Design
The Rico Bassinet is void of the frills and bows that you normally see with this style of bassinet and opts for a very simple white look. It's well made, solid and a good size to sit next to your bed.
It's made from a powder-coated steel frame, cotton fabric and polyester mesh.
Features
This bassinet features a fully enclosed hood with mozzie net, a firm fitting mattress made of breathable material, mattress cover/sheet, transport/storage bag and an under bassinet storage basket for linen. It also has a little pocket on one end, I'm not sure what would fit in it but you can never have enough storage when you have a newborn.
It comes complete with a coverlet and pillow but I'd consider SIDS and Kids recommendations for safe sleeping before using either.
Performance
The Rico bassinet is a little pod of comfort for your baby. The mesh sides and top allow for free-flowing air and will help keep your baby cool in summer. The mesh also allows you to clearly see your baby both through the top and when you are lying next to it in bed.
The enclosed top will keep curious pets and toddlers away and pesky insects out. It zips both around the bassinet and in the middle so you can zip it open without taking it off to get your baby in and out. The top also makes this bassinet suitable for outdoor use.
It's a little fiddly, but pretty easy to assemble and disassemble and you can fold it with the mattress inside. Once folded it is easy to carry around and you can pack it in its carry bag for portability or for storage. It's certainly more portable than many port-a-cots on the market.
Drawbacks
You can't remove the cover for washing which is a big drawback for a white bassinet if it contains a beautiful bundle of regurgitation and super poop. If you were keen you could wash the top but other than that it's spot cleaning only.
Valco recommend you only use their specifically designed sheets which would be fine if you got more than one with your bassinet. Considering you don't that's not very practical advice.
It has no handles or wheels, so if you are looking for those features you are out of luck with the Rico.
Conclusion
I'm a bit of a fusspot when it comes to the look of my baby products but I also love a good bit of practical design. If I was looking for a bassinet the Rico would be very high on my list of possibilities.
You can never do enough to lower you baby’s risk of SIDS. Find more information on the SIDS and Kids website and support Red Nose Day every year.
About Valco
Yeah! Valco is an Aussie company producing a wide range of prams and accessories and distributing them around the world.
