Bassinet Stroller vs Conventional Stroller – How do they compare?

What is a Bassinet Stroller?

Bassinets and strollers are actually two different baby accessories altogether. So, why did we combine them and what’s the reason for using a bassinet stroller in the first place?

For starters, a bassinet is the best and safest place for your newborn to rest, nap or sleep and it gives new parents piece of mind that their baby is safe while they get some hands-free time. The stroller on the other hand is synonymous with getting out there and being on the move; a little getaway from the four walls of your home. Put these two together and you get safe sleep on-the-go.

You see, as a newbie parent, all this baby paraphernalia can seem to be overkill. There are too many baby gadgets that you just “have to have”. In reality some of them become a staple of your everyday life while others collect dust and rarely ever see any use at all.

Our bassinet stroller was one of the accessories that got its share of use, especially during the first 3 months. From walks in the park, window shopping at the mall, barbecue at a friend’s house and even an extended stay at grandmas. Our bassinet stroller did it all, and it gave us the confidence to leave the house knowing our son had a safe place to nap or sleep while we were out and about.

What Are Bassinet Strollers?

A bassinet stroller is simply a stroller frame with wheels that has a removable bassinet attached to it in place of the conventional seat. It has been specially designed to carry a newborn or infant baby in a lying down position.

And although many parents use car seats on strollers instead of bassinet strollers, you should know that it is not advisable to have a newborn in a car seat for extended periods of time. When you place your newborn baby in a car seat for hours, you are exposing him to some risks. Let me clarify.

Because car seats are slightly curved, placing your newborn on it causes their back to be slightly curved too. What this does is place them in a vulnerable position where his head (which is not yet fully supported by his neck strength) may end up leaning forward too much and restrict breathing.

Newborns or infants cannot fully support their own head well until at the very least 3 months of age. Thus, it is always best to place them on their back when you are not holding them or doing tummy time.

 A bassinet stroller allows your baby to relax and sleep in a position that allows optimal motor development and safe sleep.

According to AAP, putting a baby to sleep on their back reduces the risk of SIDS and is the only position a baby should be put down for naps or sleep.

How Long Can You Use a Bassinet Stroller?

Many parents are a little skeptical to buy a bassinet stroller. They argue that a baby will outgrow the bassinet stroller quickly. The reality is that the bassinet will be used over and over during the most critical months of your baby’s life and if you plan to do any sort of outings during the first six months it is essential that you have a safe place to lay down you baby while you go about your daily activities.

The bassinet itself on the majority of bassinet strollers can be used for 3 to 6 months depending on the model. However, most bassinet strollers can have the bassinet removed and easily be converted to toddler seats with one hand. This allows the same stroller be used with different seat attachments for years.

For instance, the UPPAbaby bassinet stroller is a top-rated option that is preferred for its versatility. It is a perfect stroller for newborns. And as your child grows older, the bassinet can be easily removed and replaced with the included toddler seat. The bassinet can also be attached to the stand for use in the bedroom or anywhere in your home.

And on top of that, the bassinet stroller has a bug shield, rain shield, and an adjustable peek-a-boo SPF50 canopy to protect your baby from the sun.

The Importance of Using A Bassinet Stroller

Still unsure whether you need a bassinet stroller for your newborn? Let’s break down  some of the benefits for you.

As you already know, a bassinet is a small bed that is made purposely for infants less than 6 months. Now, a bassinet stroller is a stroller that has a bassinet attached to it.

In other words, you can move with your baby from one place to another when they are deep asleep without having to wake them up.

You can also attach a footmuff to keep your baby warm during your morning walks. Or, you can wrap them snuggly using shawls or blankets to protect them from the cold, as long as they are being watched. No blankets and accessories while baby is sleeping alone

Some bassinet stroller models even come with removable bassinet aprons that provide the baby with the needed warmth for the cold days.

All in all, the bassinet stroller gives parent’s of newborns the freedom to move around all while keeping baby close by and is a safe position for extended periods of time. That is if you baby lets you put him down for that long without crying for some mommy or daddy love.

Features to Consider When Selecting A Bassinet Stroller

I think you’ll agree with me that running errands with a newborn is not easy. If you haven’t tried yet you will know what I mean very shortly. With this in mind, when considering a bassinet stroller make sure to consider storage space.

You’ll need a bassinet stroller that provides as much convenience as possible for when you have your hands full.

Below we’ll look at features you should look out for when searching for a bassinet stroller.

Portability

Portability is among the most important features that determine whether a bassinet stroller will work for your family. What is your lifestyle? Do you want a bassinet stroller for shopping? Or do you want a bassinet stroller to use during your routine morning walks? Or both?

If you are searching for a bassinet stroller to use at the mall, go for one that is lightweight and easily collapsible to fit in the trunk of your car.

On the other hand, a bassinet stroller to use simply for walks around the home should be well made and sturdy for use even on somewhat rugged terrains such as sidewalks or grass.

Ease of Set Up

Infants spend a better part of their day asleep even though it doesn’t seem that way sometimes. If you’re one of the lucky ones with a baby that naps well during the day, you’ll be surprised by the number of times you will get to use your bassinet stroller.

The more you use something, especially while holding a baby, the more you will either love it or hate it, so think about ease of setup and take down for you bassinet stroller. The best choice is one that can be folded ad unfolded effortlessly, ideally with one hand.

Duration of Use

I’m sure you are with me on this one: babies grow quite fast. One minute you are rocking a tiny newborn on your arms and before you know it, you have a toddler running around the house.

That’s why sometimes parents may choose to do without a bassinet stroller thinking that it will only be used for a few months.

However, there are some great convertible bassinet strollers that your newborn can grow into and easily out of into the next stage. They have convertible toddler seats that click on and off to replace the bassinet. On top of that, if they are well made they can be used for years and for multiple kids.

What We Don’t Like

The only complaint we have with bassinet strollers is the fact that when your newborn baby is very small and fragile, there is a lot of free space for baby to roll around in the bassinet since they are not attached in any way. If you turn too fast or hit a bumpy patch on the sidewalk you will notice how vulnerable a fresh newborn can look is a “big” bassinet.

We found that it took a few weeks after birth for us to feel comfortable strolling around with our newborn son, especially when outside. During the first few weeks, he would be easily affected by any small bump on the road and it would appear he could easily roll over onto his stomach or the side of the bassinet at any moment.

Once he grew a little bit and was slightly sturdier, it was a pleasure to go for walks outside or at the mall, bring him to restaurants or to the grandparents’ house for a visit. And we kept using it regularly for any event we attended outside of our home allowing us to nap him safely in his own portable bassinet anytime we needed to.

The Bottom Line

The bassinet stroller gives parents freedom and provide baby with a safe space to nap, sleep or just hang out for a while. There are so many situations in a new parent’s life where the bassinet stroller will come in handy and you will love bringing it with you everywhere you go.

In addition to that, a bassinet stroller is designed to allow your baby to lie flat on their backs. Most are even safe for your baby to sleep the entire night in. Plus, you’ll have a safe, warm, and cozy space for your baby during your outdoor strolls.