When can I move my baby from bassinet to crib?
Babies
sleep between 12 and 16 hours a day. These are two daytime naps and a longer
period of nighttime sleep. With all this sleep, many parents notice that their
baby is too big for their bassinet and wonder when is the right time to move
their baby from sleeping in the same room with them to sleeping in a crib in
their own room.
The
answer depends on your baby. Before you and your baby make this change, there
are a few steps to consider.
Baby milestones to consider
Most
babies start sleeping through the night between the ages of 4 and 6 months. At
this age, they can go through the night without food, and you begin to enjoy
longer periods of uninterrupted sleep. At this stage, your baby is also growing
rapidly and may start to outgrow their crib.
There
are no guidelines to tell you exactly when to move your baby to a crib, but
there are several ways to know if your baby is ready to make the transition:
- Your baby's age. At six months, most parents say
their baby is too big for their first bed. Some children grow faster than
others and you may find that their legs are getting longer every day. At this
age, it is usually acceptable to make the transition.
- Movements of your baby during the night. Watch how much your baby moves at
night. If they change position and turn, it's time to move them. A space too
small for your baby, such as a crib, can be dangerous for an adventurous
sleeper, as they can choke on the edge of their small bed.
- Your baby's weight. Your current crib probably has a
weight limit printed somewhere, or you can check it on the manufacturer's
website. Follow the instructions on the crib to see if it is safe for your baby
to continue sleeping at her current weight.
- Your current night's sleep. How long can you sleep when
sleeping with a baby next to you? Do you or your partner wake up every few
hours when the baby is fussing? Or are you getting the right amount of sleep
you need? Ask yourself these questions when deciding whether it's time to put
your baby to bed.
Go easy on yourself
Parents
are often surprised at their own reactions when it comes to changing their baby's
bed. They are used to having their baby by their side when they start to fuss,
and the transition can be emotional. Your baby is growing.
For
safety reasons, it is recommended that you sleep in the same room as your baby
for at least the first 6 months until the baby's first birthday. But that
doesn't mean you can't get them out of the crib.
These
tips can help you calm down and ease the transition from cradle to cradle:
- Ease your baby into the crib. Let your baby take a nap in the
crib. Then let them play in their new crib. Start small and light and let your
baby get used to the bassinet step by step.
- Put a crib in your room. This can make the change a little
easier for parents. If you are used to having your baby in your room, try
setting up a crib in your room before moving your baby to another room. If your
room is too small, try setting up a bed in the nursery so you can be close to
your baby when he falls asleep.
- Make your baby feel safe. Use the same sheets in the crib
as in the crib. The familiar scent will help your baby relax and fall asleep.
Good swaddling can also help your baby relax, but don't do this if he changes
positions at night. It may be dangerous.
- Make sure the crib is safe. Use a firm mattress and sheet
inside the crib and do not put extra pillows, blankets or bedding inside. They pose a choking hazard to your baby.
- Use a baby monitor. When your baby is sleeping in the
crib, you may want to see and hear him at night for your own peace of mind.
There are also baby monitoring apps. They usually require two devices to work,
such as a tablet and a phone.
- Keep the routine. Routines are very reassuring for kids because they know what to expect every day. Continue their bedtime ritual as usual. Don't try to change his sleeping location if there's an upcoming event that will affect his sleep schedule, such as a family vacation.