If you are having a kid for the first time, you should know that co-sleepers are lifesavers, especially at night when you have to bottle-feed your infant. I have spent 30+ hours comparing the finer details of the best co-sleeper bassinets with bed attachments and stand-alone co-sleepers to find the most suitable bassinets for your family.
Co-sleepers stand out because their alternative, bassinets, and cribs, are often stationary in the nursery and require you to take the night trip to see your baby at night. On the other hand, co-sleepers make your baby accessible.
If you are in a hurry, the overall best co-sleeper bassinet is HALO BassiNest Swivel Sleeper. I have reviewed it below.
As I researched the best co-sleepers, I came across various pieces of literature. One discussed how a baby sleeps virtually all the time (95%) in the mother’s womb, and how you shouldn’t immediately have your newborn far away from you in some furniture. Transitions are probably less isolating to your new bundle of joy. That’s why there are co-sleepers, lounger pillows, bassinets, and cribs for your baby to transition easily.
Quick Comparison of Our Top-rated Cosleeper Bassinet Brands
Below is a list of the best co-sleepers that you can use if you are considering co-sleeping with your baby.
Reviews of the Top Co Sleeper Bassinets 2022
1. Halo Bassinest Swivel
Halo Bassinest swivel co-sleepers is our overall best co-sleeper in 2021. It is available in at least modules; Essentia, Premier, and the Luxe series. Most parents love them for their 360 adjustable swivel infant bassinet perfect for less-active C-section recovering mothers. However, it is recommended to gradually cease using the bassinet at approximately 6-7 months or when the baby can roll over on its own, start to pull down, or attempt to stand on its knees.
Features:
- The Hallo bassinet sidewalls are made of a removable polyester mesh
- These side-walls are flexible as they can be lowered subject to weight and they spring right back up on their own. Additionally, they have a patented lockable feature once raised.
- It has a 360 swivel bassinet
- Stable; 4-part 45” X 45” base; An adjustable height from 24” to 34”
- Waterproof mattress
- Compact as compared to a crib
- Storage side-pockets
- Night-time lights, soothing music with 2 levels vibration, 3 lullabies, 3 nature sounds with 30-minute auto shut-off, additionally, there is a reminder to put the baby back to bed; all only on the premier and luxe series
- Holds up to 20lbs
- Fairly heavy at 28lbs; but it easily assembles
Below is a video review by Babylist
- From your trusted brand leader in safe sleep, our award-winning HALO BassiNest is beloved by parents and nurses for its safety, comfort, and convenience. Our best-selling HALO BassiNest is the only bassinet with a 360º swivel to keep your newborn close allowing for essential bonding.
- Designed with mothers in mind, the patented lowering bedside wall makes it easier to care for baby from bed, especially for breastfeeding and C-section moms. Also includes a waterproof mattress and one machine-washable fitted sheet.
- Soothing sounds and gentle vibrations create a peaceful environment for your little one to rest safely and comfortably at your side. Includes amber nightlight, amber floorlight, two levels of vibration, and four soothing sounds: heartbeat, white noise, babbling brook, and rainforest (all with auto-shutoff).
- The bed can be removed from the base for portability, providing a safe sleep surface on the floor in any room of your home. For babies up to 5 months or 20lbs.
- Sturdy four-point base provides maximum stability and easily adjusts for bed heights from 22 - 34. Base legs tuck under bed and require only 32 clearance from the wall, making it ideal for small spac
Pros
- The removable polyester mesh wall aid in aeration and visibility in the bassinet from a distance
- Flexible side-walls that can be lowered subject to weight and spring right back up on their own. Additionally, they have a patented lockable feature once raised. This collectively eases placing the baby safely to sleep in the bassinet.
- 360 swivel bassinet allows close monitoring and care of the baby, especially at night.
- Stable; 4-part 45” X 45” base; An adjustable height from 24” to 34” to fit the demands of different beds
- Waterproof mattress
- Compact as compared to a crib thus saves on space
- Storage side-pockets to keep essential baby needs on hand
- Nap-friendly night-time lights, soothing music with 2 levels vibration, 3 lullabies, 3 nature sounds with 30-minute auto shut-off, additionally, there is a reminder to put the baby back to bed; all only on the premier and luxe series
- Holds up to 20lbs
- Fairly heavy at 28lbs; but it easily assembles
Cons:
- It drains batteries quite quick
- Added accessories increase the price
2. Baby Delight Beside Me Dreamer Bassinet
Baby Delight Beside Me Dreamer Bassinet is a versatile bassinet and bedside sleeper that we choose to feature in this list of best co-sleeper bassinets with bedside sleepers in 2021. We also featured it in our list of best bassinets for small spaces. It has 3258+ reviews and is overly rated 4.7/5 on Amazon as of June 2021. Most parents love it for its versatility.
Features:
- It is relatively light-weight at 23.1 lbs
- Versatile as it can be used as a stand-alone bassinet as well as a bedside co-sleeper.
- As a bedside co-sleeper, a wall side can be unhooked and unzipped
- Its height is height-adjustable at 2 points; at the base and at the top bassinet area
- It has mesh walls
- Holds up to 20 lbs
- Easily assembles, easily transitions from a bassinet to a parent bedside co-sleeper, and has safety straps
- Gently sways side to side too
- DIMENSIONS: 37 long x 22.5 wide x 31 tall
- SAFE and COMFORTABLE - Sleep soundly knowing that your baby is safer and comfortable. Your little one will rest on a comfy, yet firm mattress covered in a soft sheet that is machine washable.
- MOBILE- Lightweight enough to move from room to room, the Beside Me Dreamer can be used as a bedside bassinet/co-sleeper in beside your bed, or as a bassinet out in the living room. Convenience is key!
- ADJUSTABLE- 6 position height adjustment allow the sleeper to accommodate to most beds.
- ACCESS- Easily lean over to nurse, comfort or just check on your baby during the night
- QUICK TOOL-FREE ASSEMBLY - the bassinet can be assembled in less than 5 minutes with no tools needed.
- LOCAL - Trusted by parents for over 20 years, we are American based and design our products in Rhode Island, USA
- Age: Recommended for babies from 0-5 months or up to 20 lbs.
- JPMA Certified
Pros:
- It is relatively light-weight at 23.1 lbs thus easy to move around
- Versatile as it can be used as a stand-alone bassinet as well as bedside co-sleeper
- As a bedside co-sleeper, a wall side can be unhooked and unzipped easing baby access and care.
- Its height is height-adjustable at 2 points; at the base and at the top bassinet area
- It has mesh walls that boost air circulation and also allow visibility in the bassinet from a distance
- Holds up to 20 lbs
- Easily assembles, easily transitions from a bassinet to a parent bedside co-sleeper and has safety straps to attach to the parent’s bed
- Gently sways side to side aiding the baby to sleep fast
Cons:
- Limited storage space
- There have been complaints about design flaws such as the baby mattress being thin, hard, low and unbalanced.
3. Arm’s Reach Concepts
Arm’s reach concepts are a variety of co-sleepers and bassinets. One of its top models is the Cambria Co-Sleeper. It will be the focus of this review. As the name suggests, most parents like it for it is within arms reach. It has wheels that aid in its mobility.
Features:
- Slick design with a carved wood frame.
- Adjustable height to fit most beds
- Ample storage space underneath the bassinet
- Wheels aid in its mobility; they also lock when not in use.
- This Cambria Co-Sleeper has an adjustable mesh wall that locks when raised.
- The sides are meshed to improve air circulation as well as aid in visibility inside the bassinet even from a distance
Pros:
- Slick design with a carved wood frame is pleasing to the eye.
- Adjustable height to fit most beds from 24” allows ease and effortless baby care and bonding especially at night
- Ample storage space underneath the bassinet for all your baby gear.
- Wheels aid in its mobility; they also safety-lock when not in use.
- This Cambria Co-Sleeper has an adjustable mesh wall that locks when raised. This too eases effortless baby care and bonding especially at night
- The sides are meshed to improve air circulation as well as aid in visibility inside the bassinet even from a distance
Cons:
- There have been complaints about the mattress being thin and hard
4. Snuggle Me Organic
Snuggle Me Organic is my favorite baby lounger and the 4th best co-sleeper you can find in the market in 2020. While Snuggle Me Organic does not attach to the bed, its patented design that hugs your baby has made parents rate it very highly.
This is a renowned baby lounger that offers a baby a crawled hug-like feeling attributed to increased napping hours.
It is available in 3 versions: Organic lounger-Natural, Linen Lounger-Oat, and the Bare Lounger-Natural
Features:
- Lightweight at only 3 lbs; therefore perfect for even distant trips
- Snug design with the sides offering a baby a crawled hug-like feeling
- 100% cotton fabrics, free of dangerous chemicals
- Holds babies up to 9 months
- Multifaceted as babies can sleep, sit or even lie on the tummy comfortably
Pros
- Lightweight at only 3 lbs; therefore perfect for even distant trips
- Snug design with the sides offering a baby a crawled hug-like feeling resulting in increased napping hours.
- 100% cotton fabrics, free of dangerous chemicals
- Holds babies up to 9 months
- Multifaceted as babies can sleep, sit or even lie on the tummy comfortably
Cons:
- Expensive
- No breathers; some babies run hot while in it.
5. Graco Pack N’ Play
Graco Pack N’ Play doubles as a co-sleeping bassinet and a play yard that came fifth in our 2020 list of top co-sleepers. Most parents love it because of its versatility. It is available in a number of versions. The Graco Pack ‘n Play on the Go Playard will be the focus of this review. It has 4715 reviews and is rated 4.8/5 on Amazon. Most parents love it for its long useful life.
Features:
- Versatile as it doubles as a bassinet and a play yard
- Has a changing table
- Fitted with wheels for improved maneuverability
- Its bassinet holds up to 15 lbs
- The sides are made of a meshed material
- Well built, sturdy and durable
- The play yard allows babies of up to 35” in height.
- It has a couple of hanging toys to visually impress the child.
Pros:
- Versatile as it doubles as a bassinet and a play yard
- Has a changing table
- Fitted with wheels for improved maneuverability
- Its bassinet holds up to 15 lbs
- The sides are made of a meshed breathable material
- Well built, sturdy and durable
- The play yard allows babies of up to 35” in height.
- It has a couple of hanging toys to visually impress the child.
Cons:
- The mattress is thin and somewhat hard
6. Jojo Lounger
Jojo lounger is our 6th co-sleeper baby lounger designed in California, USA. It has 86 reviews on Amazon and a rating of 4.6/5 as of Jan 2020. Most parents love it since it can be used by babies to toddlers up to 24 months.
Features:
- It can be used by babies to toddlers up to 24 months
- It has firmly padded sides to prevent the baby from rolling over
- Its center, baby lounging area, is lightly padded for comfort
- Its 100% cotton made, no dangerous chemicals used, even the removable customizable covers are 100% cotton
- Easily portable with an embedded carrying strap; lightweight at only 3.65 lbs
Pros
- It has a long service life can be used by babies to toddlers up to 24 months
- It has firmly padded sides to prevent the baby from rolling over
- Its center, baby lounging area, is lightly padded for comfort and the baby can sit, sleep on the tummy or even take a nap
- Its 100% cotton made, no dangerous chemicals used, even the removable customizable covers are 100% cotton
- Easily portable with an embedded carrying strap; lightweight at only 3.65 lbs
Cons:
- Some parents find it expensive.
7. The First Years – Close and Secure Baby Sleeper
The First Years is a lightweight foldable co-sleeper bassinet that came 7th in this list of top co-sleepers. It has 3 reviews on Amazon and a rating of 3.5/5 as of Jan 2020. Most parents love it for its compact portability.
Features:
- It has a detachable night bulb
- Measures approximately 30 inches
- Has raised side barriers to prevent rolling in from parents
- Made of a breathable and soft mesh material
- Has machine washable sheets
- It can be placed in a baby crib
Pros
- It has a detachable night bulb that is handy for night time baby-time
- Has raised side barriers to prevent rolling in from parents
- Made of a breathable and soft mesh material
- Has machine washable sheets
- It can be placed in a baby crib; this aids in a smooth transition from it to a baby crib
Cons:
- At approximately 30” in length, it is short and most babies outgrow it quite fast.
8. DockATot Deluxe
DockATot Deluxe is a co-sleeper baby lounger. It has 807 reviews and a rating of 4.6/5 on Amazon as of Jan 2020. Most parents love it for its slick design and versatility.
Features:
- 100% hypoallergenic cotton material
- Raised round sides that offer a snug hold
- The material allows air circulation thus offering a cool environment for the baby
- This egg-shaped lounger can be used for napping, lounging, tummy time, diaper changing: Additionally, it is open-ended to allow the feet off the lounger while playing.
- It is slick in design with a variety of covers to choose from
- It is easily portable with strategic carry straps; lightweight at only 3 lbs
- Recommended for babies 0-8 months, weighing 5-22 lbs.
Pros
- Safe and comfy; made of 100% hypoallergenic cotton material
- Raised round sides that offer a snug hold
- The material allows air circulation thus offering a cool environment for the baby
- This egg-shaped lounger can be used for napping, lounging, tummy time, diaper changing: Additionally, it is open-ended to allow the feet off the lounger while playing.
- It has a slick design with a variety of machine washable covers to choose from
- It is easily portable with strategic carry straps, offers the child a familiar environment away from home; lightweight at only 3 lbs
- Recommended for babies 0-8 months, weighing 5-22 lbs
Cons:
- Not for unsupervised sleep
- They have been complaints of the ‘Pristine White’ cover being hard and rough especially on the babies head
9. SwaddleMe By Your Side
As the name suggests, SwaddleMe By Your Side is a co-sleeper that can be placed in between parents. It has 2319 reviews and is rated 4.4/5 on Amazon as of Jan 2020. Most parents love it for its compressible walls on both sides to easily reach the baby.
Features:
- Compressible walls to closely and easily tender to a baby
- Meshed walls
- Travel-friendly as it can be compacted downwards
- Padded mattress and fitted sheet
- Has a sturdy metal frame that avoids parent roll-over
Pros:
- Compressible walls to closely and easily tender to a baby from both sides.
- Meshed walls to improve air circulation and visibility inside the bassinet.
- Travel-friendly as it can easily be compacted downwards; it is very lightweight at 0.16 ounces.
- Padded mattress and fitted sheet provide the baby with a comfortable environment. The sheets are machine washable
- Has a sturdy metal frame that avoids parent roll-over
Cons:
- Takes up much space in the bed
How to pick the best Bassinet for Co-sleeping: Co-sleeper Bassinets Guide
The crib or bassinet is more comfortable than a simple lounger without support such as a crib or bassinet and that’s why our overall best co-sleeper in this review enables you to attach it to your bed.
What is co-sleeping?
According to Dr. James J. McKenna, Ph.D. co-sleeping refers to any situation where a caregiver or parent is within the sensory range of each other. This definition is important and should not be confused with other terms such as bed-sharing or sofa-sharing.
With co-sleeping, the baby and whoever is sleeping with the baby are able to detect each other or even smell, see, hear and even touch. Babies respond to any of the surrounding sensory cues and it is important to understand that it is Ok for parents or caregivers to co-sleep with their little ones.
Because of limited comprehensive guides online, I still get questions from parents about co-sleeping such as:
Can I co-sleep with my newborn and is it good or bad?
Yes. You can co-sleep with your newborn and it’s actually good for you and your baby but not necessary. Below is my short story of how I realized I really needed a baby co-sleeper.
By the time my firstborn was born, I had organized the nursery and set up all the furniture to make a cozy home for the newborn. The planning and all the imagination that went into designing the nursery seemed like waste the first few days after coming home from the hospital. I didn’t want to go or leave my baby in the nursery as I needed to be close in order to constantly check on him.
Actually, over 75% of couples co-sleep with their little ones during the first six months.
Enter the co-sleeper and I’ve never looked back.
If I could pass on some free advice is that co-sleepers and loungers should be among your baby’s must-haves.
It’s ridiculous that parents still let opinions and cultures dictate how or where they can co-sleep with their baby.
Will Co-sleeping Ruin My Marriage?
And some parents such as Jonathan complain that co-sleeping ruined their marriage. You should, however, note that articles like Jonathan’s are isolated as most parents do not isolate one parent at the expense of the infant.
If either the dad or the mum does not excessively co-sleep with the newborn to avoid the other spouse, there is no problem at all. You can, however, have a plan so you don’t overdo it and become that parent applying ‘attachment parenting’.
According to scientists such as Rosemary’s team at the University of British Columbia have laid the case of co-sleeping and its impacts on marriages and intimacy between parents. Their research is summed up by the snippet below:
Time spent bed sharing did not significantly predict variance in marital satisfaction when considering bed sharers as a whole.
Bed Sharing and Marital Satisfaction, Rosemary Messmer
James McKenna and Thomas McDade of the University of Indiana make a full case for co-sleeping in this detailed study.
Can co-sleeping prevent SIDs?
Co-sleeping reduces the chances of SIDs by up to 50% according to AAP as detailed in this WebMD article. SID risk is high and eventually reduces to virtually zero by the end of the first year. SIDs are NOT 100% preventable but safe co-sleeping and using the appropriate gear can reduce the chances of SIDs.
Benefits of co-sleeping
You can also count on co-sleepers to:
- Prevent suffocation and strangulation
- Reduces chances of SIDs by up to 50%
- It makes it easy to breastfeed or bottle-feed the baby
- Reduces the stress of a baby, as demonstrated by higher heart-rate when the baby is placed to sleep alone rather than skin-to-skin with their mothers
- It assists the baby’s brain development
One of the arguments by those opposed to co-sleeping includes cases of entrapment that can happen when a baby is sleeping in bed with adults. However, it is important to note that cases of entrapment deaths are rarely reported.
There are many ways you can co-sleep with your baby and different cultures do it differently. In North America, it is very common to have parents be in the same bed with the baby or sleep beside a baby in a bassinet or in a lounger.
Co-sleeping baby to own bed, transition to crib
Inevitably, there comes a time when a baby outgrows a lounger and even a bassinet.
Some ideas on setting up a cozy safe crib include;
- Ensure the mattress snugly fits the edges of the crib to avoid places the baby may get stuck.
- Ensure the mattress is fairly hard as soft mattress may cause suffocation
- There should not be loose sheets
- Ensure the crib has the perfect napping temperature
So how do you stop co-sleeping with a toddler?
Co-sleeping toddler how to stop:
- Gradual steps; This is achieved by small simple changes. Since the baby may be feeding less at night, you can start by moving his current bed further away from your bed.
Later, you can move the crib in your room and allow the baby to nap in the crib during the day. This familiarises the baby to the new environment after which you can return the crib to the baby room.
- Once in the new room, you can camp for a while in the baby room at a decreasing rate
- You can further create a feeling of closeness to the baby by sneaking in your sheets or one of your clothes; just make sure they snugly fit.
- Set and maintain routines; this way, the baby will be psychologically prepared for nap-time.
Co-sleeping toddler studies:
The American Association of Pediatrics(APP) does not endorse bed-sharing since studies have shown a direct relationship between sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) and bed-sharing. However, they (APP) have also advised that sleeping in the same room with a toddler reduces (SIDS) by up to 50%
co-sleeping baby in the middle
This is not quite commendable since it increases the chances of roll-over from both parents unless you are using a bassinet like SwaddleMe By Your Side
Co-sleeping recommendations/studies/resources/UNICEF/WHO/USA
The following are recommendations from a statement made by UNICEF in response to a 2013 study on bed-sharing and SIDS by Carpenter R, McGarvey C, Mitchell EA, et al.
- A baby cot or parents bed is the safest place for a baby to sleep.
- Co-sleeping with a baby on a sofa highly risky and should be avoided.
- Avoid co-sleeping with a baby if you have been drinking alcohol, smoking or on medication likely to make you sleep more deeply.
The likelihood of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) is higher on:
- Caregivers from low-income households
- Caregivers who often smoke, drink alcohol and consume other recreational drugs
- Young first-time mothers
- Low-weight babies and under-developed infants
Co-sleeping Moses basket
- A Moses basket is a bassinet whose frame is made of woven material such as palm
- The interiors have a soft padded mattress and sheets.
- They are meant for young babies up to 4 months.
- They are lightweight and have carrying straps.
- Most have an adjustable shade
- They can be fitted to stands that raise them to a higher height.
Co-sleeping through history
Studies have shown that co-sleeping is a way of life in most societies even today; Baby rooms have only been in existence for about 300 years in western society.
This bonding and closeness have been shown to result in better sleep in both the child and parent.
Co-sleeping statistics
According to data from a study conducted in the UK by their Department for Education, on average, 133 babies died in the span of 5-years ( 2013-2017) on co-sleeping-related cases.
The cases were more prone to parents who were, smokers, periodically took alcohol, and who were mostly fatigued.
Co-sleeping safety
Safety rails are recommended to be installed on your parents’ bed regardless of whether your child can roll or not.
Meshed guard rails are better than wooden or metal slats. Also, make sure there is no space where your baby can get stuck between the bed and the rail.
Here are some safety tips
- It is recommended to place the baby between the mother and the wall or rail rather than in between parents as mothers at first are more aware of the baby than the father
- Place the baby on its back to nap
- Don’t over-dress the baby so as to prevent over-heating; the baby should also have some free space to move arms and feet.
- Use safety rails as a precaution to rolling over
Safety guidelines
- Avoid co-sleeping on the sofa
- Don’t co-sleep if you are a smoker, an alcoholic or very obese
- Avoid strong perfumes
Safety guidelines for one-year-old
Although the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends against it, here are some tips in case you decide to bed-share with your one year old:
- Avoid strong perfumes
- Make sure your bed’s mattress is firm and not flexible to avoid suffocation
- Get rid of sheets, pillows to avoid suffocation and strangulation
- Avoid smoking, drinking and or drugs that can make you deep sleep
Co-sleeping crawling safety
For safe co-sleeping with crawling kids, consider the following measures:
- A king size mattress offers an exploring wide space
- Place the mattress on the floor to avoid falling off
Co-sleeping toddler safety
Co-Sleeping and Autism
Studies have shown that over 80% of Autistic children have sleep problems. Co-sleeping among other guidelines is recommended to help these children get better sleep.
- About the Author
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Emily Larsen is a renowned expert in baby naming and has published various works and research on naming a baby such as the evolution of naming, the impact of baby names on a baby’s future success, the perception of middle names, among others. Emily is our baby-naming expert here at Motherhood HQ and we rely on her insight when writing guides to assist parents trying to find an appropriate baby name. Aside from publishing works on unique and creative baby names, Emily is a mother of three and a grandparent to one infant. She is trained as a Psychologist and previously worked as a Social Worker for the State of New York. Emily also runs a small personalized baby-naming consulting business and can be reached using her email, emily.larsen(at)motherhoodhq.com
