When DD was born she went straight into her cot in her own room - we had a couple of unsettled nights at first, but one of my previously worn t-shirts under the sheet fixed that and she was fine. Admittedly her room practically adjoined mine and with both doors open I could hear her clearly as soon as she started to stir as I'm a pretty light sleeper.
This time I'm planning a cradle in our room to begin with as the baby's room is at the opposite end of the house, plus we're inheriting the cot from SIL and our neice is still using it - the cradle will give a bit more time for the adjustment if needed. But it's all about what works for you and what you're comfortable with. Possibly seeing if you can pick up a second hand bassinet might be the go as even the bigger ones usually only do about 6 months or so.
We haven't bothered with one for DD. We wanted to see if we'd really use it, and then we were going to hire them - you'll generally only use it for 6 months so the expense was too much for us to buy one.
We're getting DD used to sleeping in a variety of places. For the first weeks (and even now when it's really cold) she had her day naps in the bassinette attached to her pram. That meant she got used to falling asleep with the noise and light around her during the day. Now if it's not too cold she has her day naps in her cot in her room. At night she sleeps in a portacot set up next to our bed - it has an attachment so that the base is raised like a bassinette and it's much easier to get to her. Or if she's really unsettled she'll come into bed with us.
If you really want one, I'd recommend looking at a hiring place, as what you plan to do and what you actually do can change, and some babies don't end up liking their bassinettes at all!
I got lent a bassinet from a friend, I had already purchased a cot for DS room (next to ours).
But in the end, I don't use either at night, as DS co-sleeps in our bed. When he co-sleeps he will sleep for 4-5hr blocks, in the bassinet he would startle himself more and wouldn't sleep for more than 45min before stirring and wanting me.
I've just started putting DS into his cot for little day sleeps, but the bassinet hasn't had any use from about 3 weeks.
It is very good to have them within arms reach for the first 6 months, it reduces SIDS risk and also is great if you are breastfeeding. BUT I would hire, or check gumtree or ebay for one second hand, I wouldn't lay out expense on a new one, especially if you think you might try bed-sharing like I do.
Hmmm, it's hard to decide in advance when you don't know if your baby will prefer sleeping in their own bed or on your boobs, lol. I got a bassinette on wheels, and frankly don't know what we'll do when he's too big for it. He hates his cot, but will tolerate his bassinette either beside my bed or in his own room. Mostly though, he wants to sleep on me. Sometimes I use the pram instead, in the name of getting him used to variations. I seriously dread the day he's too big for old whitey (the bassinette) lol.
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