At night, you probably place your baby down to sleep in a snuggly bassinet, but you may not know just how long a baby can sleep in a bassinet. If your baby sleeps like a dream in one, you may dread the day the bassinet has to go. Unfortunately, your baby can’t sleep in one forever, so when do you need to make the switch?
Two Signs It’s Time to Ditch the Bassinet
When considering when to transition from a bassinet, there are two factors to consider. Your baby should be done with the bassinet once they reach the product’s weight limit or they start to roll over, whichever occurs first.
In general, babies are ready to transition out of a bassinet between 3 to 6 months. This is the age when babies usually learn to roll over. Once your baby hits that milestone, their snuggly bassinet becomes a safety risk.
Yes, rolling over ruins everything! Not only do the swaddles have to go, so does the bassinet. When babies are stationary, bassinets are safe cozy beds. Once they can roll, suffocation becomes a real risk.
A baby who rolls over can find themselves with their faces pressed into the sides of the bassinet and they don’t always have the ability to roll back to safety.
You may think mesh sides can prolong your baby’s stay in a bassinet. While mesh walls are recommended in modern bassinets, they are still not intended for rolling infants. Mesh sides and similar products like mesh crib bumpers just haven’t been researched enough to deem them safe.
Of course, weight limits can trump rolling over. The majority of bassinets on the market have weight limits between 15 to 20 pounds. If your little one is particularly chunky and hits the weight limit before rolling over, then the transition has to happen anyway.
If you’re looking for an estimated timeline, the CDC provides some averages. Most male babies reach 15 pounds around 4.5 months, while females hit 15 pounds a month later at 5.5 months.
As with any baby product, consult your bassinet’s product manual. It will list the bassinet’s weight limitations.
Remember to Keep Sleep Safe
Before even purchasing a bassinet, you need to make sure it passes certain guidelines. Yes, that means safe sleep guidelines. You may be sick of being beaten over the head with safe sleep rules. New parents are reminded of them constantly – we even had to watch a video on it before being released from the hospital.
It really is a life-and-death situation though. According to the CDC, there are 3,500 infant sleep-related deaths a year. These deaths include Sudden Infant Death Syndrome and suffocation.
Despite this, so many parents still practice unsafe sleep habits. For instance, 22% of surveyed parents reported not placing their baby on their back to sleep.
You might be a safe sleep expert, but in case you’re not, read below to review the basics.
Safe Sleep Guidelines
Whether your baby sleeps in a bassinet or not, follow the four safe sleep guidelines to keep them safe and alive. The guidelines are as follows:
- Always place baby on back to sleep.
This goes for naps and nighttime sleep. Do not place your baby on its side or front unless your baby’s doctor has told you otherwise. - Use a firm sleeping surface.
You may adore your cozy pillow-top mattress, but it’s no place for your baby to sleep. Babies should be on flat firm surfaces like crib mattresses, proper bassinets, or playards (pack and plays). - Keep the sleeping area free of all soft objects.
When I was an infant in the 90s, sleep was a bit of a free-for-all. Babies slept with piles of blankets, pillows, and stuffed animals. Thankfully, we know better now. A baby’s sleeping area should be clear of any bedding or toys; opt instead for a fitted sheet. - Room share, not bed-share.
The temptation to bed-share is a real one. Although it sounds like a way to easier sleep, it’s just too risky. Babies need to be placed on their own separate sleep surfaces.
Do, however, have that separate sleep surface in the same room as you. Research has found that parents’ natural tossing and turning is enough to keep babies out of dangerous deep sleep. Plus, it keeps mommy and daddy close in case of an emergency.
Not every bassinet on the market is approved for safe sleep. To be certain of your choice, keep an eye out for certain certifications. For instance, bassinets must meet strict standards to receive a CPSC certification. Products awarded this certification are proven to protect from hazards like entrapment and suffocation.
RELATED: The Safest Cribs, Mattresses and Bassinets for Safe and Sound Sleep
How to Transition from a Bassinet to a Crib
Undoubtedly, the transition from a bassinet to a crib isn’t always an easy one. If you’re dreading when the time will come, let’s see if we can try to make the process easier.
Pick a New Sleep Space
First and foremost, moving away from the bassinet doesn’t mean moving out of your room. If your baby’s bassinet is in your room, switch it out for a crib instead. The AAP (American Academy of Pediatrics) recommends babies room share (but not bed-share) for the first six months of life, preferably the whole first year.
The best-laid plans though don’t always work out, of course. If a bedroom can fit a small bassinet, it doesn’t necessarily mean it can accommodate a crib. In my house, we did move the crib into our room for a few months but it meant months of awkwardly squeezing past the giant crib to get to bed every night.
If a crib in your room is a definite no, but you still want to room share, you can consider a mini crib or a smaller pack and play. If you have to do awkward shimmies past a mini crib for a few months, it will be worth it.
Whether you choose a crib or pack and play, the safe sleep guidelines listed above are still relevant. Quilts, pillows, and crib bumpers look adorable in staged photos online but just say no. Your baby only needs a fitted sheet.
RELATED: How Long Can Your Baby Sleep in a Pack ‘N Play?
Plan Ahead
Second, for the transition, plan ahead. While you can, you really shouldn’t try the transition spontaneously. More importantly, you should start setting the wheels in motion once you first see signs of rolling over readiness.
If you haven’t started a bedtime routine, this is the perfect time to implement one. Experts emphasize the importance of routines for babies. Having a set of regular steps to expect every night makes babies feel safe and secure.
There are no steadfast rules for bedtime routines. You just have to follow your baby’s cues. Your baby may need to be rocked to sleep or you may need to give them a pacifier. As an infant, my baby needed blackout curtains and a white noise machine.
If your baby was a fan of the swaddle, but you have to retire it, introduce a sleep sack. Sleep sacks are a safe alternative to swaddles and loose blankets. Sacks differ from swaddles because the arms are free. Parent favorites include the Nested Bean Zen Sack and Halo cotton sleep sacks.
Also, it’s time to start considering if you want to sleep train. Your baby might not be ready for it yet, but it is coming up. There are several different methods and you may need to research to find the best fit for your family.
RELATED: Best Sleep Sacks for Baby
Be Patient
Nobody likes change, and that goes double for babies. Expect the process to be a rough one, unless you have a particularly agreeable little one!
Do yourself a favor and start with nap times in the crib. During the day, you won’t be fighting your own exhaustion and will likely have more patience on supply.
Whether nap or nighttime, your baby will probably find it comforting if you stay in the room until they fall asleep. Few parents enjoy lounging on the floor or even in the crib waiting for some snoring, so this is where patience comes into play as well.
Sleep time was a struggle in our house, but I tried to remind myself that nothing is forever and this too shall pass!
RELATED: How To Get Your Baby To Nap Longer
FAQs – How Long Can a Baby Sleep in a Bassinet
Do babies need to sleep in a bassinet at all?
No! While bassinets are miracle workers for some families, others can do without. Babies can sleep in a traditional crib from day one, as long as all safe sleep guidelines are met. If going with a crib, it’s best to have the crib in the same room where the parents sleep. Room sharing, not bed-sharing, is recommended by experts.
Are bassinets safe for babies to sleep in?
Recent recalls of sleeping products due to infant deaths can understandably have parents avoiding all bassinets. Lists of recalled sleepers include products named “bassinets,” after all.
It’s important to note that the term “bassinet” can be used to describe various types of sleepers. Recalls have covered inclined sleepers, such as the Fisher-Price Rock n’ Play sleeper. Inclined sleepers can potentially cause suffocation because of the position of the infant’s airway.
However, non-inclined sleepers, like bassinets with flat surfaces, do not pose such a risk. If you would like your baby to sleep in a bassinet, it is safe to do so, provided you choose a proper one.
How do you know a baby is going to roll over soon?
Good question! Since rolling over means bye-bye bassinet, what are signs that the time is coming? Look for these signs between three and six months:
- Consistent head and shoulder lifting during tummy time
- Rolling onto sides
- Accidentally rolling over (without trying)
What are the best bassinet brands?
As with any baby product, “best” is a matter of opinion. Still, there are more popular options. Parents rave about bassinets from the following brands: Halo, 4Moms, Snoo, and BabyBjorn. Budget-friendly options include Fisher-Price, Graco, and Evenflo.
Do bassinets need sheets?
Generally speaking, it’s best to use a sheet in a bassinet. A sheet protects the mattress of your bassinet from the bodily fluids babies are famous for expelling, like spit-up and diaper explosions.
You cannot use just any sheet though. Fitted sheets specially designed for bassinets are the only bedding you should utilize. The typical bassinet sheet is 15″ by 33″, but your bassinet may have sheets included.
Conclusion
For the first few months of your sweet new baby’s life, a bassinet is a safe and secure sleeping area. However, once your child starts to roll over or reaches the manufacturer’s weight limit, you’ll need to transition them into a crib or other bed.
To ease the transition, plan ahead and be patient. Change can be difficult, but with time and preparation, your baby will be snoozing sans bassinet in no time.
