Bassinet vs Crib vs Pack n Play

Bassinet vs Crib vs Pack n Play: Which is the best for your baby

Are you torn between buying a bassinet or a crib or a pack and play? Well, that makes many of you. There are various types of baby care products in the market today, all thanks to innovation. In a situation where these products serve similar purposes, it is natural to be confused about which one would be the best fit for you and your baby.

As you are aware, sleep is very important in the growth process of any baby. Also, babies sleep more in the afternoon because they have not adjusted to the usual pattern yet. Oh yes, nature does not really about your schedules and activities.

Due to this situation, many innovative things have been made in the market for the baby to sleep (and play in). Among the long list, cribs, bassinets, playpens, and pack and playsets are especially popular. It is therefore common to see questions about which of them is the right choice.

If that is the situation, you don’t need to sweat it. In this article, we will explore these products differently, make comparisons and suggest the best course of action. Let us start with bassinets, shall we? Hang on; you don’t want to miss this.

What is a bassinet?

The bassinet is coined from a French expression that means little basket. Bassinets are little beds designed for new babies to sleep. It is a foldable cradle that allows parents access to their newborns and babies between 0-4 months of age. They are most times placed by the bedside of the mom. That is, these structures are primarily designed for babies (below 5 months old) to sleep.

These little structures are designed with frames to keep the baby from rolling off. Bassinets sometimes also have wheels for the sole purpose of mobility. Ideally, bassinets do not have a canopy because isn’t accessibility the goal?

However, some brands design their bassinets because of protection from whatever threat there is to the baby.
In recent times, bassinets have been made to have stronger frames because of weight differences in babies.

Aside from that, the increase in weight also caters to inclusivity – babies older than 5 months old can also use bassinets.

In addition to the above, some bassinets are designed with extra features to serve various purposes. Some of these include mobility (to provide a rocking sensation to the baby), toys (to engage the baby), and many more.

Bassinets generally appear in this form: a base that either rests directly on the floor or stays anchored on stands. They have no sides, but they are firm mattresses that the baby can sleep on. Since the time of its innovation, it has been credited with the reduction of infant mortality. Let us check out some of the pros and cons of the bassinet.

You can take a quick look at the different types of Bassinets available and their cost here 

Pros

The bassinet is advantageous in the following ways;

• A bassinet is usually compact. It would easily fit into almost any room size without contributing a nuisance to the occupants
• A bassinet is very easy to move about. Therefore, irrespective of how far your journey is or where you are, the baby can get some sleep while you monitor.

Cons

There are certain drawbacks to a bassinet. These drawbacks include;

• A bassinet is not ubiquitous in any way. The baby product market – as of today is favorable to products that can serve multiple functions at the same time.
• The bassinet is built for sleeping babies and nothing else.
  Babies outgrow this structure easily.
• Besides, when the bassinet is too big, the baby may be predisposed to get entangled in the mesh and, as a consequence, suffocating. Therefore, if you want you to need is something for long-term use, a bassinet is not your ideal option.

What are baby cribs

A crib means a baby’s bed. When your baby outgrows its bassinet, you may want to consider a crib. A crib is a small bed with high sides designed for a toddler to sleep in. It is larger than a bassinet. These baby sleep structures have been around for quite some time. Due to that, brand designs have evolved to produce different types of cribs for different purposes. The known types of cribs include

• Convertible cribs
• Travel crib
• Traditional cribs
• Combo cribs.
• Cribs are generally known to be sturdier and more durable. In addition, unlike bassinets and pack and playsets, they have no weight limit.

You can take a quick look at the different types of Cribs available and their cost here 

Pros

There are some benefits exclusive to using cribs. What are they?

• Cribs are more durable. If you want something for long-term usage, you may want to consider a baby crib.
• They have no weight limit; by the time babies outgrow cribs, they are old enough to sleep on beds of their own.
• They have a bigger size to accommodate a baby’s height, irrespective of their rate of growth.
• Cribs are safe. Besides, you can adjust them to make them comfortable for your baby.
• Cribs are re-usable

Cons

Here are some of the downsides of a baby crib;

• They are not as portable as bassinets or pack and playsets
• They occupy a lot of space. Therefore, they are not ideal for small rooms
• They are not optimal for travelling
• A baby is not very cost-effective.
• They are not versatile. You can only use them for sleeping (except, of course, if you buy a convertible crib).

Pack n Play

A pack and play are like an upgraded version of a bassinet. It is essentially a combination of a playpen and a sleeping area for a baby. The pack and play is recent when compared to cribs and bassinets. Typically, a pack and play have a frame that holds it together. The play area is divided from the mat under a mesh.

The selling point of these products is portability. They are very easy to fold and move from one place to the other.
Aside from those, pack and playsets have extra features – like toys, sound systems, vibrating structures. After all, they are designed to allow babies to play safely when the mom is not looking.

You can take a quick look at the different types of Pack n play available and their cost here 

Pros

• Here are some of the advantages of using a pack and play
• It is very cost effective. You can meet two important baby needs in one product
• It is usually lightweight, foldable, and consequently, very portable.
• If you need versatility, then a pack and play is your best bet.
• It is very comfortable for the baby and the parent.
• It allows the patent more me time.

Cons

What are the cons of the pack and playset?

• It occupies a whole lot of space too.
• It can be not easy to assemble – especially when it is new
• It is not as durable as a crib or a standard bassinet.
• There are too many safety requirements you have to follow to use a pack and play.
• Pack and playsets have sizing complications. For safety, you are advised to use a set that is 10% of your baby’s weight. This could be an issue if your baby grows rapidly.
• Babies outgrow pack and playsets as easily (if not more easily) than they outgrow bassinets.

Comparison between a Bassinet, A crib, and a Pack n play

All the products discussed above have some features unique to them. Let us examine some of the differences between these products.

Size

These products are of various sizes (and for different reasons). A bassinet is smaller and more compact in comparison to a crib or a pack and playset. A pack and play set occupies space because of the extra features it has. On the other hand, a crib occupies space due to the primary function it is meant to serve.

Weight

Pack and playset are built with different weights for different age groups. They can be heavier or lighter than a bassinet. A crib, on the other hand, is naturally built to be heavy.

Age specificity

Bassinets are built primarily for infants and newborns. Pack and playsets are built to accommodate babies up to 18 months of age. Cribs can handle babies of all ages up to 2 years of age. The build of individual products is reflective of these considerations.

Portability

Pack and playsets and bassinets are easier to move around when compared to a crib. A pack and playset are foldable and can be disassembled. Bassinets are generally lightweight and small; some of them can be disassembled too. Cribs, on the other hand, are built to be stationary – except the convertible cribs.

Cost

The pack and playset are more cost-effective when compared to a bassinet or a crib. You could gauge their cost-effectiveness in this order; pack and playsets, bassinets, and cribs. A pack and play set can serve many purposes, so you spend less to gain more.

Durability

The crib is more durable in comparison to the other two products. Baby cribs are known to be very sturdy and strong. They can last up to 5 or 6 years under vigorous use.

However, these three products are safe to use (if you follow the safety precautions attached to their usage). They are also very helpful to parents in their respective capacities.

Which of them should you choose?

You could choose any of the above depending on the purpose you want it to serve. If you need safety and durability, a crib is your best bet. If you need versatility and portability, then a pack and play are what you should purchase.

However, if you need something compact that makes it easy to monitor your infant baby, then a bassinet is just cool for you.

Finally, you should consider the age and size of the baby in question. Bigger and older babies would be safer sleeping in cribs or packs and playsets than they would be in a bassinet. Again, the ball is left in your court; choose according to your needs.

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