It's a question many new parents and parents-to-be are asking themselves: Should I buy a bassinet, or jump straight to a crib? Which one is the best? What is the actual difference between the two, anyway? Read on, and you'll learn the answers to these questions, making the decision one you won't need to fret over.The Difference between Cribs and BassinetsThe major difference between cribs and bassinets is in how long they can be used. Cribs are used through the toddler years; you can keep your child in one until it's time for them to graduate to a bed, if you'd like. Bassinets, however, are designed to be used for only the first few months; three to five months, or until baby starts climbing onto all fours, is generally the cutoff.Another major difference is its footprint. Generally speaking, cribs are large; that's because they're made so that they can be used for toddlers, as well as infants. Bassinets are small, just large enough for an infant. Because of this, bassinets are the