How To Get Baby To Sleep In Bassinet

Newborn spend a large amount of time napping, and it may be quite distressing when they refuse to sleep in a bassinet. You may enjoy infant snuggles at first as a new mother, but after a while, you'll need some hands-free time to take care of everything else in your life!

In this post, I'll go over why it's so crucial to get your baby to sleep in a bassinet, why they might be having trouble sleeping in their bassinet, and what you can do about it.

Why putting your baby to sleep in a bassinet is so vital?

Safety. Bassinets are the safest location for your newborn baby to sleep since they are constructed with safety in mind, reducing the danger of sudden infant death syndrome. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends that infants sleep on their backs on a hard mattress with no pillows, blankets, bumper pads, or soft things. Bassinets often feature permeable sides and a firm, flat mattress that fulfills safety regulations, ensuring your baby sleeps pleasantly and safely. Having your infant sleep in a secure sleeping environment, such as a how to get baby to sleep in bassinet, minimizes the risk of SIDS, unintentional asphyxia, and injury.
Gradual transition into a crib.

Why doesn't your newborn baby sleep in the bassinet?

I cannot tell you how frequently I work with families whose newborns will only sleep in their parents' arms. Here's why this can occur:

The startle reflex

Newborns have a startle reaction, also known as the Moro reflex, which causes them to twitch their arms and awaken unexpectedly. This reflex is an evolutionary reaction that acted as a protective mechanism in the womb. When put in a bassinet, the open space and lack of confinement might elicit this reaction. This severely disrupts their sleep and makes it difficult for them to relax.

Need for security.

Babies are used to the comfortable and secure environment of the womb. They may struggle to adjust to a larger bassinet. They may want the intimacy and comfort they experienced in the womb, resulting in restlessness and difficulties relaxing into the bassinet.

Overtiredness

Newborn newborns have relatively small wake windows and can only stay up for a brief length of time before becoming exhausted and falling back asleep. If they stay awake for too long and get overtired, it will be much more difficult for them to calm down and sleep.

Discomfort

If your child suffers from acid reflux or gas, lying on a flat surface will be difficult for him. This makes napping in a bassinet more difficult for a younger infant.

Habit

Babies quickly build links between specific acts or settings and falling asleep. If a newborn often falls asleep while being held in its parents' arms, they may form a strong link between being held and falling asleep. As a result, being placed in the bassinet will feel unfamiliar to them since it lacks the familiar sense of being held. This will most likely prompt them to oppose and protest the bassinet.

How do you persuade your newborn infant to sleep in their bassinet?

It may be quite difficult and tiresome to have a newborn infant that would only sleep in your arms. You like snuggling with your darling infant, but you also need to rest! Here are some helpful strategies for getting your baby to sleep in their bassinet.

Maximise your baby's midday feedings.

It is critical that your newborn infant eats healthily throughout the day in order to sleep well in the bassinet at night. Newborns have tiny stomachs and need regular feedings to achieve their dietary requirements.

When a baby does not eat enough throughout the day, they may get hungrier and more agitated in the middle of the night. This might result in more frequent night feedings and trouble relaxing into the bassinet. A well-fed infant is more likely to be pleased and comfortable, allowing for longer and more peaceful periods of sleep in their bassinet.

To optimize your newborn's daytime feeding, feed your infant on demand throughout the day rather than following a fixed schedule. Look for early indicators of hunger, such as rooting or sucking motions. Initiate meals right away to keep your infant from getting fussy and irritated.

Why won't your newborn sleep in a bassinet?

If your baby refuses to sleep in their bassinet, remember that you are not alone; many parents have difficulty training their newborn infant to sleep independently in a bassinet.

Here are a few reasons why your infant might not want to sleep in a bassinet.

1. They are not comfy.
2. The infant suffers reflux.
3. Your infant is too exhausted.
4. Your baby's startle response has woken them up.
5. Your baby prefers to be held

3 Methods to get your infant to sleep in a bassinet.

We acknowledge that getting a baby to sleep in a bassinet may be difficult—some newborns simply want to be near to you, no matter what!

It may take some time, but here are a few tips to how to get baby to sleep in bassinet.

1. Don’t give up

Just like with fussy eating in toddlerhood, you may need to expose your infant to a bassinet numerous times before they "accept" it.

That means you shouldn't give up hope if your infant rejects the bassinet and wakes up the moment you try to set them down in it. So, remember the old adage: if at first you don't succeed, try again.

2. Stay constant with the bassinet.

It's also crucial to maintain your baby's sleep constant wherever possible, so use the same bassinet for naps and nighttime to help them link it with sleep.

3. Check your bassinet's weight restrictions.

My first baby refused to sleep in the gorgeous bassinet we were given at my baby shower.

I tried and tried to get her to sleep in it, but I finally gave up and took her to her cot, where she slept well for the first time in weeks.

It turned out that the bassinet had a fragile cardboard support underneath the small mattress, and she was just not comfortable. Every baby is unique, so check your bassinet's suggested weight restrictions, and if your baby is on the bigger side, consider relocating them to a larger sleeping place.