Of course, if you are a new mom so you must be taking care of your child all the time, trying to be a super mommy of the family. During the night, you put your baby to sleep better in a cozy and warm bassinet in your room, and you notice your baby sleep like he is having the best nap ever and there your fear comes out thinking that the little one has to leave the bassinet one day. With this clarity, we now know that the babies cannot nap in a bassinet their whole life, and so the question here arises, when do you need to switch their sleeping arrangements?
Two signs that are enough to leave the bassinet
When thinking related to the transition of a baby from a bassinet, there are two significant factors that one should consider. You should not permit your baby to nap in the bassinet anymore once they cross the bassinet’s weight limit or begin to roll over; however, it does not matter whatever sign appears first.
Usually, babies are all prepared to transition from bassinet to the crib after 3-6 months of age.
You must alter the napping arrangement of your baby after they start rolling because when babies are motionless, bassinets are cozy and safe beds for them, but once they roll, the choking becomes a real risk for them.
A baby can press their faces towards bassinet sides, particularly when they roll over and don’t know how to move back safely. Although the parents think that mesh sides can help extend your baby’s bassinet usage.
However, the mesh sides are suggested in the latest bassinets, but still, these are not anticipated to be good for rolling children. Mesh sides and the same stuff, such as mesh crib bumpers, are still not confirmed to be safe.
The second reason is the weight limit. Most bassinets in the marketplace include weight limits around 15-20 pounds. In case your little one is chubby and has crossed the weight limit earlier, then you must make the transition happen.
If you are searching related to the predictable timeline, check the CDC website as it offers some averages. Mostly boy babies reach 15 pounds in 4.5 months. On the other hand, females reach 15 pounds in 5.5 months.
It would be better to check your bassinets manual. If you have misplaced the manual, you can check related to it on the bassinets website. It will help you to understand everything related to the bassinet’s weight limitations.
Don’t forget to keep your baby’s nap safe.
Before even buying a bassinet, you have to ensure it passes particular rules. Yes, I mean to say safety rules. I know you are sick of listening to safe sleep rules, but new parents need to hear that constantly even to avoid the risk of any death; it is essential that you never think to take it non-seriously because this is a matter of someone’s life and death. As per the CDC, there are nearly 3500 infants deaths related to sleeping in a year. These demises are due to Sudden Infant Death Syndrome and oxygen deprivation. Caretakers cannot expect babies to nap safely if they don’t follow the correct rules.
In spite of this, numerous caretakers do not practice safe snooze habits. For example, 22 percent of graphed parents told not to put their child on their back to slumber. If you are unaware of safe sleep habits, check below the guide.
Safe Sleep Guidelines
No matter your baby naps in a bassinet or not, you must follow the given four safe sleep rules to ensure the baby is safe and breathing.
Always put the baby on the back for sleeping
Whenever your baby is having a nap or night slumber, ensure he sleeps on his back and not on his side or front unless you get advice from your doctor or any health care professional near you to avoid any risk. You need to follow guidelines for at least 12 months to avoid any dangerous outcomes.
Utilize a firm sleeping surface
Although you may want to use a soft and cozy mattress for your little ones, but babies require mattress with a flat and firm surface such as crib mattresses, playards (pack and plays), or bassinets, especially during night slumber.
Make sure the sleeping area is totally clear
Although in the 90s, babies used to snooze with multiple blankets, animal toys and pillows beside them, but we are a generation with enough knowledge. Luckily, we understand that it is required that the baby’s sleeping surface must be free of all matter.
Say no to bed share
I know you are desperate to share a bed with your baby, and it does not look like too complicated, but it is not safe. Babies require a separate nap area.Although, if you don’t want to get your eyes off them, then you are permitted to keep them in your room using a bassinet but again, not the bed.
The study has revealed that it is enough that parents toss and turn to keep babies safe from deep naps risks. And yes! Do not forget to check that your bassinet meets all safety standards because not all bassinets available in the market are safe. If the bassinet has CPSC certification, then you can go for that bassinet without any issue. Because products certified by CPSC are safe from risks of suffocation.
How to Transition baby from a Bassinet to a Crib?
No doubt the transfer of a baby from a bassinet to crib is no piece of cake. If you fear what you will do when the time will come so when you have to move the child to the crib here we have a few tips for you.
Select a new snooze area
First of all, understand that shifting from bassinet does not mean that you let the infant sleep out of your room. In case the baby’s bassinet is in the parent’s room then transfer the baby to a crib in your room.
The AAP ( American Academy of Pediatrics) suggest babies share a room with their parents in the initial six months or most likely the whole year. Baby can sleep in their parent’s room sharing with good security and comfort. Mom can simply place the crib in your chamber for 12 months for secure parenting. However, in case your bedroom is too small for the crib so you can consider buying purchasing the mini-crib or pack and play.
No matter if you select the pack and play or crib make sure it meets the safe snooze rules. However, you might get allured by quilts, crib bumpers, and pillows but don’t go for them as for now your baby only requires a fitted sheet.
Plan in advance
Always plan for the transition because you cannot try the transition right away. Most importantly, you better start preparing for the transition from the bassinet once you notice your child has started rolling over. In case you don’t have a bedtime routine so it is time you make one because according to an expert when parents emphasize the significance of routine for babies; the daily set of expected steps makes babies feel secure.
Although there are not any clear-cut bedtime routines. All you have to do is to take some steps and do it before bedtime. For example, I used to give blackout curtains plus a white noise machine to my baby before placing him on the bassinet. So you can also do something like that such as give him a pacifier before bed.
In case your toddler loves to swaddle then it is time that you switch it with a sleep sack since it is a safer substitute comparatively to swaddles as well as loose blankets. The sacks are dissimilar from swaddles as the arms are free. And yes! Now it is time to begin training your baby to snooze.
Although you might feel your kid is not ready for it but you have to do it; if you don’t have any idea related to this training then you can use the internet and check several site so you get some research to know how you do this in the best way possible.
Be Patient
Of course, no one is too rapid to adopt change, particularly babies who are too sensitive. So don’t rush to change the baby’s snoozing position in a day and leave the bassinet. But on the other hand, be a bit slow. Make him habitual of his new crib. Put him in the crib during the day no matter if he is awake and check how he is reacting if you see him happy and sound then just leave the bassinet for further use.
Conclusion
In the initial months, the bassinet is a safe sleeping surface for your baby but once the infant begins to move and cross the manufacturer’s weight limit then you have to transfer them to a crib or some other safe bed. To make the transition easy and does not affect the baby’s comfort; follow the above steps. Although change might be a bit tough but with time the baby will leave the bassinet without any difficulty.
You can’t expect to have a safe sleep for your kid in the bassinet if you ignore the rules and last but not least! make the switch from bassinet when your toddler is ready and comfortable. in case you have further queries related to toddler’s sleep you can further research to clear your all confusions.
Parents Also Ask
How long does a baby sleep in a bassinet?
When you bring your little one from hospital to home, most parents put their baby under bedrest close to their bed. This offers enough comfort while you breastfeed. However, how long a baby sleeps in a bassinet is a bit critical because bassinets size is small, and your child will soon leave the space; ultimately, he will be transferred to a crib.
If you have a sensitive baby, it might take him long to shift, but you have to transfer him to the crib after some time when he is ready to adopt changes. in this way, the baby’s comfort will also not get affected.
How long can I allow my baby to sleep in a bassinet?
Although these have small sizes, bassinets are an ideal choice to keep babies. Infant’s up to 6 months are kept in it. They can be taken in travelling with it, and they have perfect space for the newborns. These are utilized to temporarily let babies sleep in it before they are shifted to cribs. However, the healthy children’s organization has suggested to parents to keep their babies near to them when they are napping to resist sudden death infant and bassinets are seen as a perfect way to resist sudden sleep death of infants. because bassinets are small and mommies can put their newborns in bassinets and let them snooze beside them to keep an eye on them for their safety.
How the mom can know a baby will start soon to roll over?
Excellent question! Because rolling over is a major sign to say bye-bye to basinet then what are the signals that the baby is going to begin rolling soon? Observe the given sign in the middle of three to six months:
– Continuous lifting of head and shoulder throughout tummy time
– Rolling onto sides
– Unintentionally rolling over( even when the baby is not trying)
Do babies require to sleep in a bassinet from day one?
No! Although most people take bassinets as the best thing that happened to them while others can go without it. Babies can sleep in old fashioned sleep from the day of their birth if that crib meets all the safe sleep requirements.
Do bassinets require a sheet?
Although it is great to use a sheet for your bassinet. A sheet defends the mattress from the bodily fluids kids usually expel such as spit-up plus diaper explosions. Nevertheless, you cannot utilize a sheet. Fitted sheets are particularly designed for bassinets and these are only you should use. 15″ by 33 is the normal bassinet’s sheet is. However, your bassinet may include a different sheet.
