babybay Bedside Sleeper Review

In 2003, Christian Pihale's wife Ruth gave birth to two children back to back. Knowing she would have to get up throughout the night repeatedly, Ruth asked for help. Because traditional co-sleeping can be dangerous, Christian designed a solution for Ruth to keep the babies close so she could stay in bed and still meet their needs. Christian's vision became the babybay Bedside Sleeper, answering the need for parents to keep their children close, safe, healthy, and happy. babybay® is an internationally best-selling product.

Performance Comparison

Ease of Use

The babybay scored just about average for ease of use, which evaluates the features and functions you will use daily.

Accessibility

This bassinet is very accessible even while you stay in bed. The product will work with beds of various heights, and the lower sidewall means getting baby in and out, or comforting baby while you rest, should be no problem.

Portability/Mobility

This bassinet is one of the most substantial option we've tested with a weight of 28 pounds and dimensions of 37.1 inches high, 36 inches long, and 20.7 inches high. This unit is designed to be connected to your bed, so it isn't portable, and moving it from room to room would not be recommended. The heft and lack of folding also make it a poor option for travel. There are caster wheels available as an accessory, which would make moving the babybay significantly easier. However, the wheels would arguably be safer if you paired them with the conversion kit that turns the co-sleeper into a free-standing crib.

Additional Features

The mattress platform is height adjustable, so you can choose a height that works best with your bed. The product also has a system that allows it to safely attach to your bed. A long strap connects to the legs of the bassinet and runs underneath the parent mattress. The belt is kept taut by using a flat wooden addition on the opposite side of the parent bed.

Ease of Setup

It took almost 40 minutes to assemble this bassinet. It isn't difficult so much as the directions aren't useful. Upon investigation, we discovered that the company offers a video tutorial, and we can see why. I didn't realize there were written instructions at the back of the manual because the first part is all pictures with no indication that it exists.

Cleaning

This product wipes clean with a damp cloth. Nothing on this bassinet is machine washable, but the mattress pad can be hand-washed.

Breathability

The babybay earned a phenomenal score for breathability.

This unit is similar in design to a traditional crib, and unlike much of the competition that offers mesh sidewalls, this bassinet has wood slats with space between them. There is no fabric or obvious issues that could impair your baby's ability to breathe.

Sleep Surface

The babybay earned a relatively high score for the sleeping surface. It's important to note that the mattress is sold separately. We tested the Classic mattress in this review.

This sleeping surface is very stable with no low points, but it is easy to compress and may offer less support than some of the competition.

We can push our finger between the mattress and the wood slats, but the pad doesn't shift or move, indicating a good fit. Babybay does offer two other versions for different needs, with slightly different compositions.

Quality

The babybay earned one of the top scores for quality.

It is easy to see the quality materials and designs when comparing this product against the competition. The wood is smooth and has meticulous connection points without rough edges. The wood creates a sturdy, stable, and durable product you can use for multiple children or sell when baby outgrows it. We love the overall fit and finish and feel like this bassinet is a real piece of furniture akin to a crib, unlike some of the competition that feels like limited use products that you won't keep around for the long haul. It is a simple, chic option that will compliment any decor.

Eco-Health

The babybay earned one of the highest scores for eco-health, a metric where most of the bassinets unimpressed.

babybay offers open transparency regarding the materials they use and their production process. The fabrics are OEKO-TEX certified, the Beechwood frame uses a water-based finish, and you can purchase 100% organic cotton sheets. There is no MDF board, which can contain formaldehyde, or flame retardants.

However, all three mattress options sold in the US are made with polyurethane foam, a material most eco-conscious shoppers would prefer to avoid due to the off-gassing potential. The Classic mattress we tested is made with food-grade, CFC-free foam, which eases some concerns about chemical emissions. The other two mattresses use either medical-grade or premium-grade foam. According to babybay, “we have no detectable VOCs off-gassing,” but still, we'd prefer an option made with natural materials. However, this is still arguably the best choice for parents concerned with toxic materials and potential off-gassing.

If you live outside the US, you may be able to purchase the Natural mattress made with coconut fibers. Some US consumers have also had luck importing the Natural mattress directly from babybay, though you'll have to assume all safety liabilities to do so.

Should You Buy the babybay Bedside Sleeper?

If you can afford the high price tag, the babybay is an excellent, thoughtfully designed bassinet made with premium materials and quality construction. It attaches directly to your bed, giving you easy access to your little one during middle-of-the-night feeds or fusses. Plus, it's easy on the eyes. But this heirloom-style piece isn't made with portability in mind and won't suit those who need to move their bassinet from place to place.

What Other Bassinets Should You Consider?

If you are considering the babybay, you may also be interested in the Lotus bassinet for its GREENGUARD Gold certification and portable design or the BabyBjorn Cradle for its posh styling, compact and lightweight frame, and OEKO-TEX certification. The SNOO Smart Sleeper is also worth a peek, though if you think the babybay is expensive, wait till you see the price on the Snoo.

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