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Move your baby from the stroller bassinet to the seat when they reach the first limit in the bassinet's manual: a weight limit (often 9 kg or 20 lb), an age limit on some models (about 6 months), or a developmental sign such as rolling over, pushing up on hands and knees, or sitting without help. Whichever comes first is the one that counts, and for many babies that's a developmental sign well before the weight limit. Then check that the stroller seat is approved for your baby's age, and start with it fully reclined.
Bassinet limits for popular models
| Bassinet | Weight limit | Also stop when baby can… |
|---|---|---|
| UPPAbaby Bassinet V3 ($239.99) | 20 lb (9 kg) | Push up on hands and knees |
| Silver Cross Reef 2 First Bed ($533.95) | 9 kg (20 lb), or 6 months | Sit unaided, roll over, or push up on hands and knees |
| Cybex Priam 5 Fold Lux Carry Cot ($699.95) | 20 lb, about 6 months | Sit unaided, roll over, or push up on hands and knees |
| Cybex Mios 5 & Coya 2 Fold Lux Carry Cot ($599.95) | 20 lb, about 6 months | Sit unaided, roll over, or push up on hands and knees |
Prices are in CAD and were current when we wrote this. Limits come from the manufacturers' listings. For any other bassinet, look in the manual under "warnings" or "child limits".
Signs it's time to switch
- Your baby has hit any limit in the manual, including a developmental one, even if they're nowhere near the weight limit.
- They're rolling, or rocking onto their side to try.
- They push up on their hands, or up onto hands and knees, when lying on their tummy.
- Their head or feet touch the ends of the bassinet.
- They're unhappy lying down and want to see out. That's not a safety limit, but it's often when parents start thinking about the seat.
Check the seat before you switch
The stroller seat has its own minimum age, which isn't always the same as the bassinet's limit. Some seats are approved from birth when fully reclined; others start later. The UPPAbaby Vista V3 toddler seat, for example, is from 3 months. Your manual will say.
Young babies still need to ride well reclined. Health Canada notes that a baby's head can fall forward in a seated or semi-reclined position, which can narrow their airway. So for the first weeks in the seat:
- Recline it fully, or as far as the manual allows for your baby's age.
- Face it towards you if your stroller allows. It's easier to check on your baby.
- Adjust the harness to fit snugly, following the manual. The bassinet didn't have one, so this is a new step.
- Raise the seat gradually as your baby gets steady head and trunk control, and as the manual allows.
Keeping warm after the bassinet
A bassinet's sides, apron and hood keep out a lot of wind. A reclined seat is more open, so in winter you'll likely need a footmuff or a warmer outer layer. Our guide to snowsuits, bunting bags and footmuffs explains which to choose. Remove extra layers once you're inside so your baby doesn't overheat.
What about naps?
A nap on the go is normal, but a stroller seat isn't a sleep space. Check on your baby often and move them to their crib or bassinet when you get home. Some bassinets, like the Silver Cross Reef 2 First Bed, are approved by the maker for overnight sleep when used as the manual describes; Cybex says its carry cots aren't certified for sleep. Either way, once your baby reaches the limits above, the bassinet is done for sleep too.
Still deciding on a bassinet?
If you're shopping now, our guide to whether you need a stroller bassinet covers which strollers have seats approved from birth, and our best full-size strollers guide compares the main models.
Want to compare a bassinet and a fully reclined seat side by side? 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.
