The transition from a bassinet to a conventional crib is crucial for your child’s safety and the quality of their future sleep.
As a new parent, you should know that the best time to make the switch is when your child is four months old. Besides, other factors will make you move your kid.
Let us see!
Best Time to Move the Baby from a Bassinet to the Crib
Here are concerns to consider while making the transition.
What is the size of your child?
You can have the best bassinet for the newborn, but they generally have weight restrictions. Some are as light as 10 pounds, but most can handle a 20-pound infant.
You may find the weight restriction in the instruction manual or on the manufacturer’s website. Put your toddler in a crib after they reach 15 pounds.
Can the Baby Sit in the Bassinet?
A newborn who has learned to sit should not be placed in a bassinet since they may fall and injure themselves.
Does the Baby Appear Cramped?
If the head or feet keep banging against the bassinet’s sides or ends, it’s time to offer them a little extra room.
Other Indications That It’s Time to Make the Change
Even if you don’t notice significant physical changes that imply the baby has to be taken to a crib, some of these indicators may help you figure out what’s best for your infant if:
- Your baby has started waking up from time to time at night, especially at unusual hours – this is an indication that the baby is used to their bassinet but is not comfortable in it.
- If your baby is frequently caught in an uncomfortable position, it implies they are crowded within the bassinet and are outgrowing it.
- You find your baby is waking up grumpier than normal.
- If your infant can’t move because there aren’t around 2 inches of room at the top and bottom, it’s time to consider switching.
How do I Move my Infant from a Bassinet to a Crib?
Some infants will likely be unconcerned about the change and will contentedly sleep wherever you place them. If you’re concerned that the shift may make it difficult for your child to sleep, here are a few options to aid with the transition:
Make the Changeover Gradually
Allow the kid to sleep in the crib each day for a few weeks until they adapt.
Have a Tight Schedule
Now is time to create some nightly routines. A consistent bedtime routine is beneficial to all newborns, so they’ll learn that their crib and sleep are waiting for them if you do these things every night.
Same Room, but a Different Bed
It may be simpler to transition your baby to a crib if you make one transfer at a time, so consider bringing their crib into your room for a few nights. You may then return it to its appropriate position once they are used to sleeping in a larger space.
Sleep In the Baby’s Room
We’re not proposing you sleep in the crib, but spend a few nights sharing a room with the baby if you have a bed. Going with your baby is another method to ease her into the notion of napping in her room.
Use Sound Machines and Baby Monitors
The baby monitor helps you monitor your infant during the transition. It keeps track of your baby’s growth in falling asleep on their own to reassure parents. Also, you can monitor the baby’s sleep patterns and temperature and humidity fluctuations.
Using a sound machine might help prevent your child from waking at each sound in the home. If your infant is used to a certain white noise, consider putting it in the crib to help them sleep better and smooth the transition.
Chair Technique of Sleep Training
It allows your infant to calm down and feel comfortable when you’re in the room, rather than dropping and dashing. Allow yourself to stay for a time. Please take a seat or sit on the floor next to the crib as the kid begins to sleep.
Gradually move further away the following night till you’re out the door and she’s content on her own.
Make the Room Comfortable
Put objects (like pillows, plush animals, and blankets) in the crib until your kid is 12 to 18 months old. However, make the room more pleasant by lowering the lights and turning on some white noise.
Don’t allow the prospect of your baby moving from your room to their crib to keep you up at night. Your baby will learn to sleep in their room, allowing you to regain your space. It could take some time to adapt, but this move should benefit the entire family in the long run.
Things to Consider Before Moving the Baby from a Bassinet to Crib
Although there are many different cribs available, your primary job as a parent is to ensure your child’s safety and comfort by selecting the appropriate crib.
Some individuals prefer a convertible or portable crib, while others prefer a standard-sized one.
Standard cribs make it easy to choose the perfect baby mattress and bedding. A circular crib is also popular among parents who want to match their nursery’s motif.
Once you’ve determined when to transition your kid to a crib, there are a few things to consider:
Verify that the Crib Complies with all Safety Regulations
When buying a crib, choose the greatest one from a reputable manufacturer. Check whether the crib meets the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission’s recommended safety criteria (CPSC).
Examine the Size
The normal crib size is 28″ x 52″ (71 cm x 132 cm), and the crib bars or slats should be at least 2 3/8″ (6 centimeters) broad to prevent your infant from slipping out or becoming trapped between the slats.
Look for a Snugly Fitting Firm Mattress
It’s also crucial to get a firm mattress for your baby’s back support and make sure it fits snugly in the crib. We recommend reading the full guide on buying a crib mattress to learn how to find the best crib mattress.
The mattress should be so tight that no more than two fingers can fit between the mattress and the crib’s edges.
That protects your child from being trapped or suffocating in holes in the mattress.
Your kid should not be able to leave the crib if the mattress is more than 6 inches thick.
Loose sheets can cause entanglement, so the crib sheet should be tight-fitting and have an elastic all around for a precise fit.
Check for Large Cutouts on the Headboard and Footboards and Drop-Side Rails on the Crib
Headboards and footboards in cribs may seem nice. However, if they have any significant cutout patterns or gaps, they might endanger your baby’s safety. As a result, if you prefer a headboard or footboard crib, seek one with a solid design or minimum cutouts that are not potentially dangerous.
Furthermore, avoid it no matter how safe a drop-side crib purports to be. That is because drop-side rail cribs are more dangerous than useful.
FAQs
Should the bassinet be placed near the bed?
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) advocates for room sharing. It reduces the incidence of Sudden Infants Deaths Syndrome (SIDS) by up to 50% and is far safer than sharing a bed. It is advisable to place the bassinet next to your bed in your bedroom.
When should you put your child in their room?
Newborns become considerably more sensitive to the details of their environment. They may struggle to adjust to the shift. It’s best if you do it when the baby is seven months.
When should I no longer use a bassinet?
Bassinets should be used for six months, but many other criteria must be considered, including the baby’s weight and height, the appropriate weight range for your bassinet, and, most significantly, your baby’s growth.
Final Word
Always keep in mind that every baby’s milestones arrive at various times, much like physical growth. Please pay attention to your infant and be patient with them. You can’t push your baby to go to sleep in a foreign place right away.
Help them be comfortable in their new surroundings and adopt wiser methods to transition from bassinet to crib more smoothly.
Even if your kid can’t say goodbye to the bassinet, trying every day and remaining consistent can help them adjust to their new bed.
Ensure the room is a bit dark and clear of harsh lighting to make a move smoother. Don’t leave the infant alone in the crib while napping.
Ensure the crib is secure during the night by removing any additional pillows, soft toys, sheets, or bumper pads. Additionally, utilize a baby monitor to maintain a constant check on your child. Remember to give your baby your scent in some way to make the crib seem like you.
