Babies change a lot during their first year. And when your little one outgrows his bassinet and suddenly learns how to sit up, it’s time to think about new sleeping arrangements. There’s no hard-and-fast rule as to when babies should transfer into a crib or their own room, and most parents might decide to extend rooming together long-term. At some point between six months to a year, most babies outgrow their bassinet, and parents would want to reclaim their bedroom already. Transitioning from a bassinet to a crib may look daunting, but worry not. Here are some answers to parents’ most frequently asked questions and tips on how to transition from bassinet to crib.
How to Know if it’s Time to Move the Baby from the Bassinet into the Crib?
Moving your baby from a bassinet and into the crib depends on some various factors. Here’s a quick guide for you to decide when and how to transition from bassinet to crib.
How heavy is your little one?
Bassinets are great for newborns, but they normally have weight limits. Some as low as 10 pounds though most can support a 20-pound baby. You have to double-check the instruction manual to find its weight limit. But if you can’t find it or if you’re using a hand-me-down bassinet, err on the side of warning and move your little one into the crib when she/he hits 15 pounds.
Does she/he look cramped?
Even if your infant has not reached the weight limit, it might just be getting a little too cozy. Observe your baby the next time you put her down and check if he/she looks cramped? Check if their head or feet seem to be bumping on the sides or waking up quite often. It might be the right time to give her a little more space.
Tips on How to Transition from Bassinet to Crib
Some babies most likely won’t care much about the transition—they will just sleep happily wherever you put them. But if you’re anxious that any adjustment to their bedtime routine might cause your little one to have difficulty sleeping, here are a few tips on how to transition from bassinet to crib:
- Make the switch/transition in stages. Let your baby nap in the crib throughout the day for a couple of weeks until your baby gets used to it. Complete the transition so that your little one is sleeping in her/his crib all the time.
- Make a bedtime routine. If you haven’t previously established some nighttime routines (like a bath, read a book, snuggle, and sleep), now is the right time to do so. As you do and repeat these activities before bed every night, this will signal to them that their crib awaits.
- Same room, a different bed. It might be more comfortable for your little one (and you) to do just one transition at a time. Consider transferring her crib into your room for a few nights. Then once she has adjusted to sleeping in a larger space, you can move their crib back to its proper location.
- Sleepover in your baby’s room. One way to ease your baby into the thought of sleeping in her own space is to be with her. If you have an extra bed or a couch that you can sleep on, spend some nights sleeping with your baby.
- Stay for a while. Don’t just drop and dash—give time to your baby and a chance to settle down and get comfortable while you’re still around in the room. Another tip to try is to sit in a chair next to the crib as she starts to doze off, then move a little farther away the next night—and the night after—until you’re by the door and she’s asleep and happy on her own.
- Provide comfort. Until your baby is 1-year-old or older, you’re not supposed to put things like stuffed toys or even pillows and blankets into their crib. Instead, make the room more comfortable by dimming the lights and putting on some white noise.
Conclusion
Don’t let the idea of switching your baby from the bassinet to her own crib keep you up all night. There may be a few tired and sleepless nights in the future, but this transition should ultimately be beneficial for the entire family, especially to new moms. Thus, we hope that these simple tips on how to transition from bassinet to crib will lessen your stress and sleepless nights. Don’t worry, once your baby gets used to sleeping in her own space alone, you will be able to have that deep and sound sleep again. Know more about baby cribs.