When investing in the newborn first bed, most new parents choose a bassinet as it is comfortable and cozy. It’s ideal for an infant before they can leap to something huge and sophisticated. But getting a baby to sleep in a bassinet is not a walk in the park.
If your munchkin loves to get most of their nap time in your arms, they are likely to fuss or throw a tantrum if you place them in a bassinet. However, if you want your young one to sleep peacefully, you will have to teach them to nap in a bassinet.
But, first, you need to understand why you should choose a bassinet for your baby.
Benefits of Choosing a Bassinet
Bassinets have existed for a long time and a good reason. They are lightweight and take up little space, and the greatest part is that new moms may compel their kids to sleep in their room.
However, there are sufficient and more technical reasons to choose a bassinet over other alternatives. Let us dive into it:
1. Affordable
The majority of bassinets are cheaper than other infant items. It would be an excellent pick for new parents on a budget seeking baby items. Additionally, it is a cost-effective choice to explore during the first few months before moving to a crib.
2. Require Less Space
For the first six months, it is advised that newborns sleep in the same room as their parents since this has been shown statistically to minimize the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome. If your apartment is small, a bassinet might be ideal. Your infant will be visible to you in this manner and not on your bed.
3. Portable
If you want to have your baby with you at all times, bassinets are an excellent alternative since they can be moved around easily. Some even come equipped with wheels, allowing them to be moved from room to room.
Reasons Why a Baby Doesn‘t Sleep in a Bassinet
It’s difficult for new parents to get their infant to sleep, let alone sleep in a bassinet. Most infants like to be swaddled and fall asleep in their mother’s arms. Bassinets do not even come close to providing the same level of comfort.
Additionally, newborns are light sleepers who wake up frequently; even when parents place them in the bassinet after rocking them for an hour, the babies whimper.
How to Get a Baby to Sleep in a Bassinet
You can teach your kid to sleep happily in a bassinet with the right skill. Consider the following ways to make your child’s bassinet more comfortable:
1. Make Your Presence Felt in the Bassinet
While we know that you cannot co-sleep with your infant in a bassinet, we understand that you can get the bassinet’s sheet to smell like you. Your infant recognizes your aroma immediately, providing them with a sense of security.
Making your presence known in the bassinet is one way to guarantee that your infant feels secure in the bassinet. First, sleep with the sheet tucked under your neck and chin for a few days, or use their sleeping clothing in the same way. While this procedure takes a few days to complete for the bedding to smell like you, it works like a charm.
2. Have a Fixed Routine
Maintaining a consistent sleep routine can help your youngster sleep on time. It is probably the most popular advice you’ve heard, yet it helps! Establish a consistent bedtime ritual for them that includes a warm bath followed by a short massage or nursing session.
Swaddle your infant and sing to them when they seem exhausted. After falling asleep, let them sleep in a bassinet and watch them sleep comfortably!
3. Swaddle Them
Swaddle your infant in your arms before placing them in a bassinet. When babies are swaddled, they feel comfortable and protected; swaddling mimics the warmth and security of their mothers’ wombs. Swaddling also reduces the startle reaction triggered by rapid light, sound, or temperature changes. Additionally, newborns that are swaddled feel less stressed.
4. Position the Bassinet Near Your Bed
As you begin to teach your infant to sleep in a bassinet, placing it near your bed so that your infant is aware of your presence is recommended. In this manner, they will be aware that their mother is around and that there is nothing to fear.
By keeping the bassinet next to your bed, you may also keep them close to you and reach out whenever they wake up crying. It is also preferable to co-sleeping since the latter puts the infant in danger of suffocation and creates a stressful sleep pattern for you.
5. Read a Book or Sing a Lullaby
Once your baby is in the bassinet, you may read them a book or sing a lullaby. Whenever you sing to your little one, your soothing voice will lull them to sleep. Additionally, reading a book or a short tale can relax them, and they will go to sleep and sleep soundly in the bassinet. Additionally, white noise devices might assist the baby in remaining asleep after they nap.
6. Lay Them Down Awake
To properly teach a baby to sleep in a bassinet, it is necessary to lay them down while still awake. As a parent, you may be tempted to cave when your child throws a tantrum or cries loudly when forced to sleep in a bassinet, but you must overcome it. Your baby will not get used to sleeping in a bassinet unless and until you teach them to do so.
The idea is to keep them snug and comfy before bed, and when you lay them in a bassinet, they should be tired yet awake. To do it properly, you must locate the sweet spot when he is tired enough not to object but awake enough to understand that they are being put in the bassinet.
7. Create a Comfortable Sleeping Environment
A conducive sleeping environment also assists your infant in falling asleep quickly. If you sleep with your baby in your bedroom, lower the lights an hour before putting them in the bassinet. Soft and cozy bassinet bedding is recommended.
Choose sheets composed of a polyester mix or natural cotton that are warm and soft to the touch. The room temperature is maintained appropriately to match the bedding, neither too cold nor too warm; otherwise, your little one may wake up.
If your child gets fussy shortly after being put in the bassinet, consider warming the sheets so that they do not feel the shift in temperature upon being moved from the coziness of your arms to the bassinet.
8. Purchase an Inclined Bassinet
Not all newborns are comfortable resting on their backs all night, particularly if they suffer from acid reflux. If you’re not comfortable raising the mattress with a wedge to incline it, search for versions that have an inclination or incline control. With these kinds of inclined bassinets, you should be able to find the ideal angle for your baby to sleep soundly.
9. Purchase a Bassinet That Rocks
There are numerous alternatives for bassinets equipped with rocking skids and wheels. If your infant prefers to be rocked to sleep, you may get a bassinet equipped with a rocking slide.
Additionally, incline bassinet versions have motorized rockers and a vibration function, which benefits infants who have difficulty falling asleep due to reflux. The more features a model has, the more beneficial it is for your kid.
Precautionary Measures
Avoid placing pillows, cushions, or toys in the bassinet to keep it as secure as possible. These things have the potential to suffocate your infant. Apart from the blanket used to wrap them and a pacifier, your child will need no additional items to sleep well.
If sleep positioners or wedges are necessary to alleviate the baby’s acid reflux, tuck them under the mattress to achieve the proper inclination angle.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Do I Put My Infant to Sleep When She Is Clingy?
Swaddle them to simulate the sensation of being held and then set them down. Continue to rock, sing, or massage your baby’s cheeks or hands until they relax. In terms of napping, you may either let them fall asleep in the baby carrier or assist them in learning to sleep independently.
How Can I Ensure the Safety of My Infant in a Bassinet?
To keep your infant safe in a bassinet, you should ensure that it is securely fastened and correctly situated. Additionally, it would be best if you looked to see whether it has been returned for safety reasons. You should contact the manufacturer or store if you have any concerns regarding the safety of your bassinet.
What Can I Do to Avoid SIDS?
The most effective strategy to avoid SIDS is to ensure your infant sleeps on a solid, secure surface. Additionally, it would help if you verified that their bassinet is securely fastened and placed safely.
Wrap Up
It may take some time to get your infant to sleep in a bassinet, but we know you can do it. And with the mentioned guidelines, we are certain that you will not go wrong.
Experiment with the methods listed above to see which one works best for your kid. Soon, your infant will be resting peacefully in a bassinet.
