Bassinet vs. Pack ‘n Plays: The Perfect Bedside Sleep Solution for Your Baby
8 minute read
Whether you’re looking for the best pack n’ play for traveling or the perfect bassinet for small spaces, the truth is most parents will need a portable sleep solution for their little one.
Maybe you’re planning to have your newborn sleep in your room, or you want the freedom to tote your new bundle of joy to grandma’s house for the weekend…
It’s important for your baby to have a safe sleep environment every time they drift off into dreamland.
We’re here to help you find the perfect sleep solution for your baby!
Let’s take a look at our favorite bassinets and pack ‘n plays so that you can find the perfect place for your sweet little sleeper.
Bassinet vs. Crib
As you prepare the nursery for your little one, you may wonder… Do I need a bassinet?
This is a common question to ask, especially if you’re a first time parent.
For many parents, it can be helpful to start off with your newborns in your room. This can make it easier to tackle midnight diaper changes and feed your baby throughout the night…without having to trek all the way to their nursery.
If you think you’ll want your newborn to sleep in your room during the first few weeks or months of their life, you’re probably going to want a bassinet.
Letting your little one sleep in their own sleep space — whether it’s a crib, bassinet, or pack ‘n play — is the safest way for them to sleep. And according to the American Academy of Pediatrics… This is one of the top ways you can prevent SIDS (read more about the AAP’s safe sleep recommendations HERE).
What Bassinet is Right for You?
When it comes to portable sleep solutions for your little one… Should you get a traditional bassinet? A stroller bassinet? Or maybe a pack ‘n play?
You could go with a traditional bassinet, but with so much baby gear out there, we’ve found that many families want to have fewer baby items that they can use in multiple ways.
That’s why we love the cross-functionality of bassinet stroller attachments and pack ‘n plays that come with bassinet.
A safe sleep space for your baby at home? Check!
A comfy, familiar environment for your little one on the go? You bet!
Both the bassinet stroller and pack ‘n play have a ton of handy features to help make life with a newborn easier. If you really want to cover all your bases, you may want both options! But for many families, having one or the other works just fine.
Here are some helpful insights into each option, so that you can make the right choice for you and your family.
What is a Bassinet Stroller Attachment?
A bassinet stroller attachment is one of our favorite stroller accessories. Many popular stroller brands — like Nuna, UPPAbaby, and Stokke — offer bassinet options that allow you to transform your stroller into a super cute pram for your baby.
Unlike a newborn insert or your baby’s car seat, a bassinet stroller attachment allows your baby to lie completely flat. Your baby can use a bassinet stroller from birth usually until they are old enough to sit up on their own.
A stroller bassinet has a comfy, flat bottom and safe, cushioned sides. Most come with a removable canopy to provide extra darkness for your baby along with protection from the elements while you’re out and about.
Bassinet stroller attachments are super lightweight and easy to attach to your baby’s stroller. Simply click on the bassinet stroller attachment and you and your newborn baby will be ready for whatever adventures the day has in store!
And the best part? Stroller bassinet attachments often come with a stand — making it super easy to transfer the bassinet to your bedroom for nighttime sleep.
Benefits of Bassinet Stroller
There are some amazing benefits of a bassinet stroller attachment.
If you live an active lifestyle and anticipate wanting to be out and about with your baby quite often… You’ll have peace of mind that you’re providing a safe sleep environment for your newborn while on the go.
Because as the AAP recommends, laying flat on their back is the safest way for your baby to sleep.
Some other benefits of a bassinet stroller are:
- Perfect for small spaces in your home (less bulky than a traditional pack ‘n play).
- Most strollers aren’t suited for newborns — but with this attachment you can use your stroller from birth.
- Keep a close eye on your newborn — whether you’re at home or on the go.
- Provide a consistent sleep environment for your baby to boost your little one’s sleep!
A stroller bassinet attachment is also a cost-effective option to provide your baby with a safe sleep environment…without having to accumulate all the extra baby gear.
Best Bassinet Stroller
We love that our favorite stroller brands include bassinet attachments as one of their main stroller accessories. UPPAbaby, Nuna, Bumbleride and Stokke…It’s hard to go wrong!
Once you’ve picked out the best stroller that meets your family’s needs, it’s easy to add the stroller bassinet attachment!
Here are some of our favorite bassinet stroller accessories:
UPPAbaby Bassinet
$199 — Compatible with UPPAbaby VISTA (2015-later) and all UPPAbaby CRUZ strollers. Connects easily with the UPPAbaby bassinet stand (sold separately).
Photo of UPPAbaby Stroller Bassinet attachments
Nuna MIXX Series Bassinet & Stand
$400. Easily and securely connects to the Nuna MIXX series stroller frame. Comes with MIXX bassinet stand – no adapters needed.
Photo of Nuna MIXX Series Bassinet & Stand
Bumbleride Bassinet
$219 — Compatible with 2016-2022 Bumbleride Era, Indie, and Speed (shop Bumbleride strollers HERE). Bassinet stand not included.
Photo of Bumbleride Bassinet
Stokke Xplory X Carry Cot
$259 — Attaches to Stokke Xplory X stroller. Bassinet stand not included.
Photo of Stokke Xplory X Carry Cot
What is a Pack ‘n Play with a Bassinet?
You may be familiar with pack ‘n plays… But did you know that many pack ‘n plays come with a removable bassinet option?
Pack ‘n plays have been a standard for young families for years and years. Particularly for naps on the go and creating a safe play area for toddlers.
But many parents don’t realize that most modern pack ‘n plays come with amazing accessories — like a removable bassinet! This amazing feature makes pack ‘n plays the perfect bedside sleeping solution for new parents.
Pack ‘n plays are a 4-sided frame with mesh sides so that you can keep an eye on your little one. We like the pack n’ plays that sit up off the ground for proper air ventilation and come with a firm mattress that meets the AAP’s Safe Sleep guidelines.
Benefits of Pack ‘n Play with Bassinet
Pack ‘n plays are a great option if you’re interested in longevity and getting the most out of your baby gear.
From the first days home with your newborn, you can have peace of mind that your baby’s sleep environment is safe with the included bassinet attachment. And pack ‘n plays are perfect not only for infants, but for toddlers and even young kiddos.
They are a staple for their versatility as both a safe play and sleep space. Pack ‘n plays are super easy to set up (once you’ve done it a time or two!) and also collapse down — making them a perfect travel crib option.
Pack n’ plays will work great at home and on the go — making them an easy choice if you travel often or want the ability to create a safe sleep environment for your baby at grandma’s, a friend’s house, a hotel or vacation rental.
Best Pack ‘n Play with Bassinet
If you’re looking for a portable bassinet option for your baby — look no further than a pack ‘n play with a bassinet! They are great as a bedside sleeping solution and fold up super easy to travel along with you and your little one.
Here are two of Babies in Bloom’s favorite pack ‘n play options with bassinets:
Parent Favorite: Nuna SENA aire with Zip-Off Bassinet
Photo of Nuna SENA aire playard
$350 — From the first night home with your little one…to their toddler years… The SENA aire playard from Nuna is a perfect choice for parents that want a safe place for their baby to sleep and play during their first years.
We really appreciate how Nuna considered the many needs of busy parents that want to best for their baby. Not only does the SENA aire playard come with a zip-in bassinet and super comfy mattress…an organic sheet and even a changing station are included! And it all fits in the handy travel case.
With all the thoughtful features and light-weight design, the SENA aire is great for naps on the go or traveling out of town with your baby. It was designed to be a breeze to set up, making it a perfect choice for creating a familiar environment no matter where you adventure with your little one.
Top Pick: UPPAbaby Remi Playard
Photo of UPPAbaby Remi Playard
$299 — UPPAbaby has a great pack ‘n play option — their Remi Playard. It’s slightly more affordable than Nuna’s pack ‘n play and comes in 4 cute colors that will compliment any style and decor.
Our favorite feature? The zip side entry! You don’t have to bend over the side to put your baby down for a nap. It’s also so easy to comfort your baby or give them their pacifier any time they need it.
Another bonus is the temperature-regulated mattress that is included with the Remi. Not only is the mattress machine washable, it’s made from air mesh for improved breathability — even if your little one rolls over onto their tummy!
We also love that the Remi is so easy to use and is super compact — the bassinet attachment folds up easily and fits in the travel bag so that you only have to carry one piece.
Our Favorite UPPAbaby Remi Playard Accessories:
These accessories from UPPAbaby can make life with a newborn so much easier!
Perfect for creating a dark, cozy sleeping area for your baby — no matter how bright the room is! — the Remi Canopy easily attaches directly to the playard. It even has a UPF 50+ coverage and bug protection if you want to take the Remi outdoors!
When you don’t have your changing table nearby… You need a convenient place to stash all your baby changing gear. The UPPAbaby changing station organizer is the perfect addition to your playard to hold diapers, wipes, diaper cream…you name it!
More Sleep Solutions for Your Baby:
We know how daunting it can feel to find the right baby gear for your little one. That’s why the products we recommend and feature in the Babies in Bloom boutique are loved by both parents and babies alike!
Browse our convertible cribs and mini beds. Check out our helpful sleep tools. Pick out a snuggly soft swaddle or sleep sack.
Shop online or stop by the Babies in Bloom Boutique to chat with one of our representatives if you have any questions.
We also have other helpful sleep tips in the Babies in Bloom Blog!
Boutique Website: https://babies-in-bloom.myshopify.com/
Boutique Address: 127 Main Street, Vista, CA 92084
Boutique Hours: Monday – Saturday: 9 am – 4 pm (We are closed on Sunday!)
