How to Transition Your Baby from Sleeping in a Bassinet to a Crib

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that newborns sleep in the same room as their parent or parents, but not in the same bed, to reduce the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). In line with this medical recommendation, most new parents want to keep their newborn close to them as much as possible and prefer to have their new baby safely and conveniently nearby throughout the night. Because of this, baby bassinets are a popular and very common purchase for new parents and many newborns begin their life at home by sleeping in a bassinet in their parents' bedroom.

Bassinets come in all shapes and styles and provide a safe, cozy baby bed that keeps your newborn comfortable and within your reach. While bassinets are convenient for most new parents, breastfeeding moms often have a special appreciation for the manner in which bassinets are well-suited for multiple nighttime feedings and allow both mother and baby to more fully enjoy the bonding of breastfeeding, as well as a good night's sleep.

Parents who choose to use a bassinet for the first few months will need to transition their baby from sleeping in a bassinet to sleeping in a crib, or other infant bed, once their baby can sit up or roll over on their own, or once their weight reaches about 15 pounds. Generally, 3-4 months is the very longest a baby should sleep in a bassinet before transitioning to a crib.

Transitioning from bassinet to crib sleeping is often as hard - or harder - on the parent (or parents) than it is on the baby, but hopefully these five tips will help ease the transition.

How to Transition from Baby Bassinet to Crib: Using Naptime

Some parents set up both a bassinet and a crib for their newborn and use the crib for naps, while keeping their baby close to them in a bassinet for sleeping at night. This allows the baby to become familiar with both infant beds and to learn to sleep comfortably in a crib, as well as a bassinet.

Another option is to begin to use the crib for naps once you have decided it is time to transition from sleeping in a bassinet to sleeping in a crib. By taking small steps towards the transition, your baby is allowed to get used to the crib a little at a time.

How to Transition from Baby Bassinet to Crib: Buy a Baby Monitor

Buying a baby monitor for your baby's room will help ensure her or his safety, will help to alleviate your concerns and will hopefully allow you to limit the number of times you run to the nursery to check on your baby.

Naturally, you will be checking on your baby and feeding her throughout the night, but a baby monitor will allow you to rest a bit easier and hopefully help you avoid lying awake all night worried that you won't hear your baby when she needs you.

How to Transition from Baby Bassinet to Crib: Use a Nightlight

Since you know you will be going back and forth between your room and your baby's room quite a bit - particularly on those first few nights - purchase a small nightlight that is just bright enough to let you easily see that all is well, but not so bright that it will disrupt your baby's sleep.

How to Transition from Baby Bassinet to Crib: Move the Crib

Transitioning from a bassinet to a crib doesn't always have to mean that your baby sleeps in a separate room. You can always put the crib right in your bedroom and have your baby continue to sleep just a few feet from you if that is more comfortable. If your bedroom doesn't allow for a full-size crib, check out portable cribs and other infant bed options that might work in the space you have.

How to Transition from Baby Bassinet to Crib: Swaddling and Sleep Positioners

Cribs are roomier by nature and your baby might not feel very comfortable with all that open space. This is another reason that bassinets are so great for newborns, but when your baby gets too big or too active for a bassinet, there are options that can help make her feel more comfortable when sleeping in a crib.

One option is to simply swaddle your baby to provide the cozy warmth that newborns love. This works great for some parents and some newborns, while others feel that swaddling is too constrictive and not conducive to a good night's rest. For those folks, sleep positioners might be the way to go. Sleep positioners can also create a more cocoon-like feel and will help ensure that your baby doesn't turn over into undesirable sleeping positions when you aren't in the room.

Transitioning from sleeping in a bassinet to sleeping in a crib can be a challenge for both the parents and the baby, but once accomplished it will allow for a better night's sleep for everyone and will foster your baby's independence.

Sources:

American Academy of Pediatrics, www.aap.org