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Not always. Some stroller seats are approved from birth because they recline flat, sometimes with a newborn insert. Others aren't suitable until about 3 to 6 months, so a newborn needs a bassinet, an insert or an infant car seat until then. The first step is to check what your stroller's manual says, not what the photos suggest.
Even when the seat is approved from birth, a bassinet can still be worth it, especially for a winter baby or a family that walks a lot.
Why newborns need to lie flat
Newborns can't hold their heads up yet. In a seated or semi-reclined position, a baby's head can fall forward, and Health Canada notes this can narrow their airway. That's why a newborn should ride lying flat or nearly flat, in a setup the manufacturer has approved from birth.
It's also why strollers aren't a sleep space. A nap on a walk is normal, but check on your baby often, and move them to their crib or bassinet once you're home.
Three ways to stroll with a newborn
| Setup | Good for | Trade-offs |
|---|---|---|
| Bassinet (carrycot) | Long walks, winter, babies who nap on the go | Extra cost, bulky to store, outgrown in months |
| Seat approved from birth, fully reclined | Saving money and space; one setup from day one | Less room and less shelter than a bassinet |
| Infant car seat clicked onto the stroller | Errands, getting in and out of the car without waking baby | Car seats are for travel, not long walks or naps |
What popular strollers need for a newborn
| Stroller | Seat from birth? | Bassinet |
|---|---|---|
| UPPAbaby Vista V3 ($1,039.99) | No. The toddler seat is from 3 months. | Needed for the newborn stage: Bassinet V3 ($239.99 to $299.99), or the Infant SnugSeat ($79.99) |
| UPPAbaby Cruz V3 ($919.99) | Yes, with the included infant insert and foot barrier | Optional Bassinet V3 |
| Nuna MIXX Next ($1,200) | Yes. The seat reclines flat. | Optional MIXX series bassinet |
| Silver Cross Reef 2 ($1,299.95) | Yes, parent-facing in the flattest recline | Optional First Bed Folding Bassinet ($533.95), or the stroller and bassinet bundle ($1,508.95) |
| Bugaboo Fox 5 Renew Complete ($1,598.95) | Comes with a bassinet | Included |
Prices are in CAD and were current when we wrote this. Always follow the manual for your exact model and set it up the way it describes for a newborn. For more detail on single brands, see our newborn setup guides for the Vista V3, the Cruz V3 and Nuna strollers.
When a bassinet is worth it
- Your baby arrives between November and March. A bassinet's hood and cover usually shelter a baby from wind and snow better than a reclined seat, and there's room for a snowsuit or bunting bag. Our guide to snowsuits, bunting bags and footmuffs covers what to dress them in.
- You'll walk a lot. If daily walks of an hour or more are the plan, a bassinet gives your baby more room to stretch out.
- Your stroller's seat isn't approved from birth. Then it's a bassinet, an insert or the infant car seat until your baby is old enough for the seat.
- You're planning a second baby. A bassinet kept in good condition can be used again, as long as it hasn't been recalled.
When a lie-flat seat is enough
- The seat is approved from birth and you're happy with how flat it goes when you try it.
- Most outings start in the car. If you'll usually click the infant car seat onto the stroller, a bassinet may sit in the closet. Keep car seat stints short, though. They're built for the car, not for long walks.
- Space is tight. A bassinet is one more big piece to store at home and fit in the trunk.
- You'd rather spend the money elsewhere. A bassinet adds $240 to $530 for the models above, and it's used for only a few months.
How long you'll use a bassinet
Not long. Stroller bassinets have a weight limit, and many tell you to stop once your baby can push up on their hands and knees. Check your model's limits in the manual. After that, your baby moves to the stroller seat, which is why the seat's recline and padding still matter.
Before you decide
- Look up your stroller's newborn setup in the manual: seat, insert, bassinet or car seat.
- Think about when your baby is due and how much you'll walk in the first three months.
- Check how the setup folds and fits in your trunk, with the bassinet if you're buying one.
- If you're still choosing a stroller, our best full-size strollers guide compares the models above.
Want to see a bassinet next to a fully reclined seat? Call our Richmond, Burnaby or Ottawa store ahead of your visit and we'll let you know which strollers and bassinets we have on the floor that day.
