Purpose

• A crib serves as a permanent bedding option for babies until they outgrow it at about two years of age. It provides a stationary sleeping spot for the baby, as its size and structure prevents mobility. It typically rests in a nursery rather than in the parents' bedroom. A bassinet provides a small, cozy bed for a newborn for the first few months. It functions as a mobile bed that can move to different areas of the home. Many parents use a bassinet as a way to keep the baby in their bedroom during the newborn phase.
  
  

Safety

• Baby cribs present a safe sleeping environment for infants when current crib safety guidelines are followed. They offer stability due to the large nature and construction of the bed. The mattress rests well below the top of the crib, preventing older babies from falling over the edge. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission holds crib manufacturers to safety standards during the production process.
  
  Bassinets generally offer a safe sleeping environment as well. They do present some drawbacks in the safety department. The small nature of bassinets creates the potential of the beds being knocked over. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission doesn't have a set of standards for bassinets, meaning the companies that produce them are not required to follow specific safety guidelines.
  
  

Convenience

• A crib requires assembly and contains several different pieces. Once assembled, the crib consumes a larger amount of floor space than a bassinet. Moving a crib requires at least two adults, one on each end. Relocating the crib to another room requires disassembling the pieces to fit through the door.
  
  A bassinet consumes a much smaller amount of space, making it easier to move around a room. Bassinets move easily to different areas of the home. Keeping the baby in a bassinet near his parents eases the midnight feedings.
  
  

Longevity

• Cribs provide sleeping arrangements for a baby from birth to the early toddler years. A newborn can sleep in a crib from the beginning. Babies typically remain in a crib until at least 18 months of age. Many continue sleeping in the crib until two years of age or older. A convertible crib extends the longevity of the piece by transforming into a toddler bed. This format works until the child is too tall to comfortably sleep on the mattress.
  
  Bassinets possess a much shorter life span. Most babies fit into a standard bassinet for approximately three or four months when they outgrow the space available in the bassinet. Babies typically transition to a crib after they outgrow a bassinet.
  
  

Cost

• The price range for both cribs and bassinets varies based on the design, brand and features. As of 2009, bassinets typically cost between $60 and $140. Cribs range from around $100 for a very basic crib to over $400 for a high end model. The crib mattress is a separate expense and may run $40 to $200. The grand total for the crib runs between $140 and $600, depending on the specific selections.
  
  While the individual cost of the bassinet is lower than a crib, consider that you will eventually need a crib once the baby outgrows the bassinet. Choosing to begin your baby's life in a bassinet makes the total expense higher since you'll end up purchasing both. Consider the advantages and disadvantages of each option to determine if the extra expense of the bassinet is a wise investment for you.