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A Comprehensive Guide to Bassinets
Good quality sleep is undeniably important for babies’ growth and development, especially as babies typically spend 80% of their time sleeping in the first year, but having a baby and a new little dreamer in the family is as exciting as it can be daunting. The questions surrounding babies' sleep and baby’s bassinets can pile up as quickly as your baby’s dirty laundry basket; where does my baby sleep? What bassinet do I need? When does my baby transition from the bassinet? We get it, and we’ve got you! This is your comprehensive guide to bassinets so you can feel confident in the A-Z of bassinets. From getting your newborn to sleep in a bassinet, how long a baby sleeps in a bassinet, when to stop using a bassinet and everything in between.
What is a bassinet?
First things first, what is a bassinet? A bassinet is a bed for babies specifically for the newborn phase until they are ready for a cot. The difference between a bassinet and a cot is the size; a bassinet is smaller than a cot and is great to move around the house and to bring to your bedside come bedtime. Each baby will be different in its development and transition from a bassinet to a cot, but a key sign they are ready to transition is if they are sitting up unaided. Often this also accompanies babies pulling themselves up to the side of a bassinet. This typically happens anywhere from 4 months – 9 months old, so how long you use a bassinet is relative to your little one’s development.
Do you need a bassinet?
One huge attributing factor for the popularity of bassinets is the fact that it’s not recommended that your newborn sleep in your bed as a parent - a bassinet is a great and convenient option to have your baby close. There are also many other benefits to having a bassinet for your newborn:
Sleeping benefits with a bassinet - If you are also breastfeeding, having a bedside bassinet allows you to get to your hungry little munchkin with absolute ease, so their waking and sleeping (as well as yours) is much smoother than walking back and forth during the night. The professional recommendation is that for the first 6 – 12 months babies should sleep in the parent’s bedroom, making bassinets an easy, safe and perfect choice for your baby's sleep and development.
Bassinets for an easier transition – Bassinets make for an easier transition from the womb. Bassinets allow for a similar cosy feeling to the womb by being a smaller sleeping space.
Bassinets for mobility – Bassinets are also light and easy to move around the house. Bassinets are not as deep as cots, which allows you to pick up your little one during the night with ease. This is particularly great for those with postnatal back pain or any other bodily movement restrictions you may have from your unique birth experience.
So, do you need a bassinet? We’ll let you come to your own conclusions there, but in our professional opinion, the benefits for both parents and babies make it a must-have for us.
Where should you place a bassinet?
Bassinets are best placed in the parent's room, and due to the nature and size of bassinets, this is ultra-convenient. Bassinets should also be placed at least one foot away from anything else that might be at risk of falling on or near the bassinet. By being a metre away from your bed; this also helps in keeping the bassinet from being a trip hazard for those pesky midnight trips to use the bathroom.
Your bassinet should also be on sturdy ground, so if you have other kids around the house already, you may need to double down on those stray pieces of Lego or toys that may cause an unsteady base for a bassinet. Keep your bassinet and your baby away from areas in the house that can overheat or under air conditioners that can get too cold. Protecting your baby’s sleep is one of the best ways to support their development, plus more sleep for them means more sleep for you, it’s a win-win.
How do you safely sleep a baby in a bassinet?
Safety is of the utmost importance when it comes to getting your baby to sleep in a bassinet. Some things to keep in mind when putting your baby safely in a bassinet include:
· Always put your baby to sleep on their back.
· Make sure you are getting the right size mattress for your bassinet, as well as the right size bassinet sheets. Make sure there is no gap between the bassinet and the mattress.
· Remove all soft toys, pacifiers, necklaces, blankets and pillows from the bassinet before putting your little one down to sleep, these can all be suffocation hazards. Your newborn should have appropriately fitted sleepwear like sleep suits and sleep bags that are also age and season appropriate for their comfort.
· Make sure your bassinet has no entrapments or holes that curious little fingers could get stuck in.
Choose a bassinet with proven efficacy, reliability and a sturdy base with no risk of toppling over. Each child is different, so when it comes to getting your baby to sleep in a bassinet, no one way cures all, but as a parent, putting the above safety measures in place for your baby’s sleep is one step you can do to ensure the space is safe, comfortable and ready for a good night’s sleep.
How long do babies sleep in a bassinet?
As mentioned earlier, the safe transition from a bassinet for your baby can vary depending on their unique growth and development. When your baby starts to show signs of rolling, pulling up or can sit up unaided, chances are they may be the right age to transition from the bassinet. It also means the chances are higher of your baby pulling themselves up on the side of the bassinet, which can be dangerous. This is when you should transition from a bassinet to a cot to avoid any risk of your little explorer tipping the bassinet or falling out. The age of transition from a bassinet can vary from around 4 months to 9 months, keep in mind each little one’s journey is different.
Why won’t my baby sleep in a bassinet?
If your baby is struggling to sleep in a bassinet, there may be several reasons why. Oftentimes babies will fall asleep in your arms or on you (hello numb arms) and refuse to sleep in a bassinet, or become restless when transferred into a bassinet. There are many reasons why babies often struggle to sleep in a bassinet, these are the most common four:
1. Sleeping habits – Good sleeping habits can take time to learn. Remember that habits are rarely learnt overnight and your baby will likely take some time to adjust to sleeping patterns, as well as sleeping environments like a bassinet.
2. Uncomfortable – There may be many reasons your baby is uncomfortable in a bassinet. Babies can become uncomfortable if they have a full nappy, something is irritating them or their skin, or their temperature is too hot or cold.
3. Overstimulation – We know it can be hard to resist hearing your baby’s adorable little giggle or to see their gummy smile light up at something utterly hilarious, but try and avoid doing this too close to bedtime as overstimulation can cause restlessness, overtiredness and an inability to fall asleep readily.
4. Unwell – If your baby doesn’t want to sleep in a bassinet, they may be unwell or a little under the weather. Check their nose for blocked airways and their temperature for fevers. Some babies can get indigestion, gas or reflux which can be aggravated when laying on their back, this may also be another cause of sleeplessness. There are many ways to support your child’s health and wellbeing, and with sleep being one of the best ways, it’s important to support their health in other areas too to allow for a good night’s sleep.
How to get a newborn to sleep in a bassinet?
There are many methods and tricks when it comes to getting a newborn to sleep in a bassinet at night.
Mimic the womb – A bassinet is great for transitioning a baby from the womb, as it is already a smaller sleeping space. Baby swaddles are another great way to help your baby in feeling safe and snug like they were in the womb. Our baby swaddles are perfect for a range of different temperatures to make sleeping as comfortable as possible. Swaddles can be a hard one in the heat of summer, so be sure to read this summer swaddle guide if your bubba is overheating.
Routine – Establishing a bedtime routine creates a healthy sleeping habit. Bedtime routines typically consist of things like bathing, gentle massaging, reading, soft music and calming essential oils. Each baby will respond differently, but finding a routine and sticking to it, is great for your baby’s ability to sleep and settle down when it’s bedtime. If you are struggling with routines, check out this handy little guide to baby’s sleep routines.
Sleeping aids – By sleeping aids we mean you as the parents. If your baby is experiencing indigestion or reflux, it can be helpful to roll them onto their side and gently pat them on the bottom or stroke their back until they fall asleep. Always remember to roll them back onto their back when they are asleep. Another handy sleeping aid is a white noise machine.
Sleep is a vital pillar for overall health and wellbeing, so starting a healthy relationship with sleep from the get-go is imperative for the little dreamers of today to become the big dreamers of tomorrow. Like all good things, and especially things relating to newborns, it’s a process and it can take time, don’t be too harsh on yourself if it doesn’t happen straight away, you will get there.