A bassinet is a basket for a newborn baby that most new parents want to set up in their bedroom so they can keep their new bundle of joy close at hand. It can be portable, on wheels or light weight so it can be easily moved from room to room for convenience.  Bassinets are designed to house your baby until he/she is 20 to 25lbs, can push up or roll over by themselves, whichever comes first. This type of baby bed is no longer safe once your child reaches that stage.

Baby bassinets come in a variety of shapes and sizes. The traditional style is oblong in shape and has a hood that fits over one end. It can have wheels, be converted into a rocker, or be adjusted to be stationary. Most of the bassinet styles have a shelf underneath for storage of needed items. The bedding and ruffles range from basic and simple to very fancy with layers of ruffles. Most are made of cotton fabric, are machine washable and come in a variety of colors with matching ruffles and or ribbons. Newer styles are available in round and oval, which eliminates corners for the baby to get trapped in. The round bassinet and oval bassinet have a canopy cover with ruffles and drapes to make your baby feel safe and secure. They also come in a variety of colors.

Bassinets should have no sharp or rough edges, should be constructed of quality materials and be very stable. The styles that are on wheels should have adequate locking mechanisms to prevent rolling when not being observed. The mattress should fit snugly with no space around the edges or the ends, this will help prevent any chance of suffocation.

The standard size for the traditional bassinet is 33in x 18in x 39in and most are rated to hold babies up to 25 pounds. The sleeping area for the baby is 12in x 29in. The round bassinet is 32in L x 32in W x 49in H and is 31 inches from the rim to the floor, it is 32 inches diameter and 8.5in deep and is rated to hold baby up 20 pounds.  The oval bassinet is 32in L x 25in W x 53.5in H and measures 29.5in from the top rim to the floor, the interior measures 32in L x 25in W x 7.5in deep and is also rated up to 20 pounds.  These sizes may vary slightly depending on the make, and model. All models are very safe for your new baby, your choice depends on your personal likes and dislikes, and the amount of space available in your home.