HALO Luxe Bassinest Swivel Sleeper

Although my home delivery of Mary Kate was fast and pretty straightforward, the recovery was harder this time around. I’m 39 years old now and this was my 9th pregnancy. Add to that 7 other children to care for and it’s no surprise that bouncing back quickly is a thing of the past now. 🙂

Which is why I’m very grateful for being given a chance to try a complimentary HALO Luxe Bassinest^TM Swivel Sleeper (along with the Newborn Cuddle Insert and a HALO SleepSack Swaddle) in exchange for an honest review. We chose the newly released Medallion print. It arrived in the mail when I was 38 weeks pregnant and was assembled in about 10 minutes. I didn’t even have to ask my oldest son for help (he’s the mechanical genius).

The bassinet features breathable, semi-transparent mesh sides, padded rails and an included pad and (washable) fitted sheet. There are also 3 storage compartments which are attached to the side rails and very handy for diapers, wipes and other small baby essentials.

Unlike other sleepers, this one is freestanding, so you don’t have to attach it to your bed. Yet you still get that same closeness. It doesn’t roll around on a tiny set of wheels and the base is heavy and evenly distributed, making the whole unit very stable.

It’s been a lifesaver during these postpartum days. I needed extra bed rest that first week, and our demanding little newborn was comfortably just inches away. The sleeping area is just the right size for newborns and young infants who aren’t rolling over or pushing up.

During week two we got hit with influenza A, so it was back to bed again! I was incredibly tired and drained, and once again thankful for the ingenious design of this bedside bassinet. I can swivel my little girl right up next to me for comforting and feeding, and swivel her away from the bed when I need to get up. In fact, the Bassinest can do a complete 360 so you can position it exactly where you want. The mechanism is smooth and blissfully quiet so the movement doesn’t disturb your baby’s slumber.

And there’s more! An electronic unit on the front lets you choose from among 3 lullabies, 3 soothing sounds, 2 levels of vibration and a nursing timer. There’s also a night light which is great for nighttime feedings (and bathroom trips!). The Soothing Center requires three AA batteries.

When you lay your tiny newborn in the Bassinest sleeper it may look like more space than she needs. HALO has a specially designed white mesh Cuddle Insert which attaches in just seconds to the Bassinest with hooks. It surrounds your baby more closely, giving newborns the comfort they thrive on. The flat surface rests on top of the Bassinest mattress underneath, so that means the Cuddle Insert stays put and does not “hang,” like a hammock. It aligns with AAP guidelines for safe sleep.

It has breathable fabric for optimal airflow around your sleeping child. You can also throw your Cuddle Insert into the washing machine for easy cleanup. We used it just the first three weeks and then removed it when Mary Kate was a little bigger and was more accustomed to her sleeping quarters.

HALO also sent a SleepSack Swaddle to keep Mary Kate cozy and warm without the need for blankets in the bassinet, which can pose a safety risk (you can find more safe sleep tips here at HALO’s website). SleepSack Swaddles come in a variety of fabrics (cotton, muslin, fleece, etc.) and feature a wide flap across the front which wraps your baby up and closes with hook and loop. It helps your baby feel secure and prevents startling. The SleepSack zips down the middle for easy changes. I also like using the SleepSack Swaddle for nursing, because it keeps Mary Kate’s hands out of the way during latch on. Your baby can also wear the Swaddle with arms out. It didn’t take Mary Kate very long to figure out how to get her arms out anyway, so when she’s asleep I don’t wrap her up with arms in.

One of my favorite features of the HALO Bassinest Swivel Sleeper is the collapsible side wall, which I highlight in this video clip. Getting your baby in and out of the sleeper is really simple, and your chance of waking the little one up while making the transition is greatly minimized. The sidewall can be locked, if you don’t want to use this feature.

I like the height of the walls, too. They are high enough to keep your baby safe from curious little siblings!

Are there any drawbacks? I mentioned above how sturdy this bassinet is. The flip side is that it’s heavy and clumsy to move around without help. It was too much for me to handle postpartum, so my husband or son did the honors. Also, a bassinet with a flat sleeping surface is not ideal for babies with issues like reflux or frequent spitting up. Mary Kate has had problems with gas and spitting up in her first month, and so she hasn’t slept for long stretches (i.e. more than 2 hours) in the Bassinest.

The HALO Bassinest Swivel Sleeper series starts at $199 and up at Amazon and other retailers. HALO is a company I have been proud to work with over the years, thanks to their great service and commitment to safer sleep for babies (and peace of mind for parents). Follow HALO on social media for updates, news and promos!

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What features do you look for in a baby bed? Do you have any tips to share for getting a newborn to sleep better?