How Long Does A Baby Sleep In A Bassinet?
A bassinet is many baby’s first bed, being a special type of cradle that’s specifically designed for newborns to sleep in.
They’re beds that bring a whole load of benefits to parents, as well as offer safety to the babies, and this has made them a popular (if not essential) starter bed for babies.
However, one of the biggest questions that comes with bassinets is how long does a baby sleep in them for? At some point, the baby will need to move from their bassinet into a crib, where they’ll then continue to sleep for a while longer.
But how long should they be in the bassinet? And what factors do you need to think about when considering moving them into a crib?
If you’ve been wondering how long your baby should be in their bassinet, you need to read our helpful article! We’ve got expert advice on everything you need to know.
How Long Does A Baby Sleep In A Bassinet?
When it comes to how long a baby should sleep in their bassinet before being moved into a crib, there is no definitive answer.
Instead, it relies on a range of factors, which we’ll be covering shortly. As a result, the case is different for every baby.
For example, some parents might keep their baby in the bassinet until they’re six months old, while others might move their baby cover into a crib as early as three months. However, you shouldn’t go beyond six months.
The factors that influence moving a baby from their bassinet to a crib are largely to do with size, both the size of the baby and the size of the bassinet, but they also depend on the parent’s personal preferences and the time at which the baby should begin sleeping in their own room.
The Size Of The Baby
A key factor determining how long your baby should stay in their bassinet is their size. The reason for this is that bassinets typically have a weight limit listed with them, and these weight limits need to be closely kept to.
The general weight limit for bassinets that I’ve come across is about 20 pounds, but some can go as low as 10 pounds.
This means that you need to pay particular attention to the growing weight of your baby, because you shouldn’t allow their weight to exceed the limit.
For example, a baby could exceed a 10 pound weight limit in just their first month of life, at which point it wouldn’t be safe to leave them in the bassinet.
The weight limit should be listed in the bassinet’s instruction manual, so make sure to keep it. If it isn’t listed there, check the website of the manufacturer.
If you still can’t find the weight limit, then it’s best to under-play it and be safe. How safe? Well, when your baby reaches 15 pounds in weight, it’s a good idea to move them out of the bassinet and into a crib.
The Size Of The Bassinet
Additionally, you need to be keeping an eye on the size of the bassinet itself. Even if your baby hasn’t exceeded the weight limit yet, you need to watch them carefully and check that your newborn hasn’t become too cramped in there.
There are many signs of this, and they’re all easy to spot. For one, the baby might be waking up regularly and suddenly, being jolted awake by discomfort.
On top of that, you might see that their head, hands, and feet are repeatedly brushing against the walls of the bassinet.
If your baby is too cramped, then it’s time they stopped staying in the bassinet and moved into the (larger) crib.
The Baby Is Sitting, Standing, Or Rolling
A third factor to be aware of that shows your baby has been in their bassinet too long is whether they’ve learned to pull themselves into sitting positions, managing to stand up, or even rolling over.
The reason these new actions require a move to a crib is because they put your baby at risk.
Since bassinets can be quite shallow, and are certainly more shallow than cribs, they’re going to pose a risk to a baby that’s now able to move around so much.
If the baby can stand, then they can easily fall over the side of the bassinet, and so it’s absolutely crucial that you move them to a (taller) crib to keep them safe.
They’re Old Enough For Their Own Room
Finally, you need to think about your baby’s age. A baby should NEVER sleep in the same bed as somebody else, because it could be fatal.
However, it’s a good idea that they sleep in the same ROOM as the parents, and bassinets are perfect for facilitating this.
With that being said, experience and research suggests that the baby should only room share for the first six months, then be moved to their own room.
This can coincide with moving them out of a bassinet and into a crib, too, since six months is a typical time to make that transition.
Stopping room sharing at this point proves better, especially for the parents. After all, room sharing for longer can wear the parents down with sleepless nights, and worn-down parents won’t make for the best or safest raising of the baby.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why Do People Use A Bassinet Before A Crib?
Bassinets are smaller than cribs, which is one of the reasons that people use them before cribs. Since they’re smaller, they’re more portable. On top of that, the sides are lower, making it easier to reach the baby.
Are Bassinets Necessary?
Bassinets aren’t actually necessary, but they’re a better size for the first few months of a newborn than a crib would be.
Final Thoughts
How long a baby sleeps in their bassinet depends on various factors, but generally-speaking it’s about 4-6 months. Don’t exceed the 6 month mark.
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Michelle Jacobs
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