Bedside Bassinets in Canada: What's Safe Next to Your Bed, and Which to Buy

In Canada, the safe way to keep your baby right beside your bed is a bassinet, cradle or crib that stands on its own next to it. Health Canada says in-bed sleepers and bedside sleepers that attach to your bed are not safe sleep spaces. It recommends your baby sleep in your room, in their own crib, cradle or bassinet, for the first 6 months. A bassinet only covers the first part of that: Health Canada says to move your baby to a crib or cradle once they can roll over, which often happens at 3 to 4 months, or sooner if they reach the bassinet's limits. Here's what to check, which stroller bassinets are made for overnight sleep, and the ones we carry.

Bedside bassinet or bedside sleeper?

The names get mixed up, so it helps to know what Health Canada means. A bedside sleeper (you'll also see the name co-sleeper) usually has three closed sides and one open side, sits against the adult bed and is often tied to it. Health Canada says sleepers that attach to your bed are not safe sleep spaces, and it lists bedside sleeping products among potentially unsafe children's products, because a baby can get trapped between the adult bed and the sleeper.

What Health Canada suggests instead is a crib, cradle or bassinet placed next to your bed, with all its sides up, standing on its own. Your baby is still within reach for night feeds. So when a product is called a "bedside bassinet," check two things: every side stays up while your baby sleeps, and you don't strap or tie it to your bed.

How long a bassinet lasts

For its regulations, Health Canada sorts sleep products by the size of the sleeping surface. Bassinets are the smallest, and they're meant for babies who can't roll over yet, which often happens at 3 to 4 months. Cradles are a little bigger and last until a baby can push up on hands and knees, often at 5 to 6 months. After that, it's a crib.

Every bassinet also has its own limits in its manual. Stop at whichever comes first: your baby rolling over, or the manual's weight, age or developmental limit. For the bassinets in this guide:

So whichever bassinet you choose, plan for the next step early. Our guide to convertible crib stages explains what comes after. You can also skip the bassinet and start with a crib: Health Canada says the safest place for a baby to sleep is a crib, cradle or bassinet that meets current Canadian regulations. Our bassinet, crib or playard guide compares the three.

What to check in any bassinet

These checks come from Health Canada, plus one rule from the manufacturers. They apply whether the bassinet is new, borrowed or second-hand:

• Canadian rules and labels. All new and used bassinets sold in Canada must meet current regulations. Look for a label with the model name or number and the date of manufacture, and keep the instructions.
• The mattress. Firm, and no thicker than 3.8 cm (1 1/2 in). Push it against one side and check the gap on the other side is 3 cm or less. Don't add a topper. UPPAbaby, Silver Cross and Maxi-Cosi also say to use only the mattress the bassinet came with, and never add a second one.
• The sheet. A fitted sheet made for that mattress size. Loose or baggy sheets can be unsafe.
• Bare is best. No pillows, blankets, bumper pads, sleep positioners or stuffed toys, and no baby lounger or nest inside the bassinet. For what your baby can wear to sleep instead of a blanket, see our guide to swaddling safely.
• The frame. If it has bars, they should be no more than 6 cm apart. Check the hardware and fabric often.
• Recalls. Search the model in Health Canada's recalls database, especially for a used bassinet.
• No changes. Don't modify it or repair it with parts that aren't from the original manufacturer.

Setting it up next to your bed

• Put it beside your bed, standing on its own on the floor, not on your bed, a sofa or another soft surface.
• Keep it away from windows, curtains, blind cords, lamps and electrical cords.
• Lay your baby on their back for every sleep, including naps.
• Check your manual before moving the bassinet with your baby in it. The Iora's manual, for example, says never to move or carry it with your child inside, or to use it near steps or stairs.

If you feed your baby in your bed, put them back in their bassinet afterwards. Health Canada says bed sharing increases the risk of SIDS and suffocation.

Stroller bassinets for overnight sleep

Health Canada says strollers and carriages aren't designed to be safe for sleep. Some stroller bassinets, though, are made to come off the stroller and work as a bassinet at home, and Health Canada says attachments like these may fall under the bassinet rules when used on their own. Not every stroller bassinet is made for this. Cybex, for example, says its carry cots aren't certified for sleeping. So use one overnight only if the maker says it's approved for overnight sleep, take it off the stroller, and set it up as the manual directs.

• UPPAbaby Bassinet V3, $239.99. For Vista and Cruz strollers, and the Ridge with adapters. It becomes an overnight bassinet with the UPPAbaby Bassinet Stand ($269.99, sold separately). The stand also fits the Vista V2 bassinet, the Vista bassinet from 2015 on and all Cruz bassinets, so if you already have one of those, you may only need the stand. Check your bassinet's manual for its limits. The stand doesn't fit Vista bassinets from 2014 or earlier.
• Silver Cross Reef 2 First Bed Folding Bassinet, $533.95. For the Reef 2 stroller. Silver Cross approves it for overnight sleep when it's used as the manual directs, and it folds flat into its base for storage. The stand is sold separately.

If your baby falls asleep in the stroller on a walk, move them to their bassinet or crib when you get home. For the stroller side of this, see stroller bassinet or lie-flat seat, when to move from the bassinet to the seat, and our Bassinet V3 vs Soma comparison.

A bassinet just for sleep

The Maxi-Cosi Iora ($399.99) is a bassinet made for the bedroom, with mesh sides you can see through. It has four heights and three slide positions to line it up with your bed, and a basket underneath for diapers and sleepwear. It folds into its own travel bag for visits to family, and the mattress pad cover can go in the washing machine on gentle. Its Canadian manual says to stop using it once your baby can roll over or reaches 9.1 kg (20 lb). Like any bassinet, set it up beside your bed, not attached to it. Our Iora vs Bugaboo Stardust comparison has more.

Smart bassinets

These rock or bounce on their own and play sounds. The basic rules don't change: your baby goes in on their back, the bassinet stays bare, and you stop at the limits.

• UPPAbaby Soma Smart Bassinet, $749.99. Five motions, five speeds and four sounds, controlled on the bassinet or from an app. Mesh sides, adjustable height and a storage basket. From birth to 6 months and 25 lb at most, or sooner if your baby pulls up, pushes up or sits unassisted.
• Maxi-Cosi Starling Smart Bassinet, $999.99. Five motions and three speeds, and it can respond to crying with motion or sound. Its CryAssist feature suggests whether a cry might mean sleepy, fussy, gassy, agitated or hungry, with 6 months of the service included. For babies up to 20 lb.

Wondering whether the extra cost is worth it? See is a smart bassinet worth it.

Playards with a bassinet

A playard with a bassinet attachment lasts longer than a bassinet alone, and it travels. Health Canada says a correctly assembled playpen bassinet attachment is safe for sleep until your baby can roll over or reaches the attachment's weight limit, whichever comes first. After that, Health Canada says playpens themselves aren't recommended for unsupervised sleep, because they're not as durable and safe as cribs, so plan on a crib for home. Our guide to travel cribs and playards lists the ones with a bassinet level, and our holiday sleep guide covers hotels and grandparents' homes.

Which one fits you?

Prices are in CAD and were current when we wrote this. Call our Richmond, Burnaby or Ottawa store ahead of your visit to ask which bassinets are on display.