This is a PSA: whatever the best bassinets for reflux are, it’s not a guarantee that they’d work on your reflux baby.
And the slight incline that they provide is NOT considered safe, according to the AAP.
BUT, BUT, BUT!
I also used to be a desperate, extremely sleep-deprived mom who would do anything, ANYTHING, to help my baby sleep. So I can also get some sleep!
But it’s mostly for my baby’s sake.
We all know the safety guidelines, we all know what’s an ideal sleeping situation for a baby, and we all know the dangers of letting our baby sleep in an inclined position. We know that!
But we, as parents, are also aware of the danger we might pose to our baby if we severely lack sleep.
We might get into a car accident, we might forget to secure the baby carrier at the back, we might give them food they’re allergic to, we might forget to put one hand on them while changing their diapers then God forbid, they fall from their diaper changing table!
In short, having an overtired, depressed, sluggish parent can also be of danger to a baby.
So I understand if you’re looking for any tool or gadget such as a bassinet for reflux babies, to help everyone in the family sleep.
There’s no judgment here.
So let’s get on with the best incline sleeper for baby with reflux, which hopefully can provide some comfort to your poor little one.
I hope you’ll love the products we recommend! Just a quick note: if you click on a product link below and decide to buy it, we may earn a small commission.
List of Contents
In a Hurry? We Recommend…
The SNOO for its popularity, leg lifters, and safe sleep track record.
Best Tilted Bassinet for Reflux: Comparison Table
This is best viewed on a desktop. Check out a general quick comparison guide of the best bassinets for reflux babies.
| Brand | Inclined angle | For tall beds | Extra features |
|---|---|---|---|
| SNOO | 2.5-degree incline | No | Safety sacks, calming motion and sounds, mobile app |
| ANGELBLISS | 3-degree to an 8-degree angle | No | Adjustable height, storage, wheels |
| AMKE | Info not available | No | Adjustable height, storage |
| BABY JOY | 10-degree incline | No | Adjustable height |
| Milliard | Info not available | Yes | Adjustable height, retractable feet |
Below is a more detailed feature info about these reflux bassinets.
Best Bassinets for Reflux
SNOO Smart Sleeper Bassinet That Inclines
The SNOO is a popular smart bassinet that offers leg lifters to slightly elevate it at a 2.5-degree incline.
Just an FYI, AAP says any surface that inclines more than 10 degrees isn’t safe for your baby to sleep on
Some parents said it has greatly helped their reflux and congested babies sleep better. A few said it has even reduced their baby’s spit-ups.
One parent even shared that their baby was a preemie and was able to sleep in longer stretches!
While others said it didn’t work at all with their reflux babies.
Others have complained that their babies were slipping down and the SNOO sack could have choked them.
So take note of the risk.
Check also to get only the newer SNOO sacks that have the extra fabric between the baby’s legs.
And to ensure that your little one is properly strapped in, to avoid them slipping down the SNOO, when it is on an inline.
Other parents have also tried putting a tuna can under the legs instead, and it has worked for them.
If you’re a little hesitant about the price, you can try to rent it.
But there’s a huge 2nd hand market for it, so if you resell a brand new one, you can definitely get back most of what you paid for.
Snoo also has other features such as:
- Calming motion and sounds
- Mobile app to control its settings
- Comes with 3 Snoo sacks (small, medium, and large)
- Available for rent
ANGELBLISS Baby Bassinet Bedside Crib That Elevates
The Angelbliss is a large, sturdy bassinet that has 6 adjustable height positions, so it can go a little bit higher.
Thus making it easier to reach for your baby. Just scoop them up easily from the Angelbliss bassinet!
You can also just lift one of the sides and elevate it from a 3-degree to an 8-degree angle.
This is helpful for babies with reflux that are more comfortable sleeping on an incline.
Most parents said it’s easy to adjust it up and down and they had no issues adjusting its height.
A few parents though have complained that this reflux bassinet tends to tilt on the side.
Especially if your baby isn’t placed directly in the center.
This is a common concern amongst parents, as that can put their babies in danger. Especially those who don’t have full control of their neck muscles yet
One parent’s workaround was using a lounger during supervised naptime. This apparently levels out the bassinet.
Most though didn’t have this issue and just simply love the practical features of this ASTM and CPSC-certified bassinet.
It also has the following features:
- Spacious and durable – can even carry a 3-year-old!
- Easy to assemble and clean
- Has large storage at the bottom
- Comes with wheels
AMKE Baby Bassinet For Baby on Inclined Position
One of the feature highlights of this stylish and sturdy crib is its incline function.
You can elevate one side of the bassinet and put it on a slight incline, to prevent your little one from spitting up.
Some parents also noted that it was quick and easy to adjust the bassinet’s height and its slight incline helped with their baby’s reflux!
One parent shared that they used a Snuggle Me lounger which has helped their baby sleep better.
It has 6 adjustable height options so you can make it taller.
This makes it easy to scoop up your baby, especially if you’re recovering from your C-section and/or you want to breastfeed.
It doesn’t go high enough though for a tall bed, just to point that out.
And it’s not easy to look for a sheet that fits its mattress, according to some parents.
But if you want an inclined baby bassinet that’s durable and has safety certifications coming from the CPSC and ASTM, then you can’t go wrong with this AMKE baby bassinet.
It also has other great features such as:
- Comes with free sheets apparently, if you fill out a form and email them
- Easy to assemble and dismantle
- With storage
- Comes with a carrying case for traveling
BABY JOY Baby Bedside Crib for a Higher Incline
If you’re looking for a bassinet that can go on a higher incline, then the Baby Joy bassinet is what you need.
You can adjust one of its sides to go on a 10-degree incline. Which is skirting the boundaries of what the AAP says about safe baby sleep.
But if that’s the only angle your baby can sleep in, then it might help your little one!
The Baby Joy brand actually highlights that tilt angle feature.
One parent even shared that their pediatrician recommended it for its incline!
Take note though that a high incline like that can make your baby roll over, naturally. Some parents have complained about that and even mentioned that the bassinet tilts, making their babies roll on one side.
Most parents though didn’t have an issue with it and their babies were perfectly fine inside the bassinet.
It has 4 adjustable heights although it won’t go on a taller bed.
It’s also not easy to assemble, as it has confusing instructions.
Some parents also complained about its uncomfortable mattress. But a bassinet’s mattress is almost always thin and firm, for safety reasons.
The Baby Joy bassinet is large and sturdy though and if you want a bedside bassinet with a higher incline, then this might be the one you’re looking for.
It also has other features such as:
- Carry bag for bringing bassinet to trips and vacations
- Retractable feet
- Washable mattress
Milliard Bedside Bassinet For Elevating Baby with Reflux
This bassinet’s height can be adjusted, accommodating tall beds that are as high as 31″.
It’s a helpful feature especially if you are tall or you’ve just had a C-section and you want to nurse your baby right next to you.
No more standing up and bending over each time, you can just scoop your baby right next to you!
You can also raise just one side of this bassinet and put it on a slight incline, helping your baby with their reflex.
Some parents are actually glad to use this, instead of using a wedge for their baby’s severe reflux.
It’s also quite a large and sturdy bassinet.
And it can be hard to move around, even with its wheels, according to some parents.
Most though appreciate its durability over its portability.
Some didn’t have any complaints about its wheels and just overall, found it perfect for their baby.
It also comes with other features such as:
- Storage pockets for newborn essentials
- Large and spacious
- Travel-friendly comes with a carrying case
Alternatives for Reflux Bassinets
These are not your traditional safe alternatives for a bassinet for babies with reflux.
But as long as you know the risk and you have a workaround for it, then go for it!
These items here have some informative reviews and feedback from parents, about how they helped their babies with reflux, so I hope it will also help your little one.
FAQ: Best Bassinet for Reflux
Can you tilt the bassinet for reflux?
Yes, you can tilt the bassinet for reflux babies IF and ONLY IF, it’s at least on a safe, allowed incline (10 degrees and lower) and if the manufacturer specifically mentions that feature in their bassinet.
How do I get my reflux baby to sleep in his bassinet?
You can get your reflux baby to sleep in their bassinet by putting it on a slight incline (if it allows it), by placing a wedge under their mattress, or by using a reflux pillow.
Just remember that there are risks to using these items, as these are not ideal to have in your baby’s sleeping environment. Here are also other ways to get a baby to sleep in their bassinet.
Is it good to incline a bassinet?
It can be good to incline a bassinet, especially if that’s the only way your baby will sleep on it.
However, just always remember that there’s always a risk of them rolling and putting themselves in a risky position if you don’t supervise them while they’re sleeping in the said inclined bassinet
Other Ways to Help Baby With Reflux
Try anti-reflux special milk formula
Some parents said it worked for their babies.
Try thickened feeds
Other parents have tried thickening their baby’s formula, by adding 1 teaspoon of rice cereal per ounce of formula. Just remember to ask your pediatrician about it before doing so.
Nurse/ bottle feed them upright
Try feeding your baby in an upright position. Make sure that their head is higher than their stomach.
Try frequent, smaller feedings
Overfeeding can lead to reflux so try to give your baby shorter, smaller but frequent feedings instead.
Change the bottle
Dr. Brown and Avent anti-colic bottles have a vent system that removes air from milk, which can help with reflux so try using that instead.
Let them stay upright after eating
Don’t lay them down on their bed. Just carry them or prop them upright in baby gear for at least 30 minutes.
Make sure they burp
Always ensure that they have a good burp after eating.
Try out various burping techniques while making them stay upright.
Use a baby carrier
Babywearing helps babies with reflux as it keeps them in an upright position and reduces spit-ups.
Change your diet
Some foods, like milk, eggs, chocolate, peppermint, high-fat foods, citrus fruits, etc. can cause reflux in your baby so if you’re breastfeeding, try to avoid them.
Ask for prescriptions
Certain medicines can help with your baby’s reflux like RX Zantac. Consult your doctor about it before getting anything online or over-the-counter.
Let them eat these
Other parents have tried liquid probiotics, and plain whole milk yogurt twice a day for their 4 months old (as recommended by their pediatrician) and it has helped with their baby’s reflux.
Let them sleep on their stomach
It’s against safety sleep guidelines but if your baby already has good head and neck control, then that should be safe.
Do tummy time the right way
Tummy time is essential for your baby so they can meet their developmental milestones but most will have a hard time staying on their tummy. There are some ways though to help reflux babies with tummy time, and with a little bit of patience, your litle one will be able to adapt to it!
Go on shifts
If none of the above is working, try babywearing your baby while sitting down.
Or let them sleep on their side, while fully supervised.
You can sleep in shifts with your spouse, so both of you can still get a few hours of sleep.
Best Bassinets for Reflux: Takeaway
Your baby’s reflux will eventually go away.
It’s difficult to deal with it but they will eventually outgrow it. So this won’t last.
But if you need help now and if a gadget or the best bassinets for reflux can provide that, then go and get it.
It might not be the most recommended product out there, nor is considered a safe sleep practice.
But if you know the risk and you have a workaround to lessen that risk, then go ahead and do it.
Pediatricians won’t admit to this, but some parents have mentioned their doctors recommending that they let their babies sleep on an inclined surface!
You just gotta do what you gotta do.
It’s better than slowly losing your mind over extreme fatigue and lack of sleep, which can also endanger your baby.
If you want a bassinet that can go an incline, and that has a track record for safe sleeping, then you can’t go wrong with the SNOO.
If you like this article, check out also my guide on How To Cope With Newborn Sleep Deprivation, Help Your Baby Sleep Longer At Night, and Best Baby Swings For Reflux.
