Feeding & Nursing – Babies for Beginners

Feeding a new baby during the night and getting a good night’s sleep can be difficult without the right baby gear. Thinking about your needs ahead of time can save you many hours of lost sleep, but I know all too well how difficult that can be for a new mom who just hasn’t had experience night-feeding yet. So, let me recall my sleepless nights to help you identify the important things to keep in mind when shopping for a baby bassinet that meets your own unique needs as a breastfeeding mom. Skip Ahead: If you want to skip all the discussion and cut to our top pick for the best bassinet for breastfeeding moms, you can click here. Special Bassinet Needs for the Breastfeeding Mom They are: You’re going to have to wake up and feed your baby a ton in the beginning. The closer baby is to you, meaning the closer you are to your bed, the more sleep you won’t lose between those feedings. Your baby may fuss a lot without you near to them, so a bassinet that allows you to reach a hand in and touch your baby when needed is ideal! If using a by-the-bed sleeper, having one that lets you to adjust the bassinet height to your adult bed and lower the bassinet’s side for easy access will keep you from getting numb limbs and/or bruises from reaching in at awkward angles. Trust me on this one *ouch*. Every time you use the bassinet, you’ll need to make sure you are locking it safely, and you’ll be doing so in an exhausted state. It must be easy to use. If you have a C-section, you will want to move as little as possible. Even if you have every intention of delivering vaginally keep that in mind just in case because you never know. You may have anxiety about your baby at night in those first few nights and sleep very lightly, so anything that allows a clear view of your baby from your bed is also great. The more see-thru mesh, the better. We’ve researched, gathered information, and tested some bassinets to come up with a tidy list of five bassinets available in 2021 that are ideal for breastfeeding moms, and I'm going to go through them here. But first, let's dive deeper into how to choose a good bassinet so that the one you choose will be the best bassinet investment for you and your baby. What to Consider When Choosing a Bassinet Here's a quick list of essential bassinet features to look for and consider: Age and Weight Limit Bassinets usually aren’t designed to hold infants older than four months old, because that's when babies start to roll over. To get the most out of your baby’s bassinet, look for one that accommodates a higher weight limit and adjusts for older infants. This is especially crucial for breastfeeding moms to think about because you're probably going to want your baby close to you for feeding purposes as long as possible (or as long as they wake up a ton during the night anyway; this varies by baby). Adjustability This bears repeating. Adjustability is essential for a cozy sleep experience for you and your baby. Height is especially important when you're reaching for your baby in the middle of the night. Consider your bed's height and the range of adjustments you may need for easy access to your infant. Size and Portability You want to give your baby room, but also don't want a bassinet that's too bulky, especially if you're using it as a co-sleeper. Many new moms use portable bassinets at the hospital and then bedside at home. You can move small, easy-to-maneuver bassinets around the house, so your newborn sleeps nearby while you tend to other tasks. Bassinets also save a lot more space than a full-size crib. If you're short on space, a portable bassinet may be the best choice for your baby's first few months, and we have a recommendation for one below. Safety Certifications Safety is the most crucial factor when choosing various products for your baby. The bassinet you select should be vigorously tested to meet ASTM safety standards. It’s not a requirement, but companies can voluntarily choose to comply. These safety standards ensure there are no gaps between the rails and the bedding and that everything is secure to keep your child safe. You can check for ASTM compliance by looking for the JPMA logo on the product package. The Best Bassinets for Breastfeeding Moms Combining safety, comfort, and usability, these are the best bassinets for breastfeeding moms: Best In-Bed Co-Sleeper Bassinet for Breastfeeding Moms: Baby Delight Snuggle Nest Harmony Sleeper In-bed co-sleeper bassinets let your baby stay by your side throughout the night. Not only is it easier to pick your newborn up at night to breastfeed, but your baby will sleep better next to you. Baby Delight sells various in-bed bassinets, but their Snuggle Nest Harmony Sleeper is the best. The sturdy mesh walls are breathable for your baby and add a degree of separation from the adults. You won’t need to worry about methodically cleaning this bassinet, either. The waterproof mattress and wraparound sheet are machine-washable. This bassinet works for lounging during the day as well, so your baby can relax on a flat surface while you get things done. The attached night light helps for midnight feedings. Though Baby Delight hasn’t certified it with ASTM, this sleeper has been tested to ensure its safety. It’s ideal for babies up to four months or when they begin rolling over and pushing up independently. Pros The tall mesh walls are breathable for your baby. The sturdy frame separates the baby from the adults, so you don’t roll into each other overnight. The attached night light makes it easier to breastfeed in the middle of the night. It’s available in various colors ranging in shades to fit your style. Use it for in-bed sleeping, travel, or daytime lounging. Cons It is not ASTM-certified.It’s challenging to side-sleep with this bassinet in full-size beds. The padding is very firm. Best Side-Bed Co-Sleeper Bassinet for Breastfeeding Moms: HALO BassiNest Swivel Sleeper Side-bed bassinets are ideal if you’re worried about the dangers of in-bed co-sleepers (there are in-bed safety measures you can follow, though). They’re also easily portable and move around on wheels. The HALO BassiNest co-sleeper is one of the best because you can swivel it to fit over your bed and as close as possible to you. HALO is such a trustworthy company that many hospitals use their products in their NICUs, and the same safety measures go for their public products. This BassiNest Swivel Sleeper has a four-point base for excellent stability. The 360-degree swivel lets you adjust the bassinet’s position however you wish. When it’s time for breastfeeding, the breathable mesh walls lower so you can easily pick up your baby. The waterproof mattress and fitted sheet are machine-washable for easy cleaning. Pros There are two side storage pockets to keep essential items on hand. The 360-degree swivel lets you keep your baby as close as possible to you without them in your bed. The mesh walls lower to quickly pick up your baby for breastfeeding. A night light and floor light let you feed your baby without turning on the lights in the room. Soothing sounds and vibrations keep your baby at ease and sleeping through the night. Cons It is not ASTM-certified.There are no wheels and is pretty heavy, so it’s challenging to move from room to room. Best Portable Bassinet for Breastfeeding Moms: Munchkin Brica Fold N' Go Travel Bassinet If you're planning on any travel during those first key months of baby's life, a portable bassinet can be a lifesaver. Munchkin's Bassinet Fold N' Go Travel bassinet is compact and lightweight, making it easy to take with you on the go. It comes with a water-resistant mattress pad and fitted sheet set, but standard bassinet sheets do fit so you can bring extras if laundry isn't an option. It has nice breathable mesh sides for airflow. The frame is nice and low and easily locks into place at four hug points for stability. When it's time to pack it up, just press release buttons to fold completely flat, which is great for packing! Pros Comes with a removable, water-resistant mattress pad and fitted sheet set. Standard bassinet sheets also fit).Breathable fabric and mesh sides for good airflow. Weighs less than three pounds.Folds flat for easy packing/storage, and is small enough to fit in a suitcase. Sturdy frame with a Four-point Safe-T-Lock system clicks at four different points when secure. Great price. Cons It is not ASTM-certified.Co-sleeping only (no stand).The mattress is thin for portability, which means it's very firm The Overall Best Bassinet for Breastfeeding Moms: RONBEI Bedside Sleeper When you’re breastfeeding, you need a bassinet that can keep your baby nearby for accessibility. It should also be easy to pick up your baby without having to sit up, especially if you had a C-section. The RONBEI bedside sleeper is our top pick bassinet for breastfeeding moms for the exact reason mentioned above. Its legs adjust to your bed’s height so you can see your baby at eye level. You can keep the mesh wall up as a divider or unhook the wall facing your bed for easier access. A shorter barrier stays in place to divide your baby from the adults’ bed. Additional straps secure to your mattress to ensure extra safety. The light mesh walls keep the baby’s sleeping space cool, comfortable, and very safe. A music mobile keeps your baby entertained during the day and soothed at night for better slumber. The mattress pad and fitted sheet are machine-washable, so you don’t have to worry about extensive cleaning. When you need to move the bassinet, it folds up easily for portability. Take it on the go or move it to another room for daytime lounging. One of the best features of this bassinet is that it sleeps babies up to six months old and up to 20 pounds. Your baby can stay by your side for as long as possible. Unlike the other bassinets on this list, the RONBEI sleeper is CPSC-certified and conforms to ASTM safety standards, so you know your baby is getting the best in security.