What a tough question. Each parent often wonders this. I know I did!
Every parent has fantasized about their kid resting in a crib while wearing pajamas and a smile pulling at their lips, but do you know when to transition from bassinet to crib? You probably went out and bought the nicest crib money could buy in preparation. However, the reality is that putting your baby down for a nap or nighttime sleep in their cot may be more challenging than you anticipated.
When To Transition From Bassinet To Crib?
You have to figure out if the transition should take place now or at a later time. During the first few months of life, babies have growth spurts that cause them to develop at an astoundingly exponential rate. If your child can no longer fit in the bassinet, the moment may have come to convert them to the crib. It is essential to avoid letting your baby bump into the sides of the bassinet since this could wake them up and cause them to cry.
The majority of babies make a move into the crib between the ages of three and six months. It is possible that it is not yet time to rush into the transition of moving your baby from the bassinet to the crib if the infant is still sleeping soundly in the bassinet. However, the length of time you wait before trying to breastfeed can affect the level of resistance your infant displays.
The transfer from bassinet to crib would be simpler for a younger infant than for an older baby who had become accustomed to the bassinet. Additionally, it is best to avoid transitioning the infant before making a significant adjustment to their environment, such as going on vacation or moving into a new place.
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What Is A Bassinet?
A bassinet is a small place to sleep for newborns. It is smaller than a crib. Most bassinets are put next to your bed so you can get to your baby easily at night. Many bassinets are also mobile, so your baby can nap near you during the day.
Common Kinds Of Bassinets
Cradle Bassinet
This bassinet, which can be used for either a boy or a girl, has a simple look, but it has complex technology: It lets you keep your baby calm while you do things around the house or watch Netflix.
How does it work? It helps your baby fall back to sleep by gently rocking back and forth. It’s not the hard rocking of old cradles. Instead, it’s more like what they’d get if they were, say, in their magical car seat. The back and forth is very simple, and babies love it. The Baby Bjorn Cradle Bassinet is of the great options for this kind.
You can move the bassinet from room to room because it is so light. It also responds to your baby’s movements, so when they start to fuss, it will start to rock them. We love that the mesh sides are soft and smooth, so the baby’s toes and fingers won’t get stuck.
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Light-Up
This modern bassinet from Fisher-Price has a lot of built-in features that will keep your baby busy until he or she falls asleep. It’s like the hippest nightclub for babies.
It has calming vibrations, very relaxing music, a light show that can be projected, and soft lighting in the form of a nightlight. Your baby is probably cooler in this bassinet than you are, and they are also sleeping, which you probably aren’t doing much of if your baby is in a bassinet.
Essential Things You Need In Transitioning Your Baby
The act of “transitioning the baby” from the bassinet to the crib is likely to be the most challenging aspect of the process. It’s possible that at first, it may appear to be a little confusing, and that you will have a lot of questions regarding the process. What is the best way to lull my infant to sleep in their crib? What can I do to make my child feel more at ease while they are in my care?
The American Academy of Pediatrics suggests the following steps as a good place to begin the process of helping your infant transition from the bassinet to the crib:
- A full-size crib can accommodate the baby’s growth as it occurs over the months. Because of this, the crib may be used for various purposes and is quite roomy.
- A firm mattress aids in better sleep for the baby and protects against aches and pains. If the mattress is too soft, your infant might not have the strength to move away from it and prevent the air supply from being cut off. Because of the firmness of the mattress, the infant would be unable to shift into a posture that could be harmful while sleeping.
- A clean and uncluttered place for your baby to sleep, free of any cushions or blankets that can disrupt their rest. This is another measure you can take to protect your child if you or your partner experience movement during pregnancy.
- Putting your child to sleep on their back rather than their stomach. This is the most secure position for sleeping. Your infant will have a more comfortable night’s sleep as a result, and the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) will be reduced.
- Your infant will have the best night’s rest in a room with a temperature ranging from 68 to 72 degrees Fahrenheit. No question that improving your baby’s sleep quality can be accomplished by ensuring that he or she falls asleep at the ideal temperature.
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Transitioning Your Baby
After you have gathered all of the components that are required for the process of transitioning, the most important question to ask yourself is: What is the most effective strategy to make the shift with your baby by putting up as little opposition as possible?
Prepare the Crib
If you want your baby to start sleeping in the crib, making it as comfortable as possible is a great way to get them to do so. When you put the baby to sleep in the crib, make sure the sheet is not too cold or the baby might wake up. Parents who want to make sure their baby is comfortable and warm while sleeping in a crib can use a sleep sack instead of swaddling.
If your baby needs to be close to you to fall asleep, he or she will probably want to smell you while they are sleeping. Before you switch, it might help to sleep on the baby’s crib sheets for a few nights so that they pick up your scent and make it seem like you are close by.
Transition in a Steady Manner
Your baby needs to feel safe in their crib, and this doesn’t happen quickly. Before making the whole move, your baby needs to be comfortable in the crib. You can get your baby used to sleeping in the crib in your room first. Once your baby is used to sleeping there, you can move the crib back to your baby’s room.
You could also try letting your child take naps during the day in their crib before you try to get them to sleep in their new bed at night. Another helpful piece of advice would be to stay in the room with your baby during the early stages of the transition until he or she falls asleep. Then, slowly decrease the amount of time you spend there until your child no longer needs your presence to fall asleep.
Make a schedule for yourself
Babies have a fairly regular sleep schedule, and they do best when they adhere to it. Your baby will benefit from your reliability. Throughout the first year, they take solace in routine and continuity. Get to know your baby’s sleeping habits and base your routine around them. Make the transition as smooth as possible, especially for younger babies, by figuring out what works best for your baby’s sleep routine and sticking to it.
Ready Yourself and Keep Your Strength
Inevitably, your baby will cry when you put him or her down in the crib by themselves for the first time. Although transitions are often essential, they can be challenging to go through. The infant may need some time to adjust to his or her new sleeping arrangements. Try to keep an outside perspective and not rush into the room every time you hear the baby cry. If the infant is fussing, you can use the baby monitor to make sure everything is all right.
The idea is for your infant to learn to go to sleep without you. Except in the case of a serious health problem, infants can only cry for so long before getting their needs met.
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The Takeaway
A good night’s rest is invaluable, and cannot be quantified in monetary terms. You’ve come to the right place if you’re looking for an excellent bassinet for your infant. All your questions about bassinets, from determining whether or not you need one to learning about the various options available, are answered here. There are portable models, stationary ones that let you keep an eye on your infant and even ones that look great in your living room if you’re trying to sell your house.
You don’t even have to get out of bed or lift your baby out of their bassinet to benefit from the fascinating technology included in some models.
