Should I buy a bassinet stroller?
First off, what is a bassinet?
Starting with the basics, a bassinet is a small crib for those first few months of a baby’s life. It often refers to the mini cribs parents use at home to provide a safe and cozy sleep environment for their infants. As our lives are busy, there is also a “to-go” version of a bassinet. It is the attachment that many, especially premium stroller brands now offer to provide safe sleep on the go. Parents get peace of mind as they go for a stroll in the park, relax at a café or visit grandma while their new baby has the best place to rest and nap.
Bassinets allow your baby to lie flat with room to move vs being propped up on an incline, tucked in like it is typical for when they are in a car seat. Whether a bassinet is necessary in addition to a car seat is a question expecting parents often ask themselves when it comes to transporting their little ones during the first few months. We have a separate blog post on the use of car seats outside of the car but let’s focus on the bassinet for now.
Why lying flat is the most comfortable and safest position for your newborn?
“Inclined positions lead to significantly decreased oxygen saturation and decreased heart rates”
Experts have long recommended that laying a newborn on a flat, firm surface is the best ergonomic position to sleep in. It’s crucial for your baby’s growth and brain development that they can move and stretch their growing arms and legs.
Even more importantly, in a lie-flat position, babies can get all the oxygen they need, and their head, spine and hips will be in the best position for a healthy development.
Researchers at the Bristol University found that putting a baby in a 40-degree inclined position (typical of a car seat) “leads to significantly increased heart and respiratory rates, and decreased oxygen saturation”. In a lie-flat position, no similar negative effects were noticeable.
How does the lie-flat position help my baby’s spinal and hip development?
A lie-flat position helps the spine develop in the correct way, says Hannah Spink, Specialist Pediatric Physiotherapist.
“For a baby’s spine to develop naturally in the way it’s supposed to, [parents] should aim for a lie-flat position. In [this] position, the hips will naturally turn into external rotation and abduction, which is the point where the hips are contained within the socket. If you force a baby to sit up [in a stroller or car seat], then you could potentially compromise that position.” says Hannah Spink.
A newborn’s spine is in C shape as they have been curled up in the womb up until this point. As they develop, the curves of their spine slowly grow from this C shape into an S shape. Now, when your baby is in a car seat for extended periods of time, they are restricted to the C curve position due to the shape of the seats. Spending time on a flat surface is the best way to counterbalance time spent in a car seat and support a healthy spinal development.
Can a baby sleep in a stroller bassinet?
Yes, absolutely! As always, newborns should be monitored and the advice of not using any loose blankets, pillows or stuffed animals while sleeping applies to bassinets just as it does for cribs or any other sleep setting. Babies should never be in a position where they can pull any of those soft materials over their face or cover their mouth.
Some bassinets are also rated safe for overnight sleep, making them an excellent addition to your newborn essentials and could save you yet another costly purchase. They definitely come in handy for naps at grandma’s place, a snooze while you enjoy some me time at a dinner party or as a mobile crib during a weekend getaway.
Should I buy a bassinet stroller?
Back to the initial question, YES you should buy a bassinet stroller. More and more brands now offer this option at different price points providing more families with safe sleep options on the go (and at home). Bassinets support your baby’s spinal, hip and brain development AND help them in getting enough oxygen while they rest and nap.
If those aren’t pretty convincing reasons we don’t know what would be…
Enjoy your bassinet and the peace of mind it gives you during those first months of your new life as a parent :)
Front or Rear facing?
What’s that all about?
You may have heard of terms like parent facing, rear or back facing and forward or front facing seats when you started your journey into the stroller world.
While it is one thing to figure out what that means, it’s another story to know what’s best for you and your baby.
Did you know which way your baby or toddler faces in their stroller impacts both you and them? A parent facing position benefits you both especially when the kids are under 2 years old. It helps keeping you and your baby connected, encourages more interactions and is developmentally better as well as physically safer for your little one. It also provides you peace of mind as you can keep a close eye on them.
As they get older you may want to turn them front facing so they can see more of the world around them which also benefits their learning and development. Many quality strollers offer seats that can be used both parent- and front-facing and can easily be switched on the go.
We would recommend those strollers that let you pick. You and your little one should be in the driver’s seat, not the stroller manufacturer. However, being able to switch the direction is only important for the seat. If you are using a bassinet or carry cot during the first few months of your baby’s life you always want to keep it parent-facing to make sure your baby is safe and sound in it.
Starting to use your new ride?
Here are the Do’s and Don’ts of using the stroller with your baby or toddler.
Do’s
Always buckle up! ALWAYS!! Make sure the harness is properly in place and the space for their little legs doesn’t allow them to slide through. The harness should be buckled snuggly. What is snuggly, you ask? If you can slide your flat hand between the straps and your little one’s chest it’s perfect. When it’s too loose, it can become a strangulation risk.
Secure your coffee! That liquid gold, your life line - a daily necessity, always at hand. But please don’t carry hot liquids that can easily spill into your stroller cup holder. Babies' skin is so sensitive and can burn very easily.
Keep it dry. Store your stroller indoors in a dry environment and away from wet floors to prevent mold in the soft materials and avoid rust on the frame. Same applies to cleaning the stroller. Use a damp cloth with mild soap and water solution free of any harsh chemicals when cleaning the fabric and make sure it is fully dried before storing or using it again.
Use an age appropriate stroller. Don’t place your baby in a stroller seat too early. Ensure your little one has full head and neck control which they generally do around 6 months before transitioning to a standard stroller seat. Checking the guidelines of your particular stroller or even checking in with your paediatrician if you aren’t sure may be helpful.
Be careful with toys. If you hang toys from a stroller bumper bar to entertain your little one, make sure that the toys are securely fastened and any strings like for teething chains are not longer than 8 inches to avoid strangulation.
Check for recalls. Fill out and return the stroller warranty card that comes with your new stroller so that you'll be notified in case of a recall. If you're considering a used stroller, check that the stroller hasn't been recalled.
Watch those little fingers. Even though strollers are designed to minimize the risk of pinching when folding, keep your baby away from the stroller as you fold and unfold it. Double check whether the stroller is properly locked in the unfolded position before you put your child in it.
Don’ts
Don’t forget the brakes! Engage the stroller brakes whenever you stop the stroller - whether you are reaching for their favorite snack in the storage bag, making sure your little one is comfortable or tying your shoelaces. Even the slightest slope can cause a runaway stroller.
Don’t leave your baby unattended in his or her stroller. Stay close by or make sure somebody else who you trust can watch them.
Don't hang heavy bags from the handlebar. Use the storage bag in the bottom of the stroller for heavy items. Hanging those off the handlebar can make a stroller tip over.
Don’t leave the stroller out in the sun. Outdoor time is great for those tiny humans, but don't let your baby's stroller sit in the sun for long periods of time. Some plastic and metal pieces could become hot enough to burn your baby. If you left the stroller empty in the sun, check the stroller's surface temperature before placing your baby in it.
Don’t use covers on the stroller. You may feel tempted to cover the opening of the stroller with a blanket to block out distractions for your little one. Don’t do it. If you can’t avoid it, always make sure that there is sufficient air flow into the stroller and keep in mind that it can get incredibly hot in there really quickly when closed off.
Don’t use the car seat for long stroller walks. If you move your baby's car seat from your vehicle to a stroller base, you might be tempted to let your baby finish naps in the car seat. However, it is not recommended to use car seats for sleep when not traveling. Experts suggest not letting your child sleep or relax in the car seat for more than two hours.
PRO TIP: Don’t use small and hard snacks on stroller rides. Avoid anything chokable like grapes, blueberries, nuts or hard candy. A bumpy ride could quickly turn into a choking hazard with those types of foods.
Health-e Pediatrics
The virtual pediatric clinic on your phone
Medically reviewed by
Kelly Ochoa, MD.
Kelly is Double Board Certified in General Pediatrics and Pediatric Emergency Medicine and has seen various stroller related injuries throughout her career. As a mom of 4 little girls (wow!), she also has had her fair share of experience using strollers and avoiding any injuries for her little ones.
Kelly is now running Health-e Pediatrics, a virtual evening and weekend pediatric practice in California for parents who need medical advice after hours. She also publishes many useful tips on kid's health on her website and blog.
Follow @healthepediatrics on FB and IG.
Kelly Ochoa, MD
Mom of 4 girls & Expert stroller user