I think we can all agree that getting a baby to sleep in the bassinet is an essential part of bassinet care. Place your baby in his or her bassinet for naps, and nighttime sleep will be much easier, but if your little one refuses to sleep in the bassinet, it might make things difficult. So what should you do?
Just keep trying! Some babies are more challenging to get used to sleeping in their bassinets than others. But when does this change? We’ve come up with some tips for getting babies over three months old (or older) to sleep in their bassinets.
First of all, What is a Bassinet?
Have you ever heard of a bassinet? If you have but don’t know what it is, this article is here to tell you. A bassinet is a baby bed with three wheels and two legs that allow the user to move it around easily. It has often been confused with a carriage or stroller by new parents or those who are unfamiliar with them.
Today they can come in many shapes and sizes, including some convertible ones, which can even be used as a playpen! These unique features make bassinets versatile and useful for all purposes, whether for naps on the go or extended sleeping sessions at night.
The first mention of the word “bassinet” was found in France in 1805. This word was used to describe a “cage,” like a bed that was elevated off the ground. It is said that these beds were often carried around by servants known as “femmes de chambre.” Nowadays, bassinets are considered as both functional and comfortable additions to your baby’s nursery.
It has also been documented for wealthy parents during the Victorian Era who would use them as sleeping quarters instead of cribs at night time. This allowed their children to sleep in the same room but prevented further disturbances from mid-night feedings or diaper changes.
For modern-day parents who do not want to purchase separate strollers and cribs, bassinet inserts have also become popular. These can be placed on top of regular strollers, and some models can even be folded like a regular stroller! This allows parents to reap the benefits of both bassinets and traditional strollers at the same time.
Today, you can find bassinets manufactured from various materials such as wicker, wood, plastic, and metal. The best material for your baby’s safety is one with no sharp edges or points on which they can easily bruise themselves. Bassinet mattresses are also made using soft cotton cloth for the comfort of your baby. At the same time, portability is added by using hard rubber casters that allow it to roll around smoothly.
The next time someone asks you what a bassinet is, tell them that it’s a hybrid between a stroller and a crib! With all these new varieties popping up, it’s no wonder so many parents are looking to bassinets as their preferred choice for baby bedding.
How to Get Baby to Sleep in Bassinet?
Steps on how to get baby to sleep in bassinet.
- Put them back down: The first thing that needs to happen is that you need to put them down and let them cry. If you keep picking your baby up, they will associate the bassinet with movement and get angry when they realize they’re going to have to sleep in there alone.
- Move closer: This is a new concept that might not work for everyone, but if you put your baby down and let him or her cry it out at first, try moving the bassinet a little bit closer each time. Eventually, your little one will get used to sleeping in the bassinet and won’t give you such a hard time about it anymore.
- Add bedding: Once your baby has gotten used to the idea of sleeping in the bassinet without too much fussing (or maybe not even any), add some bedding to make it more inviting. This includes a sheet, bumpers, and even a little stuffed animal if you want to go that route.
- Try for more extended periods of time: For some babies at this age, spending even twenty minutes in the bassinet is too much. If you are concerned about your baby’s comfort levels, try putting them down for half an hour or forty-five minutes at first. The goal is to get them used to sleep in there long enough so they can fall asleep on their own without being rocked or fed back to sleep when they wake up.
- Avoid sleep props: Sleep props are anything that keeps your baby from learning how to put himself back to sleep after waking up in the middle of the night. Once you take away the need for props such as nursing, rocking, and pacifiers, it will be that much easier to get your baby to sleep in his or her bassinet.
Remember that babies will let their parents know when they’re ready to stop sleeping in their bassinets. If you continue to try and put them down, and they won’t stay asleep for more than ten minutes- or even if they consistently sleep well in their bassinets from the beginning – it’s probably time to move them over to a crib.
In general, however, babies under three months old should be allowed to sleep in the bassinet if they want without too much trouble!
Important Things to Know
Certain models have been found to be dangerous in the past so always ensure that your beloved child is safe at all times when using one by checking that there are no sharp edges or loose screws.
It may also become a choking hazard if any of the casters break off, which means you either need to get them repaired immediately or thrown out altogether.
Other types of accidents can happen from falls from higher beds, but this is not a problem with most modern-day bassinets, which usually only stand about 2 feet off the ground.
Never leave your baby unattended when using a bassinet, and always check that the wheels lock securely before placing them inside.
Additional features like canopy nets and mattress pads can also be purchased separately to provide more comfort and added protection from germs. You can find many models at your local baby store for between $75 to $200, depending on the material used, so it’s never too early to start looking!
