in this post:

my criteria
my bedside bassinet recommendations
how to make sure baby is safe when they are cosleeping
how to help your baby sleep better in their bassinet
other options for cosleeper bassinets for twins

If you’re looking to cosleep with your baby (meaning sleeping with them in the same room) then a bedside bassinet is a great option to keep them close by without taking up a ton of room! Bedside bassinets, or “cosleepers,” are great for moms who are recovering from c-sections or breastfeeding because baby is right next to you to easily tend to throughout the night without getting up (great blackout curtains that help with this too - use heysleepybaby for 10% off). Here are some of the most recommended and some of my personal favorites that I feel great recommending after lots (and lots) of research! In no particular order, here are my top picks for bedside bassinets for newborns to sleep in. This post contains affiliate links.

my criteria

While researching the most- recommended and best-reviewed cosleeping bassinets, I had a few additional criteria to make sure they were up to my standards to recommend to the masses.

Safety. Firstly, deciding to room share with your baby means that you are already making an awesome safety choice! The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommended that parents and caregivers share a room with their baby for the first 6 months of life. Ideally, this arrangement will last up to 1 year. This new recommendation comes after the AAP examined research that said sharing a room with your baby can reduce the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) by up to 50%.

The good news is that in 2021, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) approved a new federal rule that will ensure that products marketed or intended for infant sleep will provide a safe sleep environment for babies under 5 months old and beginning in mid-2022, any product intended or marketed for infant sleep must meet a federal safety standard. These bassinets meet safety requirements per the CPSC. You can read more about their guidelines here. If you are getting a bassinet second-hand, be sure it hasn’t been recently recalled.

The bassinet should have:
- a sturdy bottom with a wide base
- smooth surfaces
- no hardware should be sticking out
- a mattress that is firm and fits tightly with no gaps
- no entrapment hazards
- a flat, non-inclined surface with no extra padding, bumpers or pillows
- a limit on the paint and surface coating, as well as lead that the product can contain
Bedside bassinets are great for keeping baby on a separate surface while also being close to you. However, for some families bed sharing on the same surface is what feels best. It’s estimated that between 60-70% of parents will bring their babies to bed at some point even if they hadn’t planned on it, so it’s best to be prepared either way. If you do plan on bringing baby into your bed, be sure that you are following guidelines to make your arrangement as safe as possible. Here is a list of bedsharing guidelines called the Safe Sleep Seven.
Cost. I wanted to include a few different price points but none of these bassinets will totally break the bank. I can’t tell you how many families I’ve worked with who have bought “smart” bassinets for over $1500 only to have their baby hate it.
Look and size. Most of these bassinets are pretty aesthetically pleasing and will fit small spaces. You’re going to be looking at this thing a LOT so why shoulndn’t it be beautiful, right?

Ok, here we go. The 10 newborn bassinets I’d recommend to any expecting parent!

Features:

ultra-breathable and washable bedside sleeper
patented Wovenaire® technology as the award-winning crib mattress, it features a largest-in-class sleep surface to allow for extended use as your baby grows
Lightweight, easy to assemble and perfect for travel
41.5” x 22” dimensions allow for a roomy interior and extended use as baby grows
Provides unhindered airflow and easy visibility of your baby
Designed for use in bedside-sleeper setting to quickly access and soothe your baby. Eight adjustable heights for ease of use and safety.
Designed for newborns up to ~6 mos and not to exceed 20 lbs

2. Arm’s Reach

**Best for Platform Style Beds**

Features:

two modes: Bedside baby bassinet or freestanding mini baby crib
adjusts in 1" increments to fit all bed heights.
feet retract to accommodate platform beds.
can be used on hard floors or carpet
great for small spaces

The Arm’s Reach Clear-Vue Cosleeper has great reviews as well!

Features:

ANTI-TILT DESIGN: No-move technology protects the sleep surface from tilts and bumps from pets or young siblings with a lower center of gravity and a wider stand to help prevent tilts
Lower than standard bed height to clearly see baby while room sharing. Easily see baby in the bassinet from your bed
No assembly required, mesh side for added airflow, knit side to lower distractions, stores flat
0-5 months, up to 20 lbs

4. Skip Hop Baby Bassinet, Cozy Up 2-in-1

Features:

easy-access door panel keeps baby within reach in sleeper mode with mesh sides for breathability and visibility
8-position height adjustment up to 32.7 inches high and adjustable straps attach sleeper to bed for extra security
two ways to use it: bedside sleeper or stand-alone bassinet
supports babies up to 20 lbs

5. Graco My View 4-in-1

**Best Option to Grow With Baby**

Features:

4 different ways to use to grow with baby from newborn to toddler
the bassinet is able to transition to crib-level, and it is also removable for use anywhere
canopy to shield baby from light, keeping them comfortable and cool.
portable and good for travel

6. Baby Bjorn Cradle

**Most Aesthetically Pleasing**

Features:

clean, minimalist design
easy to move around the house so you can always have your child close to you day and night
soft, breathable and airy sides and simple design with no bars or loose parts to trap tiny hands or feet
fits from newborn (8 lbs) to approximately six months (17 lbs)
offers gentle rocking
OEKO-TEX mesh material

7. Halo Bassinest Swivel Sleeper
Twin Option here

**Best for Twins**

Features:

the only bassinet that goes over your bed and swivels.
quick access to your baby without bending or twisting.
all walls are fully mesh for air flow and visibility.
converts from bedside bassinet to portable sleeper
adjustable height
fitted sheet included.
fabric walls can be removed for machine washing.

Moms say: “We have a tiny bedroom and loved the halo bassinet because of the swivel when we needed to get around it. I personally loved how one of the sides swung down with ease and the design of it made it easy to get it close to the bed. The adjustable height made it so I could put baby so close to bed it was like he was in bed with me without actually bed sharing.”

"As formula feeding parents who have to get up and prepare a bottle the swivel was amazing and helpful. We liked the side that went up and down for ease of transfer.”

“The swivel is soooo clutch for a small space and you can swivel it over your bed so they’re hovering over the mattress. Very easy to grab them out of or put your hand in for comfort.”

Features:

mini crib/ bedside sleeper that securely attaches to your bed
fits flush and secure to beds min 10” up to 25” high
100% eco-friendly, sustainably sourced beechwood
for use up to approximately 6 months of age or until baby pushes up
available in larger and taller sizes as well

9. Evolur Stellar Bassinet and Bedside Sleeper

Features:

recommended for babies up to 25 lbs, or 6 months of age
mesh panels on either side
unzip the drop side for easy access to your baby.
height adjustable. Can be moved up or down to 5-positions
with inward folding legs, the stellar can be positioned as close to the mattress as possible.

10. Maxi-Cosi Iora Bedside Bassinet

**Best for Travel**

Features:

breathable mesh on all sides
extra-large storage basket underneath provides space to holding baby essentials
adjustable up and down and side to side allow for a customized fit
5 different height positions
attractive modern design
folds flat for easy storage, travel and portability
20 lb. weight capacity
storage/travel bag included

There you have it! There are SO many options out there that it’s really hard to narrow down which bassinet is best for you. Remember, the top things to consider are cost, space, and safety. These options all meet my standards for safety as long as they are used according to the instructions, and most are pretty great for tight spaces! They are also at a variety of price points, and if you’re on a tight budget you can check something like Facebook Marketplace to see if anyone is trying to get rid of theirs.

how To make sure baby is safe when they are cosleeping

be sure they are always placed in the bassinet/ cosleeper on their back
do NOT place any pillows, wedges, loungers, etc. (such as a Snuggle Me or Dock a Tot) inside the bassinet. place baby directly on the mattress that the bassinet comes with.
no blankets, toys, etc. inside the sleep space with baby- just a designated tightly fitting sheet on the bassinet mattress as directed by instructions.
if baby starts to show signs of rolling over from back to belly (can happen as early as 6-8 weeks) immediately stop swaddling.
to avoid overheating, do not dress your baby in a hat or mittens for sleep. cotton pajamas plus your sleep sack or swaddle is plenty!

how To help your baby sleep better in their bassinet

some babies will be able to be swaddled and placed in their bassinet after a feeding to fall asleep on their own, however this is not the norm and it’s common that this stops happening after the first few weeks of life. don’t be afraid to hold, rock, or feed your baby to sleep and then transfer them into the bassinet after they’ve been asleep for about 10 minutes.
when you place baby down, keep a hand on their chest until you can feel them settle.
place baby down on their side, then roll them to their backs, or at an angle, butt first, then gently lower them. this can help minimize the “startle” reflex many babies struggle with as newborns.
utilize sleep associations and create a calm environment. dim the lights in the room an hour or two before bedtime, turn on a white noise machine, and keep things calm and quiet if possible.
sleep with their crib sheet or sleep sack/ swaddle for a few days or wear it around the house until bedtime. if baby can smell you, they’re more likely to feel safe and secure.

other options for cosleeper bassinets for twins

If you’re looking for all the information you’ll need from the newborn stage through toddlerhood, check out the Newborn Masterclass which is the Essential Baby Sleep Course for New + Expecting Parents OR grab the Baby Bundle to set yourself up for the newborn phase. With this option you’ll get all the great stuff in the Newborn Masterclass PLUS The Ultimate Crib & Bed Guide. For more tips on getting the best sleep you can, follow @heysleepybaby on Instagram!