What Is a Bassinet Stroller? And Why It’s a Must-Have for Newborns
As a new parent, navigating the world of baby gear can be overwhelming, especially when it comes to choosing the best stroller for your newborn. One popular option that’s gaining a lot of attention is the bassinet stroller. But what exactly is it, and why is it essential for your baby’s comfort and health? In this blog, we’ll answer common questions parents have about bassinet strollers, including their benefits and how they differ from using a car seat.
What Is a Bassinet Stroller?
The bassinet stroller is a stroller designed specifically for newborns and infants, offering a fully flat, enclosed sleeping space. Much like a traditional bassinet used for sleeping at home, this type of stroller allows your baby to lie completely flat while you’re out and about. The best bassinet strollers are approved for overnight sleeping too (check with the brand) The iCandy Peach7 is an excellent example, as it offers a detachable and fully ventilated bassinet which makes it suitable and approved for overnight sleeping. One benefit of this, is the capability to remove the bassinet from the stroller frame and use as a sleeping space in your home or when you are away overnight - providing a safe, clean and familiar environment for your baby.
Unlike traditional strollers that prop babies up in a seated or semi-reclined position, a bassinet stroller prioritizes a flat, horizontal surface, which is crucial for a newborns spinal development and who cannot support their necks and heads yet.
Why Should I Use a Bassinet and Not Just a Car Seat?
I see so many parents with their newborns in a car seat!
It’s tempting to rely on your car seat as an all-in-one solution, especially when you're on the go. After all, a car seat can also attach to a stroller frame, making it convenient. However, choosing a bassinet instead of a car seat for days out and family strolls is a much healthier and far safer choice for newborns.
Here’s why:
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Proper Posture: Car seats are designed for short-term use during travel, not long periods of time. They keep babies in a slightly curved position, which isn't ideal for their developing spines and necks. A bassinet, on the other hand, keeps your baby lying completely flat, which supports natural posture and reduces pressure on their spine. Ity is clinically proven that a baby upto 6 months of age should spend the majority of their time in a lie flat position - a bassinet provides this.
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Breathing Safety: When newborns are placed in a car seat for extended periods, the semi-upright position can slightly constrict their airways, making breathing more difficult. A bassinet ensures your baby’s airways stay open, providing better airflow.
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Comfort for Longer Outings: A stroller with a bassinet provides a comfortable, familiar sleep space, perfect for naps during extended outings and overnight stay aways (Overnight Sleeping Approved Bassinets Only). Enjoy your time out with your newborn and let them explore their new world in comfort and safety. While a car seat is useful for car rides, it’s not designed for long-term use outside of the car and should never be used for extended periods of time or as a sleeping unit. What if I have a long car journey? - When travelling for long periods in a vehicle, be sure to stop every few hours and let your baby stretch and have time out of the car seat.
What Are the Benefits of Using a Bassinet Stroller?
Using a bassinet stroller has advantages for both parents and babies. Here are some key benefits:
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Comfort and Space for Sleep: The flat design of the bassinet mimics a crib, offering a spacious, cozy environment for your baby to nap while you're on the go. Newborns sleep most of the day, and the bassinet provides the best space for uninterrupted rest.
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Healthy Development: Since a bassinet allows your baby to lie flat, it promotes healthy development of their spine, neck, and hips. It also gives them room to stretch out, which is important for muscle growth and physical development during their early months. We all want to give our babies the best start in life.
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Ideal for Newborns and Infants: A bassinet stroller is NOT just for the first 6 months. Strollers like the iCandy Peach7 have a detachable bassinet and will easily accommodate a car seat for those short errands, and once your baby outgrows the bassinet, the iCandy Peach7 easily switches to a toddler seat which can be both parent facing (the best position for interaction) and world facing. Still having a fully reclinable function for those daytime naps.
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Multi Function: Bassinets like the iCandy Peach7, Uppababy Vista, Nuna and Silver Cross come with the option to detach from the stroller frame. This means you can move your sleeping baby from the stroller to inside the home without waking them, making it a seamless transition for naps.
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Shaded and Safe: Quality bassinets will come with large canopies to protect your baby from the sun, wind, and other outdoor elements. Top brands of bassinet strollers like the iCandy also feature breathable fabrics and ventilation systems, ensuring your baby remains cool and comfortable.
What Health Benefits Does a Bassinet Provide?
Beyond the obvious comfort, bassinets offer several important health benefits that make them the best choice for newborns during outings:
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Reduced Risk of Positional Asphyxia: Positional asphyxia is a condition where a baby’s airway becomes partially blocked due to their head being pushed forward while sitting. This is a risk when using car seats for long periods of time, but it’s completely avoided in a bassinet, where your baby is flat and their airway remains open. Enjoy those days out with family and friends while your baby enjoys total comfort.
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Spine and Hip Development: The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends that infants lie flat on their backs during sleep or rest to promote healthy spinal alignment and hip development. In a bassinet, your baby has the freedom to move and stretch in a way that’s not possible in a car seat or upright stroller.
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Reduces Acid Reflux: Laying flat helps reduce the risk of acid reflux, a common issue in newborns. A bassinet stroller allows your baby to rest in the optimal position for digestion, reducing discomfort after feeding.
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Better Sleep Quality: Newborns sleep much better in a bassinet because the flat position mimics the feeling of sleeping in a crib at home. This helps establish healthy sleep patterns from an early age, giving both baby and parent better rest. Excellent for when you have overnight stay aways!
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Head Shape Protection: Spending too much time in a car seat can increase the risk of positional plagiocephaly, or flat head syndrome, due to the baby’s head resting against the seat's hard surface for long periods. In a bassinet, your baby’s head is not constrained by hard surfaces, reducing the risk of developing a flat spot.
Conclusion: Why a Bassinet Stroller Is Worth the Investment
A bassinet stroller is not just a luxury item but a key tool in promoting your newborn’s health and well-being. With the benefits of proper spine support, reduced risk of breathing issues, and overall comfort for longer outings, a bassinet stroller ensures that your baby is safe and secure while giving you peace of mind. When you opt for a stroller like the iCandy Peach7, Uppababy Vista Nuna or Siolver Cross, you are not just getting a "stroller". you are investing in your newborns health and development, you are investing in your child.
While it may be tempting to stick with a car seat for all your stroller needs, the health benefits of using a bassinet are clear. From encouraging healthy development to providing a comfortable sleep space, bassinet strollers are designed with your baby’s long-term well-being in mind. So, when you’re planning your baby gear checklist, a bassinet stroller should definitely be at the top! And we recommend the iCandy Peach7 Or Orange 4 - chosen by Sir Richard Branson, Queens Grand Daughter Zara Tindall and even Bradley Cooper! These parents can choose any they want and they all chose the iCandy!