As a new parent, one of the most overwhelming tasks that you have to face is getting your newborn baby to sleep in a bassinet. It’s natural for them to want to be near their parents, and they may not understand why you need them to sleep away from your bed.
However, it’s important for both your and your baby’s health that they learn how to fall asleep independently during their first few months of life. So don’t worry – we’re here to help! In this blog post, we’ll discuss some tips and tricks on how to get my newborn to sleep in a bassinet.
Can You Get My Newborn to Sleep in A Bassinet?
It is quite common for parents to have difficulty getting their newborns to sleep in a bassinet, especially if they are not used to it. In addition, newborns are accustomed to the comfort and warmth of the womb, making them more comfortable in a tighter space such as a crib or Moses basket.
That said, bassinets still provide an important safe sleeping environment for your baby, so trying out different techniques to make them feel snug and secure is worthwhile.
A swaddle blanket can help ensure that your infant feels comfortable and secure in the bassinet. At the same time, other measures like sound machines and white noise can be effective for breaking any connection between bedtime and boisterous activity.
With patience and experimentation, you’ll soon get your newborn happily snuggled into their new bassinet!
Why Should You Get My Newborn to Sleep in A Bassinet?
Sleeping in a bassinet is the best way to provide your newborn with a safe and comfortable sleeping environment. Bassinets are smaller than regular-sized cribs and are specially designed for babies in their first year. The sides of the bassinets are low, allowing parents to easily pick up and put down their baby without bending over to reach them.
In addition, most bassinets come with a wide range of features, including adjustable heights, removable side panels, stationary bases, and incline mattress settings to help give your baby the best possible sleeping position. Overall, a bassinet is ideal for accommodating your baby’s unique needs while providing peace of mind as they sleep.
7 Tips and Tricks to Follow on How to Get My Newborn to Sleep in A Bassinet
1. Establish A Bedtime Routine
Having a regular bedtime routine is essential for helping your baby settle into their bassinet. This could include giving them a warm bath, singing lullabies, reading stories, or doing light stretching exercises. A consistent routine will help your baby recognize when it’s time for sleep and make it easier for them to drift off peacefully.
2. Create A Calming Environment
Creating an environment that is conducive to sleep is key when trying to get your newborn to sleep in their bassinet. Start by ensuring the room temperature is comfortable, then dim the lights and turn on some white noise or soothing music if desired.
Additionally, avoid stimulating activities like playing with bright toys or talking too much, as this can make it difficult for your little one to wind down.
3. Encourage Self-Soothing Techniques
Self-soothing techniques are invaluable for getting babies settled into their bassinets. Try using techniques such as swaddling or rubbing their back until they relax and start calming down before putting them in the bassinet. You can also try offering pacifiers or other comforting objects like stuffed animals or blankets to help soothe them while they sleep.
4. Invest in a Quality Bassinet
Having a quality bassinet is essential for ensuring your baby’s safety and comfort when sleeping. Look for a firm mattress with adjustable sides, ventilation holes, and straps to keep your baby secure. Additionally, ensure the bassinet meets all safety standards before putting your newborn to sleep.
5. Avoid Overstimulation
Newborns are easily overstimulated and can become fussy as a result. Try to keep the noise level in the room low, limit how often you move them around, and avoid talking too much when getting your newborn settled into their bassinet. Doing so will help keep them calm and relaxed so they can drift off peacefully without interruption.
6. Make Sure The Bassinet Is Uncluttered
It’s important to make sure that your baby’s bassinet is free of any clutter that could be distracting or uncomfortable while they sleep. Remove any blankets or pillows that could be suffocation hazards, and clear away any hard objects like toys or furniture that could cause injury if your baby were to roll onto them.
7. Monitor Your Baby’s Sleep Patterns
Monitoring your baby’s sleep patterns can help you identify any potential problems that may be preventing them from sleeping in their bassinet. Look for signs of restlessness, how often they wake up during the night, and how quickly they fall asleep after being put into the bassinet.
Doing so will help you determine what adjustments need to be made to ensure your little one is getting a good night’s sleep.
That’s it! You’ve now learned how to get my newborn to sleep in a bassinet. Following these tips and tricks will help ensure your baby is comfortable and safe in their new sleeping environment.
Things You Need to Know Before Getting Your Newborn to Sleep in A Bassinet
Having a newborn is exciting for first-time parents, but getting your baby to sleep safely can be a challenge. When considering a bassinet as the sleeping option for your new little one, there are a few important things you should be aware of.
Before purchasing your bassinet, you must check the ASTM certification and ensure it meets safety requirements. Additionally, depending on the size and weight of your baby, the mattress should fit snugly, with no more than two fingers being able to fit in between the side of the bassinet and the mattress.
An adult should always assemble and install the bassinet, ensuring all components are fitted correctly and securely according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
Most importantly, once set up in its permanent location, it must never be moved with your baby inside – even if it’s just across the room! Following prescribed safety measures will give you peace of mind, allowing your child to enjoy comfortable and safe sleep times!
5 Benefits of Getting Your Newborn to Sleep in A Bassinet
1. Helps Baby Sleep Better
One of the benefits of getting your newborn to sleep in a bassinet is that it can help them sleep better. Bassinets are designed to provide a comfortable and safe sleeping environment for babies and can help promote better sleep for both infants and parents.
2. Reduces the Risk of SIDS
Another benefit of using a bassinet is that it can reduce the risk of SIDS. SIDS is a leading cause of death for infants under one year of age, and bassinets can help to reduce the risk by providing a safe and comfortable sleeping environment.
3. Increases Bonding Time
Getting your newborn to sleep in a bassinet can also increase bonding time between you and your baby. When you are able to spend time together in a quiet and peaceful environment, it can help to create a strong bond between you and your child.
4. Makes Feeding Time Easier
Bassinets can also make feeding time easier for both you and your baby. When your baby is sleeping in a bassinet, you will have easy access to them for feedings, and they will be less likely to wake up during the night when they are hungry.
5. Provides a Safe Sleeping Environment
One of the most important benefits of using a bassinet is providing a safe sleeping environment for your newborn. Bassinets are designed to meet all safety standards and help keep your baby safe while they sleep.
6 Common Mistakes People Make When Trying to Getting Your Newborn to Sleep in A Bassinet
1. Overstimulating Before Bedtime
One of the most common mistakes parents make when trying to get their newborn to sleep is overstimulating them before bedtime. This can include things like playing with them, talking to them, or even holding them.
While it may seem like these activities will help your baby to sleep, they can actually have the opposite effect. Overstimulating your baby before bedtime can make it more difficult for them to fall asleep and stay asleep.
2. Not Establishing a Bedtime Routine
Another common mistake parents make is not establishing a bedtime routine. A bedtime routine should be something calming and soothing for your baby.
It can include a bath, massage, or even reading a book together. Having a consistent bedtime routine will help your baby know it is time for sleep and make it easier for them to fall asleep.
3. Putting Them to Bed Too Late
Another mistake parents often make is putting their baby to bed too late. Newborns need a lot of sleep, and putting them to bed too late can make it more difficult for them to fall asleep and stay asleep through the night. Therefore, it is important to put your baby to bed reasonably so they can get the sleep they need.
4. Not Responding to Their Cues
Many parents also make the mistake of not responding to their baby’s cues when they are trying to get them to sleep. Babies will often give cues that they are tired, such as yawning or rubbing their eyes.
If you ignore these cues, your baby may become overtired, making it more difficult for them to fall asleep. Therefore, responding to your baby’s cues is important so that you can put them down for a nap or nighttime sleep when they are tired.
5. Using Feeding as a Sleep Aid
Another common mistake parents make is using feeding as a sleep aid. While feeding your baby before bedtime can help them feel sleepy, it should not be used to get them to sleep.
If you use feeding as a way to get your baby to sleep, they may start associating feeding with sleeping, and it will be more difficult for them to self-soothe and fall asleep on their own.
6. Rocking or Nursing Them To Sleep
Finally, many parents make the mistake of rocking or nursing their baby to sleep. While this may seem like an easy way to get your baby to sleep, it can create problems.
If you rock or nurse your baby to sleep, they may start associating these activities with sleeping and have difficulty falling asleep on their own when they are older.
Finding The Best Mattress And Accessories For Your Baby’s Comfort When Napping or Sleeping In A Bassinet
Finding the perfect mattresses and accessories for your baby’s bassinet can be daunting. Not only do you want to make sure that your little one is as comfortable as possible, but you also want to ensure that the materials are safe, durable, and of top-notch quality.
The best place to start when searching for new bedding is to shop around, read reviews, and ask friends who may have purchased their own items. Additionally, it is important to pay attention to the thickness of the mattress – too thin and your newborn may be uncomfortable; too thick and it won’t fit in the bassinet!
Finally, suppose you are unsure about certain safety or material concerns or just don’t know exactly what type of mattress would work best for your baby. In that case, it may be a good idea to consult with a professional such as a pediatrician or an expert in infant care products and supplies.
With some research and careful consideration, you can find the perfect mattress and accessories for your little one’s home away from home – their bassinet!
Conclusion
With the right strategies and tips, you can help your newborn learn how to self-soothe and settle into their bassinet without needing rocking or feeding every two hours!
Establishing a regular bedtime routine, creating a calming environment, and encouraging self-soothing techniques are great ways of getting your little one used to sleeping peacefully and easily in their bassinet. Thanks for reading our post about how to get my newborn to sleep in a bassinet.
