I got a bassinet cos I had thought I'd have DS in our room (little did I know just how loudly he would snore! ). I did find it good (mine was on wheels) so sometimes useful to wheel him in it & settle him, and also get him used to sleeping in different places. On the flip side, he was out of it before 12 weeks, not due to length, but he loved to sleep with his arms straight out (think scarecrow) and seemed much happier in his cot.

Sooooo IMHO - definitely not essential, but if you're gonna have more than one, helps make it better value for money. Comes down to your budget I guess.

Oh and I did get some bassinet sheets which I found ok, cos he was just in a wrap - so never used blankets with it really. If you buy a set of sheets, you can use either the top flat or the bottom fitted - as your bottom sheet (I only ever had one sheet on it) - so can get away with one set only if you really want 'em. But also, bunny rugs and things do just as well in there.

If I had my time again, I'd probably hunt down a second-hand one, or hire (I hear some councils or hospitals hire?). But, I'm lending mine to friends before I have #2, so I'm happy it's getting used (and I am very emotionally attached to it!). I also managed to buy floorstock on at a discounted price too.

Oh and on the cots, I couldn't live without my single-hand dropside - cheapest one I found with this was the kingparrot. I'd avoid the two button/lever thing like the plague! (so saying, I'm short & DH is tall - hence he always leaves it up, and I'm always putting it down one-handed with a baby on the other arm!)

happy shopping!