Getting Baby To Sleep In The Bassinet Instead Of Your Arms: Eliminating The Put Down
Ive possibly saved the best until last here if you can put this one into practice, youll be away. Literally and metaphorically.
This one eliminates the need to put baby down at all. When you think about it, it makes perfect sense: why try to transfer your newborn while asleep, why not try settling baby to sleep once in the bassinet?
Portable Cribs And Play Yards
When using portable cribs or play yards, it is important that you only use the mattress that came with it. Keep in mind that when these products were evaluated by the CPSC for safety, they were evaluated only with the mattresses they are sold with.
Likewise, you should only use sheets that were designed by the manufacturer and specifically made for your portable crib or play yard. In fact, you may not want to use a sheet with the play yard at all, especially if it did not come with one. Loose or bunchy sheets can obstruct your baby’s airway.
Brace Yourself And Be Strong
Get ready for the initial whimper when you drop your baby to sleep alone in the crib. The transition process can be difficult even when necessary. The baby might take a little while to get familiar with the new sleeping environment. Observe objectively and try not to go into the room everytime you hear the baby make a sound. You can always check on the baby with the baby monitor to be sure everything is okay and the baby is just fussy.
The goal is to get your baby to learn to fall asleep alone without any help. Babies can only fuss for so long except there is a medical reason.
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Bassinets Do Not Occupy Much Space
It is recommended that babies sleep in the same room as their parents for the first six months as it is statistically known to reduce the chances of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome . If your bedroom is small, a bassinet would fit in perfectly in your room. This way your little one will be in front of your eyes but not on your bed.
If Your Baby Rolls Onto Their Tummy
Once your baby can move themselves from their back to their front and back again by themselves, they will be able to find their own sleeping position.
The first few times they roll onto their tummy, you might like to gently turn them back, but do not feel you have to get up all night to check. Give them some time to play on their tummy while they are awake to help their development, but make sure you supervise them while they are on their front.
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Your Baby Is Used To Sleeping In Your Arms
For newborns under 3 months old, sleep habits and associations have yet to form. Although your arms may be the most comforting and soothing, its unlikely that this is habitual.
Between 3 and 4 months, babies become more alert and their sleep cycles become more distinct. This is when they can become attached to certain sleep props or aids, such as sleeping in your arms, which become sleep associations. Once used to sleeping in your arms, they will want to continue to fall asleep exactly the same way.
The tips below thatll teach you how to get a newborn to sleep in a bassinet will help your baby make different habits. Positive associations that dont rely on your arms!
What Are The Risks With Using A Bassinet
Babies have been seriously injured when their bassinet has tipped over, the bottom has broken, or the folding legs have collapsed.
Falls, injuries and suffocation are the most common risks associated with bassinet use if the:
- construction and design of the bassinet does not provide sufficient clear space around the babys head to avoid overheating and suffocation.
- mattress does not fit the bassinet, is too soft/thick or if pillows or folded blankets are used instead of a mattress
- bassinet tips over because the base is not sturdy
- folding legs collapse
- sides are not high enough
- bassinet no longer suits the size or developmental needs of the child once baby is showing signs of being able to roll, its time to move to a safe cot.
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Why Does My Newborn Wake Up As Soon As I Lay Them Down In The Bassinet
If your baby wont sleep in the bassinet, its probably due to a combination of reasons that relate to the huge change in the environment your baby experienced when born.
In the womb, your baby was snugly cacooned inside of you, in the warm and dark with the loud swooshings and wooshings of your body hard at work. In addition, they were gently rocked and swayed and jiggled, keeping that calming reflex almost permanently on.
Out in the big wide world, sleeping in your arms or on your chest is the next best thing. Your arms and body will provide several similar sensations that help keep your little one calm, content and easily able to fall asleep.
Unfortunately, anywhere else pales into significance and that includes the bassinet hence often your newborn wakes up as you put her down.
But, hopefully, now you can have a good stab at figuring out how to get a newborn to sleep in a bassinet, with 15 different things to try. Dont resign yourself to the fact that your baby only sleeps in your arms yet.
If youve skipped ahead, jump back to the main body of this article by clicking here: How to get your newborn to sleep in her bassinet instead of your arms
How To Get Baby To Sleep In A Crib In 8 Steps
November 29, 2022 by Abigail McGrath
Let’s Get Ready for Baby!
Getting your baby to sleep in their crib for the first time can be challenging, but its not impossible. With a few tips and tricks, your little one will drift off to sleep in no time. Here’s how to get your baby to sleep in a crib in nine simple steps.
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Warm The Bassinet Beforehand
Transitioning from your warm, cozy arms to a cold, firm mattress can be enough to startle your baby awake. One way to ease the transition is to warm the bassinet beforehand.
You might place a heavy blanket inside when its not in use to keep the mattress nice and warm. Or you can lay a heating pad on the mattress before setting him down, warming it enough to keep it comfortable.
That way, when your sleep schedule says its time to lay him down, the bassinet wont feel so cold compared to your arms.
Consider The Room Setup
Where you place the crib and how you set up your baby’s room are important. Even if they will be sharing a room with you for the first 6 months to 1 year, you need to consider not only where you are placing the crib but also what is nearby.
“You do not want to place the crib close to windows, blinds, or monitor cords,” Smith explains. “There is a risk of strangulation with cords if the baby is able to pull these things into the crib. Even when you are setting up a toddler’s bed, you need to make sure it is far enough away from the way. There is a risk of your toddler getting stuck between the wall and the bed.”
You also should keep the room temperature around 68 to 72 degrees Fahrenheit. If you feel like your baby might be too warm, feel the nape of their neck. If they are sweating or clammy, they are probably too warm.
It is important to avoid overheating, Dr. Turchi says. She advises dressing babies with a layer that would feel the right temperature to you, plus one more light layer, like a sleep sack. “Unfortunately, parents and caregivers have a tendency to bundle babies up and that is not good,” she says.
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Baby Milestones To Consider
Most babies start sleeping through the night at the age of 4 to 6 months. At this age, theyâre able to go through the night without needing food, and you start to enjoy longer stretches of uninterrupted sleep. During this stage, your baby is also growing rapidly and might start to outgrow their bassinet.
Thereâs no guide to tell you exactly when to move your baby to their crib, but there are some ways to tell if your baby is ready to make the switch:
Things You Can Do To Help Your Baby Sleep In The Bassinet
It is super frustrating when your newborn will not sleep in the bassinet. Here are 4 things you can do to help your baby sleep in the bassinet.
If you want to grab my baby sleep timing chart click here:
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If Your Baby Only Sleeps In The Infant Carrier
A carrier or sling is a bliss-inducing trifecta. “First and foremost, there’s the chest-to-chest contact. That kind of kangaroo care is very calming for infants,” says Dr. Mindell. “Add to that the warmth and smell of your body and the motion from walking around.” Plus, if your child has reflux, the upright position can make for a happier, less fussy baby. Gravity helps keep stomach acid down lying down does the opposite.
Putting Baby To Sleep In A Bassinet
If youre learning how to make baby sleep in a bassinet, chances are theyre still in their infant newborn stage. These portable baby beds are easy to move from room to room, and they can be placed right next to Mom or Dads bed for nighttime feedings. While mastering how to get a newborn to sleep right next to you in bed is easyand temptingits not safe. Experts recommend babies be placed on their backs in a bassinet or crib for the safest sleep and least likelihood of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome .
Note: While some parents are proponents of the cry it out method, newborns are too young to self-sooth. They simply dont have the ability to cry it out yet, so stay with them, rock them, and remain patient. Remember: these early days and months fly by quickly.
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Things To Know Before Purchasing A Bassinet
If you are a new parent you probably have not yet mastered the art of picking and choosing the best baby products.
It is a difficult task and many parents will often struggle to find the right kind of baby products to buy.
I am going to try and give you a few tips that will help you make a determination of the product you should choose.
A bassinet is a special type of crib that is meant to be used for the first few months of your childs life. It is a type of crib that is usually used by people who have a small baby who is not yet able to sleep in a traditional crib.
Bassinets will usually come set up in your home, and a lot of times, the bassinet will be handed down from family members.
A bassinet is very comfortable for a newborn. Its always a good idea to consider buying a bassinet. There are a variety of different bassinet designs, but its the basics you need to look for when purchasing one.
Features of Bassinet:
The most important features that are highly recommended are the following:
Hunger Kills A Babys Sleep
The main reason why your kid is unable to sleep in a bassinet is hunger. So, whenever your kid is unable to sleep or starts crying suddenly, make sure that they are well fed. A kids hunger is one of those things that, as parents, we need to gauge. So, always feed your newborn properly and will help them sleep well.
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Can Babies Sleep In Play Yards Instead Of A Crib
Play Yards are an excellent alternative to a crib in your bedroom, and best of all, they can be easily moved about the home as needed. Play yards are considered a safe sleep surface and provide soft, breathable siding without crib bumpers, which are not recommended due to the risk of SIDS and strangulation. So if you can only have one and you are deciding on pack n play vs. crib, opt for the pack n play because of its versatility.
Like cribs, play yards are subjected to rigid safety standards and considered an extremely safe option for room-sharing. So if you were wondering, Can my baby sleep in a playpen? Yes, they can! In fact, it is what most hotels offer as a sleeping option for infants and toddlers.
Make A Bedtime Routine: An Effective Tool
In the early days of birth, kids have no bedtime routine, and this is one of the main reasons for their resistance to sleep into a bassinet. So, for this, what you need to do is make a proper bedtime routine for your kid and adjust them accordingly.
While doing this, you will have to keep your kid awake during the daytime, and this may be hectic. But, once your kid has a bedtime routine so no matter what the place is, they will sleep with ease.
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Should A Newborn Sleep In A Bassinet Or Crib
Having a baby can take a toll on the wallet, and maybe buying both a crib and a bassinet isnt in your budget. Thats okay!
From an affordability standpoint, cribs make a lot of sense. They can grow with your baby for much longer than a bassinet can.
Compared to a crib, bassinets definitely have an earlier expiration date, since your baby will soon outgrow it.
Its no surprise that many new parents are curious: can a newborn sleep in a crib?
The short answer is yes, absolutely!
Theres nothing in the new-parent rule book that says you cant just buy one sleep surface for your baby that will last them into toddlerhood.
In fact, the American Academy of Pediatrics says that a play yard or crib can be completely safe and sufficient for newborn sleep. It just needs to meet the safety standards of the Consumer Product Safety Commission , which includes a flat and firm surface.
The AAP also recommends room sharing with your baby for the first six months to help reduce the risk of SIDS, which is where bassinets can really come in handy!
Ive highlighted the pros and cons of using a bassinet vs crib in this post!
The bottom line is that your baby can sleep in a bassinet until it is no longer safe for them to do so. The age and/or weight limit is usually listed on the bassinets website for easy reference.
Is Sleeping A Baby On Their Front Better For Babies With Reflux
All babies should be slept on their backs unless there is medical advice saying something different. If your baby has reflux, or any other on-going health condition, speak to your doctor about the best care for them.
You should not sleep your baby on their front unless you have been advised to do so by a medical professional.
Do not incline, tilt or prop the mattress, cot or baby. Doing so will not help with reflux.
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