As a first-time mom, I wasn’t totally sure co-sleeping, but I also wanted to have everything ready before he arrived. The Arm’s Reach Concepts Co-Sleeper VERSATILE Bassinet was perfect for me because it can be used as a co-sleeper or a bedside bassinet, so I knew I wouldn’t be stuck with one or the other. I could wait until my son arrived and see what worked best for us.

The bedside sleeper comes in several large pieces, and the only tool you need to put it together is a screwdriver. The manual is very detailed and useful with easy to follow illustrations. My husband assembled the co-sleeper bassinet, and it took him no more than 10 minutes. To be honest, most of it was so easy that the manual wasn’t really necessary (which isn’t always the case when assembling baby gear).

The VERSATILE has multiple sleeper modes. It can be used as a free-standing bassinet, or it can easily be attached to the side of the bed with an anchor plate and straps to function as a co-sleeper. We ended up choosing to use it as a free-standing bassinet right next to the bed, which worked great. The built-in adjustable leg extension mechanism makes it very easy to adjust the height; it is as simple as pushing two buttons on the side and sliding it up and down. It goes very high—high enough to let it rest on the mattress of the parent’s bed. It works with adult bed heights of 20″ to 30″ if you want to use it that way. Unlike the Arm’s Reach Concepts Mini Ezee, the Versatile co-sleeping bassinet has adjustable feet that extend all the way under the bed.

I really appreciated the height after having had a C-section. I was able to put down and pick up my baby to snuggle or for breastfeeding without any discomfort. I could even easily throw a changing pad down and change his diaper, all without leaving the side of my bed, which was very exciting for a recovering and sleep-deprived mama!

The co-sleeper bassinet is very large and very sturdy, but its looks are so nice and sleek that it blends in well with our bedroom. It is white with accents of gray, and I’d say it looks “classier” than most infant sleepers and pack ‘n plays on the market. One drawback to the bassinet’s size and sturdiness is that it can be bulky to move, which did make it a little difficult for me to get in and out of bed when recovering from my C-section. However, this only lasted for a week, and once I was moving better, I had no issues. It is important to note that this is not a portable bassinet that you’ll be toting from one room to the next—it’s just not that easy to move and does better as a more permanent fixture in the bedroom.

My favorite feature is the mesh siding on the co-sleeper bassinet. As a first-time mom, I want to watch my baby sleep and check on him anytime he makes a noise in the middle of the night. Not having to get up to check on him helped me sleep better for sure. With the mesh siding, all I have to do is open my eyes, and I can see him right through the mesh. I also will wake up several times to my son’s wide eyes looking at me in bed. It really helps me keep baby close, but it’s still separate enough that I am able to get some quality sleep.

The mattress is thin, but it feels comfortable. It is similar to the one in the baby bassinet that we used at the hospital, which made for an easy transition when coming home. My son has slept very well in the VERSATILE from the first night we used it. The mattress is a standard bassinet size and about 1 inch thick. It comes with one quilted fitted sheet, which is high quality and has held up well through many washes so far! And the mattress is waterproof, so it’s easy to wipe clean.

The VERSATILE comes with a cute mobile, which can easily be taken off or moved out of the way if you don’t want to use it. The mobile has a feature to play sound, which is battery operated (two AA batteries, not included). We didn’t need to use this feature much, but I know plenty of parents who would be glad to have the option of sound right at their fingertips.

Overall, I would definitely recommend the Arm’s Reach Co-Sleeper VERSATILE Bassinet to anyone looking for an in-room sleep solution for their infant. My baby loves being in this infant sleeper, whether he’s sleeping or not, and he will even spend several hours in the morning lying awake and peacefully looking through the mesh sides. The quality and features of the VERSATILE brand bassinet make it top of the line and well worth its price.

Price: $240

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