Skip to main content

Should you get an automatic rocking bassinet?

If you’ve been looking for efficient solutions to sleep-training, then it might be time to consider an automatic rocking bassinet.

An automatic rocking bassinet is like a gentle hammock or swing for your little one. With features like soft gliding motions, vibrations, songs, and more, they’re becoming more popular with parents and parents-to-be. You might be wondering if it’s worth the investment, so bear with us! We’ll go over some very persuasive reasons why they’re worth buying and important features you might look for.

How do automatic rocking bassinets work?

Automatic bassinets make naps and nighttime sleeping much easier for the whole family. By providing soothing movements and sounds, your little one can drift off to sleep willingly. Some common models are swinging bassinets, rocking bassinets, and vibrating bassinets.

More advanced types even imitate the feeling of riding in a car or being in a womb. In a nutshell, automatic rocking bassinets keep your baby comfortable so they can rest easy.

They’re typically plugged into an outlet, though some portable models are battery-operated. Keep in mind that separate parts like music machines and mobiles might also need batteries.

rocking bassinett
FamVeld/Shutterstock

What features should I look for in a smart bassinet?

The good news is there’s probably a smart bassinet out there for your exact needs. Here are some key features that many parents recommend.

  • Adjustable swing speeds.
  • Removable mobile.
  • Set timer option.
  • Built-in sound machine with soothing sounds or songs.
  • Option between gliding or swinging.
  • Option between different swinging directions.
  • An adjustable canopy for shade.
  • A detachable feature that converts the top to a handheld basket.
  • Lockable caster wheels for portability.
  • Car motion setting.
  • A frame that converts into a crib.
  • Bottom storage for baby supplies.
  • A soft, waterproof mattress.
  • Included tight sheets.
  • Built-in night light.
  • Option between USB, battery, or outlet plug-in.
  • Mesh sides for visibility.
  • Harness for nap-only bassinets.

As you can see, there are lots of features that make automatic bassinets so great. Of course, you can pick and choose which ones will help your family specifically. For instance, if you’re driving every night to get your baby to sleep, a car motion bassinet makes sense. On the other hand, if you want a functional bassinet that also helps save space, choose one with bottom storage to keep extra diapers and wipes.

Since babies and their needs are always growing, a combination of the features above is also practical.

Will a smart bassinet actually help my baby sleep better?

If your little one loves to be held or loves nodding off while you hold them in your rocking chair, a smart bassinet will help your baby sleep better. If your little one likes to sleep on their own but often wakes up from naps and sleep prematurely, a smart bassinet might help.

So, is purchasing one of these machines a good idea?

The answer is …

Yes, you should get an automatic rocking bassinet for a few reasons. Here are more arguments for an automatic bassinet.

Saves your back from constant carrying and rocking. An auto bassinet will help ease the strain on your body while your child is in the infant stage.

  • An automatic rocking bassinet promotes important self-soothing skills. Instead of crying out for you every time your little one needs help getting to and falling back to sleep, a gentle swaying, rocking, or gliding motion encourages them to wind down without your assistance. This means a fiercely independent kid in the making!
  • Many bassinets convert into a portable basket you can take around the house or a picnic at the park. This dual function saves you from having to get a separate foldable bassinet.
  • Most models have a built-in sound or music machine. Choose from gentle womb sounds to soft piano lullabies when your precious one needs a little extra comfort.
  • You’ll get more rest with an automatic rocking bassinet. For parents whose little ones get extra cranky during nap time, this is the answer to some of your problems. Moreover, this is ideal for parents whose babies prefer to be held during naptime or sleep time.
  • This will help give you time while your little one is catching some Z’s.
  • Bassinets are less clunky than beds, and some even convert to minimalist cribs when your infant grows into a toddler.
  • When it comes to sleep, your infant needs lots of it. Help them get the most restful sleep with an automatic rocking bassinet. These swinging, gliding, vibrating, and singing machines are especially helpful if you spend the majority of your day comforting your infant before, during, and after they fall asleep. Save yourself and your little one from tears and try one out today — you might be surprised at the difference it makes!

Editors' Recommendations

NewFolks
Should you have bottle warmers for breast milk in your home? It’s complicated
Find out if bottle warmers for breast milk are a good idea
Milk temperature check

If you choose to store your breast milk to be able to feed your baby a bottle when needed, you may find yourself wondering what is the best way to heat it up. You may get lucky and have a baby who will drink cold milk, but for most of you, that isn't going to happen. Instead, you'll need some way to safely warm up milk to at least room temperature without curdling it, affecting the nutrition density, or developing hot spots.

Many parents opt for a bottle warmer to warm a baby bottle safely. This handy appliance is a staple in modern households, but before you put it on your baby shower registry, let's take a closer look at bottle warmers. As with all your baby gear, the truth about using bottle warmers for breastmilk is a little more complicated.

Read more
Are baby walkers safe? 5 dangerous reasons you shouldn’t add one to your registry
Learn why baby walkers are unsafe
Infant in baby walker

Baby walkers are a common shower gift and considered a must-have item in some circles. While in others baby walkers are considered taboo. So, what should parents know about baby walkers? Are baby walkers safe for your child to use? These are questions you may be asking as your infant is getting to the age where he or she is starting to walk and explore. Although baby walkers may be a popular gift and toy, the reality is they are actually quite unsafe.

Even though you may have used a baby walker as a child yourself, in this day and age, there is quite a bit of information about just how hazardous baby walkers can be. If you're considering getting a baby walker, putting one on your registry, or if you already have a baby walker in your home, keep reading before you pop your toddler in.

Read more
Should your kids have an Apple Watch?
These are the pros and cons of an Apple Watch for your kid
A person checking their Apple watch.

If there’s one thing on every kid’s wish list when they get to a certain age, it’s a smartwatch. Wearables are the coolest and fun new gadgets for kids, and there doesn’t seem to be an end in sight with the demand for one. Smartwatches are the height of convenience, allowing users to leave their phones in their bags and do everything right there on their wrists. But since there isn't a kids' Apple Watch version available, children are getting the real deal.

With all the convenience, though, some people have major privacy concerns about wearable devices, especially when it comes to their children. When used correctly with appropriate parental controls, smartwatches, especially the Apple Watch, could be a boon to both kids and parents alike. But should your kid sport a device designed for adults? Let's see if children should wear an Apple Watch or if it's one more device they shouldn't be left alone with.

Read more