I originally wrote about the Halo Bassinest when it first came out. It was new and exciting then, and I was very impressed with the idea when I wrote my post on the best bassinets for room sharing and breastfeeding.
Since I wrote that post, I needed to check it out thoroughly and give it a review of its own.
Now, the only way to honestly know how something will work for you is to use it for months, but my kids are way past the bassinet age, so I will have to rely on my experience.
I will give you my thoughts based on my bassinet and newborn experience.
Models
There are now three main models of the Halo Bassinest as well as a couple of travel versions.
The Luxe Swivel, the Soothing 3.0 Swivel - this one has vibration and sound, and the 3.0 Swivel. You can read the differences on Amazon.
From Halo:
HALO BassiNest 3.0, Baby Swivel Bassinet for Newborns, Grey
1 BASSINET – Rated "Best Bassinet" by Parents Magazine, Good Housekeeping, The Bump and more
EXTRA CLOSE SAFE SLEEP – The only bassinet that swivels over your bed for the closest safe sleep. Mesh walls for airflow and visibility
EASY LOWERING WALL – Scoop your baby up for cuddles and feeds in bed. Discontinue use when baby shows signs of rolling over
2-IN-1 DESIGN – Converts to lightweight, portable nest for around the house. Should only be used on the floor while baby is awake and supervised
HEIGHT ADJUSTABLE – Accommodates beds up to 30" high. Fits best with bed frames over 4.5" from the floor. Includes fitted sheet and mattress; all fabrics removable for easy wash and care
Features that make this bassinet stand out from a typical bassinet
Bed sharing is lovely when breastfeeding, but for some people, it may not be an option, or you may need something to use besides bed-sharing.
I wrote my post about the best bassinets for room sharing and what led me to discover the Halo Bassinest.
It stands out from your typical bassinet in that your baby can have its own space but be right there next to you and accessible.
This bassinet swivels 360° so you can bring your baby close to you, move it quickly, and even swing it over your bed.
The sides are mesh, so it is breathable, and you can always see your baby.
It has a side wall that lowers and returns on its own, making it very easy to grab your baby for feedings in the middle of the night. This may be my favorite feature of all!
The bassinet is adjustable from 22" to 30", so you can match your bed height. This is another excellent feature compared to many bassinets, which are one standard height.
You can grab your baby without getting out of bed between the swivel feature and the lowering side wall. This may not sound like that big of a deal, but when you are breastfeeding, it is enormous!
I loved my bassinet but still needed to get up, get my baby, and then place my baby back in. Anything that keeps you from waking up is terrific when you are exhausted.
Halo points out that this bassinet is great for mothers' healing from C-sections due to these features.
The base is a long, thin pedestal with four wide feet sticking out. While the feet occupy some space, they can be positioned under your bed or nightstand.
Compared to a regular bassinet, this will save space.
Other things to know
The base requires some clearance from the wall.
The bed portion is significant. It is bigger than my standard bassinet and has a sleeping area almost as big as my Graco crib with stages (you can read about those here).
It is recommended to be used up to 5 months or 20 pounds, but they state that a maximum weight of 30 pounds is acceptable.
My one-year-old who has always been in the top 95% is now about 25 pounds to give you an idea of how long that will last.
You do not want to use any bassinet once your baby can pull up, roll over, or push themselves up.
Most babies must be moved out of this based on those skills before hitting the weight limit.
My bassinet (which I loved) had a max weight of 15 pounds and was outgrown by four months.
That's about as long as you can go in the world of bassinets, making the Halo a good buy in terms of longevity.
Any cons?
The biggest con is the price. Bassinets are temporary; most babies are out of them by five months.
This is pricey compared to some (both of my bassinets mentioned in my bassinet article were around $100).
But, when you are tired and breastfeeding, any tool to help you get as much rest as possible and keep your baby safe is worth it.
Those first few months of motherhood are exhausting, and sleep is worth it!
I believe you would be able to resell this once you are done with it as well. It may also be worth it if you plan to have more than one baby.
It has a unique mattress shape, so standard sheets may not fit well. It does come with one included sheet, and you can buy more from Halo.
The Bassinest does not have wheels, which I was used to with previous ones, which I would move around.
But the new versions have a removable nest. The bed part detaches so you can carry it around the house.
Conclusion
The Halo Bassinest Swivel Sleeper is an exciting bassinet option.
It takes on traditional bassinets with some fantastic features, the ability to swivel over to your bed, move quickly lower the side, and reach your baby without even sitting up. Amazing!
I would buy this if I were still in the market for a bassinet. While I enjoyed my traditional bassinet for two children, I love staying in bed and reaching over to my baby.
I also love the looks of this and the much sleeker profile, which is important if space is an issue.
While it is pricey, sleep and convenience during those nighttime feeding hours are worth it. </