjustment on the Beside Me dreamer can be set at different heights at each end, creating an inclined sleeping surface. The incline can be varied by the 6 height settings. Coughs and colds in little ones can cause very disrupted nights sleep for everyone. Letting babies sleep on an incline is often thought to help with coughs and congestion. But, please be aware that a number of leading bodies have now stated that sleeping on an incline isn’t safe for babies.
The Bad
There are mixed reports for the build quality for the Beside Me Dreamer. Some owners have found it to be a bit wobbly. The legs are the main culprit here and could be made a bit sturdier. Also, regular movement around the house, assembly or taking to pieces can make this worse. If you’re planning to travel regularly with your bedside bassinet traveling this could be an issue
A small number of parents said the base of their Beside Me Dreamer wasn’t level and this made their babies rollover. This is definitely a safety concern but it’s not clear if this is an assembly issue, random fault or design shortfall.
Height adjustment on the Beside Me Dreamer is good, but the max height is quite low. Make sure you measure the height of your mattress before buying to check that the Beside Me Dreamer can reach a similar height. The maximum height of the base is 18””. If you have a very big bed the straps to secure the Beside Me Dreamer might not reach all the way across.
Whilst babies are supposed to sleep on a firm mattress for development the mattress included is very firm which might be uncomfortable for your little one. Lastly, most of the materials used on the Beside Me Dreamer are breathable but a few aren’t. This could be improved if Baby Delight plans to update the Beside Me Dreamer.
Overall Verdict
The Beside Me Dreamer scored quite well in this Best Co-Sleeper Bassinet review. It sits towards the top end of the price range for a co-sleeper bassinet. There’s still room for improvement. But, if you have a low mattress and you’re looking for a great looking, functional co-sleeper bassinet without any gadget type features this could be for you.
Mika Micky – Bedside Sleeper Easy Folding Portable Crib Review
Pros
- Easy access zip down side panel
- Plenty of mileage
- Easy assembly
- Lightweight
- Secure with bed straps
Cons
- Could be sturdier
Peaceful Little Sleepers Rating – Our Choice Best Co-Sleeper Bassinet
The Good
You can adjust the bedside sleeper to seven different heights to match the height of your mattress. The side panel zips down so you can reach over and feed or soothe your baby in the night without getting up. You can get more mileage out of the bedside sleeper by zipping the side back up and using it as a normal bassinet
Assembling the bedside sleeper is easy and only takes a few minutes. Fold-out the legs, screw in the internal support frame, zip the cover on and lastly attach the lower looking bar and you’re done. Folding back up is also easy and it’s not too bulky for traveling with. There is also plenty of space, so your baby shouldn’t outgrow the bedside sleeper.
The frame and bassinette are quite lightweight to make moving or carry easier. All of the legs have casters at the bottom so can wheel the bedside sleeper from room to room if needed. This means you can use the bedside sleeper as a safe space to put your baby down during the day
To help secure the bedside sleeper, it comes with some straps that attach to the metal frame and also to your bed. The straps are adjustable and can be pulled tight to make it extra secure
The bedside sleeper comes with its own mattress and baseboard so that it’s firm and stable enough for your little one. It also has a couple of little pockets at each end for you to store wipes and toys etc. Spare mattress covers are available if you need them.
The Bad
One of the downsides of furniture being easy to set up is that it can seem a bit flimsy or flexible. It seems sometimes this is the case for the Bedside Sleeper.
You should check the height of your mattress before you consider buying the bedside sleeper. The Bedside sleeper has a max height of 26” so might not be suitable for higher beds. Height can only be adjusted to 7 settings which could have a wider range.
Other bedside bassinets use mesh materials to reduce the risk to your baby if they roll over in the night. Some of the materials used in the bedside sleeper are not made from mesh, so they could present a risk. On Need to make sure that the base is level of you little one old slip to a lower side
Overall Verdict
The Mika Mickey Bedside Sleeper is definitely a solid choice if you’re looking for a co-sleeper bassinet that you can use for a long time. Being able to zip the side back up and use it as a normal bassinet could mean you don’t need to look for a replacement bassinet as soon. There are areas for improvement like the use of mesh materials. On the whole, the Beside Me Sleeper scored well in this Best Co-Sleeper Bassinet review.
Simmons Kids – By The Bed City Sleeper Bassinet Review
Pros
- Great for small spaces
- Removable fabric for easy washing
- Can be positioned over your bed
- Handy little side pockets
Cons
- Shallow bassinet
- Could be easier to move on carpet
Peaceful Little Sleepers Rating – Budget Best Co-Sleeper Bassinet
The Good
The By the Bed City Sleeper is a compact co-sleeper bassinet, ideal if you have limited space. The design of the co-sleeper bassinet is modern, sleek and simple, it’s also really easy to assemble. You can easily do it on your own, it only needs four bolts screwing in.
Height adjustment is in 1-inch increments, between 22 and 27 inches (from the floor to the top of your bed). The ‘Z’ shaped frame allows you to position the bassinette slightly over your bed, depending on the height of your mattress. So you can be extra close to your little one all night. The base has extendable legs, with wheels, which slide under the bed for extra stability.
Mesh side panels make it easy for you to see into the bassinet, they also reduce the safety risk if your little one rolls over in the night. A real plus point is the removable bassinet fabric. Being able to take this off and put it in the wash really takes the headache out of keeping the co-sleeper clean.
Moving the By the Bed City Sleeper is easy because of its lightweight construction. It comes with a waterproof mattress and a fitted sheet. You can buy replacement sheets if needed, but if you’re ever in dire straights you can use a large pillowcase as an extra sheet instead. It’s got some handy little side pockets at the end of the co-sleeper, so you can store stuff for changing your little one.
The Bad
The By the Bed City Sleeper is a compact and functional co-sleeper bassinet but some issues do crop up. Some owners have complained about the build quality of the co-sleeper. Issues like the base legs not extending and poor fit and finish of the frame crop up more than once.
The base only has wheels on the side where the legs go under the bed. Depending on the floor surface, this can make moving the By the Bed City Sleeper more difficult. On a flat surface like wood or tiles, this isn’t much of a problem. But on a deep carpet or rug, the legs without wheels really can dig in. It could be better to have wheels on all four legs which you can lock in position.
Unlike some bassinets, the By the Bed City Sleeper doesn’t have any straps which attach to your bed. It seems to rely on being next to your bed for stability. So it can seem unstable if you are using it as a stand-alone bassinet.
The By the Bed City Sleeper bassinet is quite shallow. This might be a concern if your baby is close to rolling over or wriggling about. Lastly, it’s only recommended from birth to 5 months. So if your baby is big or an early developer they might outgrow the By the Bed City Sleeper quickly.
Overall Verdict
The By the Bed City Sleeper really does appeal if you have limited space. The Z frame design is different from the others in this Best Co-Sleeper bassinet review. Allowing you to position the co-sleeper next to the bed or over the bed makes it really flexible at night time.
It could be a little studier or easier to move but that might affect the flexibility. We’d recommend the By the Bed City Sleeper as the Best Co-Sleeper bassinet for small spaces.
Arm’s Reach Concepts – The Versatile Co-Sleeper Review
Pros
- Includes music box
- Includes clip-on mobile
- Bassinet very well supported
- Large mattress height range
Cons
- Music box and mobile could be added separately
- Cannot strip the bassinet from the frame to wash
Peaceful Little Sleepers Rating – Most Additional Features
The Good
The Versatile Co-Sleeper is a modern bassinet from Arms Reach and comes packed with added features. The compact design makes it ideal if you have limited space.
The frame of the versatile co-sleeper makes it very stable. There are a number of bars and cross beams which make the whole frame very sturdy. There is also a wide beam that runs under the length of the bassinet for extra support. The legs at the base are telescopic so they can extend under your bed. You can also retract them if your bed goes all the way to the floor or you’re using the Versatile Co-sleeper against a wall.
Similar to the By The Bed City Sleeper, the frame of the Versatile Co-sleeper allows you to raise the bassinet so it can extend over your bed, mattress height permitting. The range of heights the bassinet can be set to is 20 to 30 inches in one-inch increments. Giving the versatile co-sleeper one of the biggest height ranges.
The versatile co-sleeper comes with a music box and mobile that attach to the side of the bassinet. The music plays three nature sounds, one ocean sound, and one mother’s womb sound. The mobile includes some color rings and hanging toys.
Like the other co-sleeper bassinets here the versatile co-sleeper comes with a mattress and fitted sheet. You can also buy more spare sheets if needed.
Side panels on the versatile co-sleeper are mesh for the vast majority. So you can see your baby through the walls. The only sections which are not made from mesh material are the bits right next to the frame and bassinet support.
Lastly, assembling the versatile co-sleeper is straight forward. There are more parts and connections than some of the other co-sleeper bassinets reviewed here. But it can easily be done on your own.
The Bad
At the bottom of the frame, there are wheels to move the versatile co-sleeper around, but they’re only the back. So, if you have soft carpet the front of the frame can dig in.
The bassinet doesn’t have a fold downside. The top of the bassinet is slightly lower on the side closest to the bed, and it isn’t as deep as others. But, you will still need to reach in a lift your little one out of the bassinet if they wake in the night.
Whilst the mobile and music box are extra features that other co-sleeper bassinets here don’t have, the music choices and the sound quality are limited. There are plenty of other baby noise machines available. There are also plenty of other clips on mobiles available. You could buy a cheaper bassinet and find a separate noise machine and mobile afterward with more options.
The bassinet fabric is very robust with the frame and the supports, but you can’t strip the versatile co-sleeper down and wash the fabric separately. Lastly, the versatile co-sleeper is intended for infants up to a weight of 18 pounds or when the child begins to push up on hands and knees. For early developing infants this might limit how much use you get from the versatile co-sleeper.
Best Co-Sleeper Bassinet Review – Overall Verdict
The Versatile Co-Sleeper certainly comes with lots of added features that other co-sleeper bassinets don’t have in this review. The extra support the frame provides to the bassinet really adds confidence. But all this comes at a cost. By buying some of the features separately there’s a chance you could end up with a co-sleeper bassinet with the same benefits but with more choice.
Best Co-Sleeper Bassinet Review Conclusion
So that wraps up the Peaceful Little Sleepers review of the best co-sleeper bassinets. We’ve only covered a handful of the co-sleeper bassinets available in this review and we’ll include more in the future. The co-sleeper bassinets have different pros and cons here and it’s important that map your own situation to those pros and cons before making a purchase.
- Mika Micky – Bedside Sleeper Easy Folding Portable Crib – Best Co-Sleeper Bassinet Review Our Choice
- Baby Delight – Beside Me Dreamer Review – Best Co-Sleeper Bassinet Review Premium Choice
- Simmons Kids – By The Bed City Sleeper Bassinet – Best Co-Sleeper Bassinet Review Best Budget Choice
- Arm’s Reach Concepts – The Versatile Co-Sleeper – Best Co-Sleeper Bassinet Review Best Additional Features
If you have any comments or questions, please leave them in the comments section below. We hope this review was valuable to you.
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