Although baby cribs are also essential for the long term sleeping space for the new child, the small size of bassinets can be especially comforting to a newborn. Newborns are used to being in very tight quarters after spending nine months in the cozy womb, so being in a cozy baby bassinet often helps the infant to rest better and be less fussy. With time, the parents can transition the baby to become accustomed to the crib, which will be the more permanent piece of for sleeping, until the child is about two years old.

Many parents report that their newborn tends to sleep better in a room where there is some activity and noise going on, rather than being sequestered in a silent bedroom. This makes sense considering that while the baby was in the womb, he was aware of the noise and commotion going on around him. Baby bassinets are very portable and can be helpful in this regard as well.

Most types of bassinets have casters on the legs and they can be moved easily from room to room. This allows mom to go about the house and take care of the chores at hand while still keeping an eye on the infant. At the same time, the baby will rest better being nearer to where the action is. Since newborns sleep up to twenty hours a day, a baby bassinet will get plenty of use. It should be noted that a bassinet should never be rolled with the baby inside.

Some styles of bassinets have a retractable hood. This is a very useful feature for outdoor activities, such as walks or naps, to protect him from the sun or other very bright lights from which the baby should be shielded. Test the hood to be sure that it can be folded back easily with one hand, so that you can manage it when you need to put the sleeping baby into the bassinet.

Bassinets are not as lightweight as a moses basket but most models are not considered heavy. It is a good idea to look for a baby bassinet model that incorporates carrying handles into the design. This allows you to lift the bassinet from the base and carry it easily when needed. Again, the baby should never be carried in the bassinet in this manner unless you know that it was specifically built for such use.

When shopping for baby bassinets, the quality should be of the upmost importantance. You will want a bassinet that is well-constructed and that is not able to be tipped over. Check to be sure that the crib mattresses for the bassinet have a very snug fit. There should be no gaps along the edge of the mattress as this could create a hazard. When the baby is old enough to roll over by himself, this is a clear indication that he has outgrown the baby bassinet and it is time to move him into a baby crib.