When considering your baby’s sleeping arrangements, a bassinet can be a lifesaver. These cozy, compact beds are perfect for newborns, providing a secure and convenient sleeping space right next to your own bed. However, babies tend to outgrow their bassinets faster than you might expect. Today, we’ll explore when it’s best to move your baby out of the bassinet into a crib.
As babies develop, their need for space and comfort evolves too. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends moving your baby from a bassinet to a crib by the time they reach around 4-6 months old or when they start showing signs of outgrowing their bassinet. Signs that it might be time to move your baby include:
- Difficulty rolling over due to limited space.
- Reaching the weight limit or height limit of the bassinet.
- Increased activity and movement during sleep.
- Visible signs of discomfort or restlessness.
Recognizing these signs ensures your baby continues to sleep safely and comfortably.
When To Move Baby Out Of Bassinet
Transitioning your baby from a bassinet to a crib doesn’t have to be daunting. Some families will choose to transition their infant to their own room and crib during this process, and other families will choose to continue room sharing. You should choose what is best for your family and your comfort level. In my experience, babies sleep better overnight in their own sleep space when they reach 4-6 months of age. With that being said, you should never compromise your comfort level as a parent, and you should always do what feels best to you and your family. If it brings you comfort to sleep in the same room with your baby, you should. As your baby grows, you may decide to transition your baby to a crib. Either way, we are here to support you and your goals. Here are some tips to make the process smoother:
Practice Sleeping in the Crib
Start by introducing short periods of sleep in the crib during nap times. This helps your baby get accustomed to the new sleeping environment gradually. You can start giving your newborn naps in their crib as early as the first day that you arrive home to help them transition from a bassinet more smoothly.
Allow your baby to nap in the crib while you monitor them with a baby monitor to ensure that they safely sleep. Remember to lay your baby down on their back, and when it comes to the crib, ensure it’s safe by using a firm mattress with a snugly fitted sheet. Anything else in their sleeping area can pose serious risks to your little one, even if it is only during nap, and seems harmless like a quilt, blanket, or stuffed animal.
Follow a Routine
Establishing a consistent bedtime routine can help signal to your baby that it’s time to sleep. Routines are an amazing step to create consistency that is reliable for both you and your baby. A bedtime routine could look something like this:
- Bath (on bath nights)
- Lotion and massage
- Pajamas
- Feeding
- Books
- Cuddles/Songs
- Put in crib
Using white noise or soothing music can create a familiar sleep environment that encourages relaxation. Make sure that the sleep environment is blackout and dark to create an optimal sleep environment.
Allow Adjustment Time
Give your baby a few days to adjust to sleeping in the crib. Be patient as they become accustomed to the new space and reassure them with comforting touches and soothing words. Transitioning gradually can help your baby feel secure as they move to their own sleeping space. Watch their wake windows and ensure that you are setting them up for success.
So when should you transition to a crib? It all depends. Transitioning your baby from a bassinet to a crib is an important milestone that ensures their safety and comfort as they grow. By recognizing when it’s time to move and following these tips for a smooth transition, you can create a peaceful sleep environment for your little one.
If your infant shows signs of readiness to transition from a bassinet to a crib, you can start to implement independent sleep skills, also known as sleep training. Sleep training will help your baby fall asleep independently for both naps and nights. This will help them learn to start sleeping through the night. If you’re struggling with the transition and you want to get them on a sleep schedule, I highly recommend looking into a sleep training program to address their sleep needs on a one-on-one basis.
Sleep Shore Sleep Consulting
Is your little one having difficulty self-soothing for naps? If your child is unable to fall asleep, stay asleep, or wake up at a normal time, it may be time to consider sleep training. Sleep Shore offers personalized solutions for each unique sleeping situation to get your little one on track- whether they’re a newborn, infant, or toddler. We also offer in home sleep training services in the Boston, Massachusetts and Michigan area. Sleep training offers babies and children with the skills to fall asleep on their own so they can wake up feeling more well-rested- and in turn, you’ll feel more energized, too! See what this mama had to say about our sleep services below:
“I can’t recommend Sleep Shore enough! We had the pleasure of working with Danielle and she was kind, professional and so knowledgeable from that first call. She heard all our concerns and helped us to execute a plan to help our baby sleep better. It’s the best money I have spent and truly life changing being able to get some sleep. Our baby is thriving on the new schedule, with the small tweaks she made. This is our 3rd baby and we felt so lost with his struggle to sleep, compared to our first 2. After just a couple days of working with Danielle, we saw immediate improvements. If you’re questioning if it’s worth it to hire a sleep consultant, DO IT.” – Mom of a 6 month old