Mini Crib Vs Bassinet
Are you trying to decide between mini crib vs bassinet?
Then let us help you decide which is best for you and your baby: mini crib or bassinet!
Where’s the best place for your newborn to sleep? In this guide, we’ll compare the mini crib and bassinet, to find which is best for your family.
There are a lot of decisions you need to make when you have a baby.
From the big things (do you want to breastfeed or formula feed?), to the little choices (white or gray teddy bear onesie?), it can feel overwhelming.
One of those important decisions is where your newborn baby will sleep.
Newborn babies need to sleep in the same room as their parents, but there are many styles of beds available.
Do you choose the cozy bassinet? Or is the mini crib better for your home?
To help you choose which is right for you and your child, take a look at this guide to the pros and cons of cribs vs mini cribs.
And if you love this baby bassinet vs mini crib guide, make sure to check out our guides on a bassinet vs crib, best mini cribs, and best rocking bassinets. Or even these crib alternatives and best bassinet alternatives.
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Mini Crib Vs Bassinet
In this section, we’ll consider the benefits of both the mini crib and the bassinet.
All About The Mini Crib
A mini crib is any crib smaller than the standard crib, although they’re typically 24” x 38”.
They offer the same safe and secure sleeping area as a standard crib, but in a smaller size.
Mini cribs are popular because they’re suitable when space is limited, but have a surprising longevity.
Some mini cribs can be used for close to two years! But thanks to that reduced footprint, they can fit easily into apartments and smaller homes.
They’re particularly useful for room sharing, if there’s an older sibling around!
The smaller build of the mini crib improves portability, and some designs add wheels and folding sides for easier travel.
However, the mini crib is still quite bulky, particularly in comparison to the bassinet. You probably won’t want to move your mini crib around the house.
Pros
- Good for smaller homes where a standard crib would be too big.
- Less expensive than a standard crib.
- Useful for room sharing with an older sibling.
- Can be used for several years.
- More portable than the standard crib, so can potentially be used for traveling.
Cons
- Mini cribs sizes aren’t standardized, so it can be hard to find sheets and bedding.
- Heavier than a bassinet, so harder to move.
- The mattress is often low to the ground, which can make access uncomfortable.
The Dream On Me Addison is a Greenguard Gold Certified crib perfect for those looking for a mini crib that can be used long after your baby outgrows the crib function.
It comes with three adjustable mattress positions that can be lowered as your baby grows.
As well as it can easily be converted into a toddler bed, daybed, and twin-size bed so you can continue to use it long after your baby outgrows their crib.
This crib is also finished in a non-toxic paint with the choice of 8 different colors!
Dimensions: 38L x 24W x 32H inches
Maximum Weight: 50 Pounds
All About The Bassinet
Small and cozy, the bassinet is a popular option for a newborn baby. Bassinets are typically elevated from the ground, and measure roughly 33” x 18”.
Much smaller than the standard crib, bassinets are designed for the first few months of your baby’s life.
They can easily fit next to the bed, allowing parents quick access during late night wake-ups.
And because the mattress is elevated, it’s easy for parents to reach in and comfort the baby.
A bassinet is also highly portable, and can be moved around the house throughout the day.
However, the bassinet is temporary, and can only be used for around four to six months. At this stage, your baby will be growing rapidly, and starting to move a lot more!
The lightweight bassinet is no longer a safe space for them to sleep.
Pros
- The bassinet is small, so you can keep it close to the bed for nighttime fussing.
- Bassinets are typically inexpensive.
- Because they’re lightweight, the bassinet is very portable.
- Most bassinets have elevated mattresses, which are easier to reach.
- Even the smallest homes have room for a bassinet.
Cons
- Bassinets are only designed to be used for a few months, at which point you’ll need to transition to a crib or a mini crib.
Arm's Reach is a well trusted brand in the bassinet industry, creating quality, functional co-sleepers for parents. And the Cambria is no exception!
You can use the Cambria in two modes; a bedside bassinet, attached to the parent bed or stand-alone bassinet, anywhere you would like to put it.
The drop down mesh side makes for easy access to your baby, whilst features such as the the storage pockets as well as a platform enables you to store essentials close by. Perfect for C section and breastfeeding moms!
This bassinet also comes with everything you need including a mattress, fitted sheet, and a nylon strap, plus most importantly a plate to attach to the adult bed for safety.
Similarities And Differences Between Mini Crib And Bassinet
To help you make your decision, in this section we’ll look at the similarities and differences between the mini crib and the bassinet.
Size
Bassinets are sleeping areas designed for newborns. They’re very small, providing a cozy space for little babies.
Bassinets don’t come in standardized sizes, but most bassinets are between 30 and 33 inches long, and 15 and 18 inches wide.
A mini crib is essentially any crib smaller than standard size. Most mini cribs are 24 inches wide by 38 inches long, but dimensions do vary.
The bassinet is a better choice for a small space, as it takes up only a tiny amount of room.
Age Range
Bassinets are designed to be a temporary sleeping solution. After a few months, your baby will have outgrown their bassinet.
Children typically transition from bassinet to crib between 3 and 6 months. After this, sleeping in a small bassinet becomes dangerous.
Mini cribs have a variable age range, although many can be used for up to two years. Some mini cribs also transition from mini crib to toddler bed, extending the lifespan.
Portability
Closely linked to size, bassinets are known for their portability. Even larger bassinets can typically be picked up and moved around the house with ease.
This allows you to keep your newborn close throughout the day.
Mini cribs are reasonably portable, but they’re significantly hardest to move than a bassinet (particularly on stairs).
It’s unlikely that you’ll want to move the mini crib during the day, which means you may end up investing in a bassinet anyway.
With that said, some mini cribs are designed specifically for portability, and include wheels and foldable sides.
Accessibility
For those first few months, you’ll want to keep your baby as close to you as possible, particularly overnight.
Partly because they’re so adorable that you’ll find it hard to put them down!
But also because they’ll wake up multiple times every single night. By wake up number four, the mini crib on the other side of the room will feel miles away.
Bassinets can be tucked close to the bed, making it easier for you to comfort your little one when they start to fuss.
You can even get bedside sleeper bassinets, which are a safe alternative to co-sleeping.
With these, you can reach over and comfort without even getting out of bed (perfect for when a touch is all you need to soothe).
There’s another accessibility advantage to the bassinet: the mattress is typically higher up.
When you want to lift your little one in and out of the crib, you won’t need to bend quite so much. This puts less strain on the back, and is helpful for c-section moms.
Safety
Both mini cribs and bassinets should be safe for newborns to use, although it’s important to check the model has been tested before purchasing.
Mini cribs and bassinets should both feature breathable side walls, a firm mattress, and a flat base.
Mini cribs and bassinets are equally safe for children up to 4 months old. But at this stage, you’ll need to start thinking about moving on from the bassinet.
Babies typically transition from the bassinet at 3 to 6 months old. They can stay in the mini crib for much longer.
Smart Features
If you’d like a bed with technological accessories, you’re better off considering the bassinet.
Brands such as SNOO and 4moms have really transformed the possibilities of a bassinet, adding smart features to the basic designs.
Smart bassinets can play music, conduct their own light shows, and even detect when your little one is waking up!
There’s a whole host of features now available for the bassinet, designed to make life for new moms easier (at a price).
Smart features are less common on mini cribs and full-size cribs.
The SNOO Smart sleeper bassinet combines technology, innovation, and comfort to help soothe your baby to sleep!
This automatic rocking bassinet works off an in-built microphone, which in response to your baby’s cries, helps them to sleep with vibrations, movement, and lullabies.
But what sets the SNOO smart sleeper apart from the rest is their compatible app so you can control the bassinet with a simple touch on your phone.
Stability
Bassinets are smaller than mini cribs, and lighter. Because of this, they tend to lack some stability. For the most part, this won’t cause a problem.
However, if you live with pets, or have older children, you might prefer the stable frame of the mini crib. It’s less likely to be nudged by an enthusiastic toddler.
Price
Bassinet and mini crib prices are difficult to compare especially if you are looking at bassinets with smart features or a bassinet for a specific purpose such as the best bassinets for breastfeeding and best bassinets for c section.
Bassinets are typically smaller, and designed to be temporary.
For this reason, in general you can get bassinets for a very good price.
Mini cribs are larger than bassinets, and can often be safely used for several years.
With a sturdier build, basic mini cribs are typically more expensive than a basic crib.
However, bassinets can only be used for a few months, and then will need to be replaced by a crib.
A mini crib can be used for at least a year, and possibly much longer. So, in general a mini crib is the more expensive upfront purchase, but it tends to work out cheaper overall.
Final Thoughts On bassinet vs mini crib
There are advantages to both the mini crib and the bassinet, so this is a very personal choice.
The bassinet is best for access. You can keep it close to the bed, and it’s easy to reach in and out.
Bassinets also come with a lot of variety, including high-tech smart bassinets.
However, bassinets are temporary. After a few months, you will need to transition to a bigger bed.
Mini cribs last for several years, and take up less room than a standard crib.
We hope we’ve helped you to discover the differences between the mini crib and bassinet!
It isn’t an easy choice, but we know either option will provide your little one with a comfortable and safe space to sleep.
And if you’re looking for more great guides, make sure to check out these guides on mini crib vs pack and play, best mini crib mattress, best bassinet for small spaces and best SNOO alternatives.
Arm's Reach is a well trusted brand in the bassinet industry, creating quality, functional co-sleepers for parents. And the Cambria is no exception!
You can use the Cambria in two modes; a bedside bassinet, attached to the parent bed or stand-alone bassinet, anywhere you would like to put it.
The drop down mesh side makes for easy access to your baby, whilst features such as the the storage pockets as well as a platform enables you to store essentials close by. Perfect for C section and breastfeeding moms!
This bassinet also comes with everything you need including a mattress, fitted sheet, and a nylon strap, plus most importantly a plate to attach to the adult bed for safety.
The Dream On Me Addison is a Greenguard Gold Certified crib perfect for those looking for a mini crib that can be used long after your baby outgrows the crib function.
It comes with three adjustable mattress positions that can be lowered as your baby grows.
As well as it can easily be converted into a toddler bed, daybed, and twin-size bed so you can continue to use it long after your baby outgrows their crib.
This crib is also finished in a non-toxic paint with the choice of 8 different colors!
Dimensions: 38L x 24W x 32H inches
Maximum Weight: 50 Pounds
