A bassinet is a sleep space that’s specifically designed for newborns and younger babies. It’s smaller than a crib and typically placed next to your bed so you have easy access to your baby throughout the night. Many are also mobile so your baby can nap near you during the day. You can use a bassinet from day one until your baby is able to move around, push up on their hands or roll over, usually between about three months and five months old. Some bassinets have weight restrictions as well, so be sure to check the specific guidelines of your particular model. Our [bassinet shopping guide](https://www.babylist.com/hello-baby/best-bassinets) will help you decide which one works best for your family.

Do I need a bassinet?

A bassinet isn’t an absolute necessity—you can go straight to the crib—but it does have multiple benefits, and most expecting parents choose to add one to their baby registries. Some parents are sure that a bassinet is something they want to add to their baby registry, while others are happy to skip it altogether, if you’re trying to figure out if you really need a bassinet read our [bassinet 101 guide](https://www.babylist.com/hello-baby/do-you-need-a-bassinet).

What is a bedside sleeper?

A bedside sleeper is similar to a bassinet or a mini crib but has one additional feature: a retractable side that can be raised and lowered in order to provide direct and easy access to your baby. Many bedside sleepers also feature special safety straps or anchors that secure the sleeper to an adult bed. This provides additional stability to ensure the sleeper is secure, especially when the retractable wall is in use. Here are our top picks for [safe bedside sleepers](https://www.babylist.com/hello-baby/best-bedside-sleepers).

Should I get a mini crib?

A mini crib is a smaller version of a full-size crib. Mini cribs share many of the same features as full-size cribs, just in a reduced size. Does thinking about how to fit a crib—along with all the other baby gear—into your home throw you into a panic? Consider a mini crib. It’s a major space saver and sometimes a multitasker, too, doubling as a bassinet or transitioning into a toddler bed down the road. Our list of the [best mini cribs](https://www.babylist.com/hello-baby/best-mini-cribs) are expert-tested and parent-approved.

What is a smart crib?

Baby tech is making new parenthood easier than ever before. Smart cribs bring tech into the nursery and can help your baby sleep better and longer—and that is something we’re always here for. Smart cribs often include features like motion, sound, lights and vibrations. Some smart cribs detect your baby’s cries and respond with motion and sounds; others learn your baby’s sleep patterns and can even start soothing them before they fully wake up. (Many also offer sleep analytics so you can track and analyze your baby’s sleep over time.) Most smart cribs are Bluetooth compatible and can be controlled via an app on your phone or other devices, and some can be linked to Amazon Alexa or Google Home. [Babylist’s picks for the best smart cribs](https://www.babylist.com/hello-baby/best-smart-cribs) will help you find an option that has all the tech-y features you are looking for.

What baby things should I buy before birth?

There are a lot of things we buy for our babies before they arrive. Some, like diapers, are super important. Others, maybe not. If you’re hoping to take a minimalist approach or simply want to start with the basics and see what baby likes—and you too!—before you buy more, this [list of baby must-haves](https://www.babylist.com/hello-baby/baby-essentials) will help take you from the hospital to home and get you through the early weeks.

A bassinet is a sleep space that’s specifically designed for newborns and younger babies. It’s smaller than a crib and typically placed next to your bed so you have easy access to your baby throughout the night. Many are also mobile so your baby can nap near you during the day. You can use a bassinet from day one until your baby is able to move around, push up on their hands or roll over, usually between about three months and five months old. Some bassinets have weight restrictions as well, so be sure to check the specific guidelines of your particular model. Our [bassinet shopping guide](https://www.babylist.com/hello-baby/best-bassinets) will help you decide which one works best for your family.

Do I need a bassinet?

A bassinet isn’t an absolute necessity—you can go straight to the crib—but it does have multiple benefits, and most expecting parents choose to add one to their baby registries. Some parents are sure that a bassinet is something they want to add to their baby registry, while others are happy to skip it altogether, if you’re trying to figure out if you really need a bassinet read our [bassinet 101 guide](https://www.babylist.com/hello-baby/do-you-need-a-bassinet).

What is a bedside sleeper?

A bedside sleeper is similar to a bassinet or a mini crib but has one additional feature: a retractable side that can be raised and lowered in order to provide direct and easy access to your baby. Many bedside sleepers also feature special safety straps or anchors that secure the sleeper to an adult bed. This provides additional stability to ensure the sleeper is secure, especially when the retractable wall is in use. Here are our top picks for [safe bedside sleepers](https://www.babylist.com/hello-baby/best-bedside-sleepers).

Should I get a mini crib?

A mini crib is a smaller version of a full-size crib. Mini cribs share many of the same features as full-size cribs, just in a reduced size. Does thinking about how to fit a crib—along with all the other baby gear—into your home throw you into a panic? Consider a mini crib. It’s a major space saver and sometimes a multitasker, too, doubling as a bassinet or transitioning into a toddler bed down the road. Our list of the [best mini cribs](https://www.babylist.com/hello-baby/best-mini-cribs) are expert-tested and parent-approved.

What is a smart crib?

Baby tech is making new parenthood easier than ever before. Smart cribs bring tech into the nursery and can help your baby sleep better and longer—and that is something we’re always here for. Smart cribs often include features like motion, sound, lights and vibrations. Some smart cribs detect your baby’s cries and respond with motion and sounds; others learn your baby’s sleep patterns and can even start soothing them before they fully wake up. (Many also offer sleep analytics so you can track and analyze your baby’s sleep over time.) Most smart cribs are Bluetooth compatible and can be controlled via an app on your phone or other devices, and some can be linked to Amazon Alexa or Google Home. [Babylist’s picks for the best smart cribs](https://www.babylist.com/hello-baby/best-smart-cribs) will help you find an option that has all the tech-y features you are looking for.

What baby things should I buy before birth?

There are a lot of things we buy for our babies before they arrive. Some, like diapers, are super important. Others, maybe not. If you’re hoping to take a minimalist approach or simply want to start with the basics and see what baby likes—and you too!—before you buy more, this [list of baby must-haves](https://www.babylist.com/hello-baby/baby-essentials) will help take you from the hospital to home and get you through the early weeks.

Bassinets & bedside sleepers

Small baby beds perfect for newborns with easy access to your baby through the night.

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