how long do babies stay in bassinets and are they necessary if not what is an alternative?

Question

has anyone used a moses basket instead?

Answer 1

Bassinets arent necessary.. just make things easier in the first few weeks when baby wakes up so often at night to eat. With a bassinet you can have the baby right next to your bed and tend to him easily and quickly.

Another alternative is a co sleeper.. they have some that attach to the side of the bed and some that just lay in your bed but have sides so you cant accidentally roll onto baby.

When the baby wakes less frequently then the baby should get used to his/her crib.

Oh and I want to highly disagree with the person stating that a basket with a pillow is fine because the baby doesnt roll so the pillow isnt a hazzard.
Babies develop on different paces... it can so easily happen that they do turn and then they could sufficate in a pillow. NEVER let your baby sleep on a pillow or with a pillow until he/she can easily roll back and forth and sit up and lay back down on his own!

Answer 2

The weight limit on a bassinet is generally 15-20 pounds, or when they roll over. The manufacturer information on the individual bassinet will let you know.

I originally thought that a bassinet was a waste of money, but someone lent us one. It is small enough to put next to my bed, and it was reassuring to have the baby so close in the beginning. She slept in it for about 3 months, until we were comfortable enough to put her in her own room.

I also use the bassinet to put the baby down for her morning nap, if I need to change the sheets on her crib.

I would reccomend that you buy a pack-n-play with a bassinet insert, which you can use as a portable crib or play-pen long after your baby is too big for the bassinet. If a new one is too expensive, try craigslist.

Answer 3

Bassinets are definately not necessary. They are recommended only for babies around 6-12 weeks. They can hold babies only up to 15 pounds. As soon as baby begins to roll over, attempt to roll over, or pull up onto his/her knees, they are obsolete.

An excellent alternative to a bassinet is a portable crib, or play pen, with a bassinet attachment. These can be removed and stored for use with your next child, and the crib/play pen is useful up until age 2, in most cases.

Another wonderful option is a baby moses basket. These baskets are padded on the sides, and can be placed in any safe location, including a play pen or crib. They have handles that are useful for moving baby from one room to another, and can be used as a cosleeper as well. In addition, they are usually cheaper than bassinets, and can be used until the baby simply doesn't fit inside anymore!

Another option is a cosleeper, which is a small crib that can go beside your bed, or with some models, in the center of your bed. However, I don't recommend these because they WILL get baby used to sleeping very close to you, which can raise a problem later on.

Now, to address another answerer's answer...Do NOT put your baby in a laundry basket with a pillow. This is DANGEROUS!!! Sleeping on a pillow, whether baby can roll over or not, will increase the risk of SIDS. Pillows are counterindicated (Not recommended) for babies because they are so soft. Crib and bassinet mattresses are made extremely firm to keep baby from falling into a VERY deep sleep, which is a serious risk factor for SIDS. This is why pillows are not recommended for infants. Keep the pillows AWAY from your child until he/she is at least 12 months of age.

Good Luck!

Answer 4

Not very long--3 months or until they kind of grow out of them or the baby is ready to go into the crib in the nursery. It is comforting for new mom and dad to have the baby in the room with them and it's convenient to have the baby right there for breast feeding, etc. in the middle of the night. Remember that the baby is only put down to sleep on their backs any more. See if you can borrow one from a friend. You can update the skirt, etc. You can also move the bassinet around the house with you during the day if you want to keep the baby near.

Answer 5

I kept all three of mine in a bassinet for 4 months or so, until they started to roll over. I had one in my bedroom next to my bed and one in the living room. None of my kids were in their crib for that time. The one I had in the living room was a portacrib with a bassinet attachment, that may be a more affordable option as it has more than one use. You can also pick up some great deals from consignment shops, if you don't mind that sort of thing. I found it to be a necessity. As far as keeping the baby in your room when they are first born, hearing your breathing can help them regulate their breathing and learn to follow your sleep patterns as a result.

Answer 6

Most people only use a bassinet for the first few months of life. It is mostly convenient for parents, so they can have the baby in their room when the baby wakes up at night. Some parents even use cosleepers, especially when the mom is breastfeeding. Bassinets and cosleepers are really just optional. I never used one - my daughter was in her crib in her room from birth.

Answer 7

They can stay in a bassinet until they start rolling themselves over comfortably. Then they need more room like a crib. Two of my children had a bassinet and the other I just used a playpen.

Answer 8

Usually until the can roll over and/or push up - as a safety rule.

A bassinet is handy - especially to have a bedside for night time feedings, or I had one also in my "basement" family room so I didn't have to run 3 flights to get her. I liked having my baby sleep on the same floor where I was trying to get housework done (i.e. LAUNDRY!).

But, of course, you can always just have the baby use their crib and have a monitor! They certainly aren"t necissary!

Answer 9

Some babies benifit from bassinets as they need the comfort of being in a small space (just think they have been inside you for 9 months and it's pretty damn small in there). You can purchase these pillowly like things that you put inside a cot, that make the space around him/her not seem to large.

Answer 10

My kids slept in bassinets in our bedroom for 2-3 months. I really liked having them in the room and handy for mid-night feedings. I'd say you don't need one if you have the space for a pack and play or crib in your room. Bassinets are also nice because they are portable. Baby can fall asleep in your room, but be rolled to another room temporarily for some alone time with hubby.