Before taking your newborn child home from the hospital, it is crucial for you to be prepared. Early preparation is essential because newborns need special care, and you want to be sure that everything is ready. One of the things that you need to acquire is a comfortable and safe environment for your child to rest. A bassinet is one of the things that mums will purchase for their babies. Here are five things to keep in mind before buying a bassinet.
Space
Bassinets come in a wide range of sizes and have different features. Therefore, you should consider the space in your home before making your purchase. You need your cradle to be placed in a space that is free of clutter. Therefore, you should determine where the bassinet will be positioned most of the time, and choose one that is ideal for your space.
Portability
When buying a bassinet, you should always choose one that is easy to transport. Portability is crucial because mums will want to keep their babies close to them during the day and even at night. Portable bassinets will come in handy when you have to move the baby around from different rooms. This is because you will not experience any major disturbance that will wake the newborn up impulsively.
Comfort
When buying the best bassinet on the market, it is crucial that you check the mattress to ensure that it is comfortable. The mattress should not be too firm or too soft for the baby. You can check the firmness of the mattress by dipping your fingers in it. The mattress is extremely soft if the fingers sink down easily. Conversely, if the finger does not make an indentation, then it is extremely firm. To ensure comfort, your finger should quickly bounce up from the mattress.
Ease of assembling and dismantling
When buying a bassinet, you should determine whether it is easy to assemble and dismantle. This is important because parents may transport their newborn babies to another family member, a family friend, or to the babysitter regularly. With a flexible bassinet, there will be an easier and better commute. Nobody wants to purchase a cradle that is way complicated and takes several hours to put up or dismantle.
Quality and Features
When buying a bassinet, you should ensure that it is sturdy so that it does not move when the baby is sleeping inside. The wheels on the legs should have a locking mechanism and have a leg lock to inhibit collapsing. You should also consider the features, for example, a storage basket, hooded, removable base, canopy, rocking mechanism, a music system, and many more. Choose a bassinet that has the features that you want.
Budget
Bassinets come in a wide range of prices to suit the financial needs of different families. It is best that you set a budget for your bassinet to know how much you are willing to spend. Consider the comfort and safety features of a bassinet that suits your price range. Whatever price or budget you settle for, safety should always be your priority when buying a bassinet.
You should always remember that bassinets are not ideal for babies who are over four months, or when a baby begins to roll or learns to crawl. When the baby grows, you will have to switch him/her to the crib. You can pass the bassinet down and get value from it with other babies that you will have in future. You can use your bassinet for storing the toys, or for the everyday needs of your baby.
