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A bassinet is the very first bed for your little darling. It is a French word meaning a basin. So in general it refers to a small oblong bed for a new born. They are suitable up to the age till when the kid can not sit unassisted.

The coziness of the small space within the bassinet appears to be comforting to the infant. Most of the baby bassinets are portable with wheels which can be secured at one place with locks. So it gives comfort and security to the baby and the sense of safety to the parents. If you are planning to breast feed the baby during night, the baby bassinet can be directly placed in to your bed.

Most bassinets come with detachable hoods, and sometimes with foldable legs for saving space. They are made up of lightweight materials such as wicker or wood and painted white to be gender neutral. But different colors and finishes can be imparted to make it exclusive and to match with other nursery furniture. You can decorate the bassinet with matching frilly skirts, or flounces circling the base, ribbons, hanging toys, mobiles which will keep the baby entertained.

Before buying a baby bassinet you should check out if it conforms to the prevailing safety guidelines. There should not be any rough edges to cause a bruise to the delicate skin of the baby. Make sure the mattress pad fits securely. There should never be a gap between the pad and the bassinet edge of more than 2.5 inches as this can entangle the delicate fingers or body parts of the baby. A wider gap can result in accidental suffocation. The mattress should not leave any thread or string.

If it comes with the option of folding, make sure the locks and latches are set properly. If it vibrates or rocks with some electronic arrangement, find out what type of batteries are being used and they do not pose any overheating hazard. The decoration and finish should be non toxic lead free substance. You should consider one most important point before buying a bassinet for your baby. If you have older children or a pet, don't let them tip over the bassinet or cradle.