Bassinet vs Cot for newborn

[wantabub]

Hi lovely ladies, I am after your views on using a bassinet vs putting bubs straight into it's cot.
I was a bassinet baby and so was my DP so my mum and MIL have both recommended using one (although it did seem to be the done thing back in the 70's).
Im thinking bubs would be a bit more snug in the bassinet in the early days vs having a lot of open space around them in the cot but i also think im just over thinking things aarrrrghhhh
Then there is the mobility of the bassinet and being able to have it in our room at night if needed but then that is whole other discussion and i haven't decided if I want bub in my room yet (again getting lots of advise on both ways).
So please what have you done and what would you recommend to a first time mumma.
Thanks in advance.

[RhiChiChi]

I used a bassinett with our DD for the first 14 weeks in our room then she was still in the bassinett in her own room for a few more weeks after that then she transferred to her cot. I found the bassinett so easy b/c I am short & even though the cot was raised, I found it difficult to put DD in without waking her, particularly when she was so little/young. I am going with a bassinett this time around - just won a second hand one on eBAY, I can't rave about them enough. We used to wheel DD around the house - from our room, to her room, to the lounge room etc....

[Bella29]

We use a bassinet just because it takes up way less room and because it is very movable. I can take her into my room at nights. Mind u I am co sleeping. People keep commenting on how amazing I look for a mum of a 7 week old, but to be honest, because we r co sleeping, when dd starts to rouse, I hear her snuffling and put her on the boob and we both go back to sleep, so we arnt really waking up often or for very long.

My advice is to not make to many plans on how u will do it. When I had our first dd, I was sure I would never co sleep or have her in our room. As it turned out I had a c/s. I couldn't actually lift her out of the bassinet so I ende up sleeping with her. She slept thru from 6 weeks. So listen to everyones experiences, and take it on board and then when u r actually doing it, trust yourself! No one else knows you and ur child like u do.

Good luck!

X Bella


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk..... I'm probably feeding my cherub

[Jellyfish]

One thing worth knowing and considering is that SIDS and Kids recommends room sharing for the first 6 to 12months.

We have a cradle which is a little bigger than a bassinet but smaller than a cot. It is also on wheels so can be moved as required with ease. With both girls though I have ended up co-sleeping for the most part at night.

[Nai]

We had a wooden cradle on wheels for both girls. It was beside our bed at night for feeding and easily moved around the house during the day. I am also short so found it a better height for transferring baby especially after a c/s.

[LuluHB]

I had a cradle for DD1 so she could be in with us, but not take up so much space with a cot. On wheels so I could move it around a bit during the day. She was in it for about 6 months from memory before moving to her cot upstairs. DD2 was supposed to be in the cradle, but wouldn't sleep anywhere except next to or on me.

For this baby I have a hammock, which hopefully she will like. Its not on wheels, but still very light so I should be able to move it around a bit to suit wherever I am during the day.

[Cranky Kitten]

I've gone both ways - DD went straight into her cot in her own room, DS is in a cradle in my room but has daysleeps either in his cot in his room or the portacot in the loungeroom so he's in the a/c.

For me the difference was how far away from my room is bub's room. DD was right next door, with the doors open and me being a light sleeper I could hear her stirring at night with no problems. She was also quite a loud/mobile sleeper so would've kept me awake having her in the same room. DS's room however is right down the other end of the house at the end of a long corridor. I'm not comfortable having him that far away from me at night, and it's lots easier when getting up for night feeds. He's a much quieter sleeper though, so no real problems having him in my room until he gets too big for his cradle.

I think if you're able, give yourself the option of either and play it by ear once bub arrives.

[wantabub]

Thanks for the great advice!
I totally agree that only me and bubba will know whats best for us and im sure we'll work it out as we go along.
Bubs room is directly across from mine so I will be able to see in there lying in my bed (about 8mt or so away) and I also have a monitor ready to go.
I think for the small cost (in comparison to some of the other baby equipment) I will get one so that I have both bases covered. We are in a double storey with all bedrooms upstairs so im thinking a bassinet would be handy to have down stairs for during the day anyway.
Much appreciated xxx

[kristi14]

We have used a bassinette for all 7 of ours and i would use one again if we are lucky enough to have any more.

Bassinetts might not get used for long but they are not expensive either. I find them to be an essential for all the reasons you listed.................ease of movement around the house, more snug for baby, ease of having the bassinette next to your bed

[Cassius2]

we used a bassinet (well moses basket and stand) for both our bubs and i plan on doing the same with this bub. i love that they are snug in there and can be brought around the house when they are asleep.

[Loveinamist]

Get the cheapest thing....they end up choosing where they sleep lol! My DS probably slept a total of 24 hours in his bassinette...the rest of his newborn first months was spent sleeping in my closecarrier sling or in bed with me. We spent too much money on cots and bassinettes that just didn't get used.

ETA- on the question about being in your room or not, here in the UK they recommend that your baby sleeps in the same room as you (cot, bassinette or safe co-sleeping) for the first six months as it reduces the risk of SIDS. Not sure what the advice in Australia is but I guess it would be similar.

[Amity]

Have you thought about a hammock? I think I'd go a hammock if I had another baby.

[ebn_d]

I agree with Bella, get all the advice you can now but try not to settle on what you are going to do as the Bub might not agree with it lol.
We used a bassinet with ds, in our room for the first few months and then in his cot still in our room until about 6 months I think. We found we didn't move the bassinet around the house, but are most likely using one this time too and will prob more it around during the day So bubs is safe from ds lol.