Knowing when a baby is too big for a bassinet can be a daunting task since the baby cannot speak for himself.
But as a loving parent, you need to be vigilant and observant of the small tell signs that should alert you when your baby needs an upgrade of the sleeping area.
We both know that bassinets are convenient for small babies, and they offer a comfortable experience in their first year. Since the baby has not yet known how to support himself with two legs, most of their time is spent sleeping inside the bassinet or being carried.
But the truth of the matter is that babies usually grow fast during their first year, and in no time, they’ll outgrow the bassinet without your knowledge.
But worry no more.
This post highlights the obvious signals your baby will portray once he outgrows his bassinet.
Keep reading to find out more.
Why Should You Use a Bassinet
A bassinet ensures your child has the best sleeping place for his age. At such a tender age, they usually need adequate space to get a peaceful time which is important for their health.
The bassinet also enables you to watch over your kid close to where you sleep while giving them adequate space needed for sleeping. The space also ensures your baby sleeps comfortably throughout, giving your baby a desirable sleeping experience.
If you want your baby to enjoy a considerable sleeping space that gives him a comfortable experience, a bassinet will do that job perfectly.
How Long Should Your Baby Sleep in a Bassinet?
As soon as the baby is born, the best place to keep them safe and comfortable around the confines of the house is in a bassinet. But do they stay there forever? We’ll find that out shortly.
Different babies have different growth rates; therefore, there is no specific time when kids stop using a bassinet. But the average time frame you can use a bassinet is usually from six months up to a year.
Like every other cloth your baby outgrows, they equally outgrow the bassinet. However, it depends on your baby’s height and weight limit.
Weight limit
Babies grow up fast, which results in addition in weight. Every bassinet has a specific amount of weight limit it can support. Most of the bassinets usually support between 15 to 30 pounds at maximum.
The constant addition in weight with time makes the bassinet unable to support the weight of your kid. After some time, you will have to get your baby a new sleeping space.
Height Limit
As your baby grows, an increase in height is not an exception. Daily there is a constant increase in height from the upper body and the legs.
With time, your baby will achieve a height that the bassinet cannot accommodate, making it difficult for your kid to sleep in the bassinet.
When is a Baby too Big for a Bassinet?
Various signs indicate your kid no longer needs to sleep in a bassinet, and it is totally upon you as a parent to identify them and make the correct decision.
If your kid has indeed outgrown a bassinet, it may be time to move them to a more spacious crib that will guarantee him adequate space and comfort.
Waking Up Frequently
Babies sometimes wake up late at night for other reasons, but it may be time to consider changing to a better crib if it is frequent.
When your baby wakes up late at night at unusual hours, he is already used to the bassinet and is no longer comfortable sleeping inside it.
Comfort is among the key ingredients to ensure your child leads a healthy life. To have a good sleep, you must give him all the comfort he deserves; hence a much bigger space is required.
When your Baby Starts Moving
Once your baby develops enough energy to move themselves to a sitting position or even stand, it may be appropriate to switch beds.
Bassinets usually do not have high walls; therefore, they can easily get over the wall if your baby is strong enough to stand independently.
If they accidentally get over the wall, they may fall and sustain horrific injuries. Therefore, it is wise to switch beds to ensure your kid remains safe even when you are not around to prevent such unwanted injuries.
When He Dislikes the Bassinet
Disliking the bassinet is a sure sign your baby does not need it. If you notice your kid becoming aggressive and fussy whenever you try placing them in their bassinet, it may be the time to change their bed.
The major problem that makes almost all babies begin disliking the bassinet is the space factor. Most of the time, they have a bigger body than the space in the bassinet.
Since kids like moving around, the space in the bassinet will limit their movement; hence, they will automatically dislike being placed in it. So if you notice your kid resisting the bassinet, it is time to consider the space factor and get them a larger bed.
When they are Not Getting Enough Room
If you observe your kid sleeping at night and you notice they are not getting enough space for spreading their arms and legs, you should think of changing to a more spacious bed.
Due to their physical growth, their head can also bump frequently on the bassinet’s headboard, causing discomfort while sleeping. The space in the bassinet does not also give them the allowance to relax after waking up in the morning due to its compactness.
This sign is a sure sign that your baby needs a bed upgrade.
When the Baby is Old Enough to Stop Using a Bassinet
Most bassinets usually have an age limit of usage depending on your type of bassinet. Some recommend at four months, others at six, while others a whole eight months but the decision for transitioning is for you as a parent to make.
To determine when your kid should stop using a bassinet, consider other factors such as movement and growth activities.
But growth activities vary from one kid to another depending on how fast they mature. If your kid is six months and has not matured, you still have some time allowance to let him mature a bit to take him to another type of bed.
Transitioning from the Bassinet
When you decide to move your kid from a bassinet to another bed type, you will need to get a bed type that gives your kid a comfortable experience. If you want a baby bed that will give your kid adequate sleeping space, a crib will fit him perfectly.
Transitioning is the most tricky part, but your kid will have a smooth time adjusting if you do the right thing. Though it may take some time to adjust, your kid will soon fit in the new space if you do the transitioning properly.
First, make the crib as comfortable as possible. A comfortable crib will make your kid prefer sleeping in the crib more often.
Secondly, you do not want to abruptly rush your kid into new sleeping environments as it may disrupt their sleeping patterns. The secret here is to introduce them gradually until they get used to the crib.
Another tip is to linger near the baby’s crib before he sleeps. Lingering near the crib will make your kid get comfortable in the crib easily for the moment before soothing him to sleep.
You can also use the tactic of being in the same room but on different beds. This tactic is the most effective for getting kids used to their crib.
When the crib is new, you place it in your room, where you can watch your kid adjust to the new space for a few nights. You can now transfer them to their room with the crib.
Frequently Asked Questions
When Should I Stop Using a Bassinet for My Baby?
It depends on your baby’s behaviors, growth rate, and age. Your baby is said to have outgrown the bassinet once he exceeds the required weight for his bassinet, and he becomes moody whenever you place him in the bassinet. Also, the maximum required age for a bassinet is about eight months to one year, depending on your baby’s growth.
What Should I Do When My Baby Wakes Up Right After Placing Him in The Bassinet?
When your baby keeps waking up once you place him on his bed, they can’t adjust to the change in temperature between your arms and the one on the bassinet.
A good solution is to cover them with the blanket placed on the bassinet. The blanket absorbs heat from your arms and maintains it even when you place it on the bed; therefore, your baby rarely realizes the temperature change.
Wrap Up
Knowing whether your baby has outgrown his bassinet has never been simplified in this manner. The post above enlightens you on some common problems most parents ignore when handling their baby in the bassinet.
You should also keep in mind that if your baby has outgrown the bassinet, they will require a crib to make them more comfortable while sleeping. Before he gets used to the new crib, you must follow a few steps to ensure your kid enjoys smooth transitioning.
After going through the information above, detecting whether your baby is too big for a bassinet should not be an issue.
