A Parent’s Guide to Knowing When Baby Has Outgrown the Bassinet
This is a collaborative post
Several milestones happen in your baby’s life, and each one can feel harrowing to go through because you realise that chapter of their life and yours is complete.
From their first words to them crawling to walking, they’re all important milestones to cherish and celebrate. You may remember the first time they went into their bassinet for the first time, and now they’re ready to move to a crib.
But how do you know? As a first-time parent, knowing the signs that your baby is ready to transition from bassinet to crib is important. You don’t want to do it too early or too late, and as every child is different, there’s no definitive answer on when is best for your baby.
With that in mind, this parent’s guide will help you to identify the signs and make the transition to their grown-up bed a breeze.
Top signs it’s time to move from the bassinet
When do babies outgrow their bassinet? As a major milestone you want to get right, here are some of the tell-tale signs that it’s time to move your baby from the bassinet to a crib.
Reaching the weight limit
Every bassinet will have a specific weight capacity, which is usually between ten to twenty pounds.
It’s therefore useful to check your manual, and once they hit that number, the bassinet itself will no longer be considered safe. Even if you don’t feel your baby is ready, they might have to be if they exceed the weight of the bassinet earlier than expected.
Alternatively, you could find another bassinet that supports a heavier weight, even if it’s something you only use temporarily before transitioning them over to the crib.
Rolling or pushing up
As soon as your baby can roll over or push up onto their hands and knees, this ends up putting them at risk. They could ultimately tip the bassinet or fall out of it.
It’s one of the most critical safety signs and one you should be attentive to. As soon as they start doing it, that’s your cue to move them into the crib.
Lack of space
As your baby grows, you’ll notice that the once big space your baby looked so small in is now filling up quickly. A lack of space can be apparent when the baby’s head or feet are frequently touching the ends of the bassinet.
They may also start to look visually cramped, which won’t help when you’re trying to ensure they sleep more comfortably and safely.
Sitting up
If your baby is sitting up independently, then they have officially outgrown the shallow walls of their bassinet.
Top tips for a smooth transition
For smoother transitions, here are some top tips to help ensure your baby adapts to moving from their bassinet to the crib.
- Start with naps
Put them in the crib for their daytime naps so that they can get used to the sleep space in a new environment.
- Keep the routine
When it comes to bedtime rituals, stick to them so that the only thing that changes is the bed they’re sleeping in.
Bedtime routines might be something as simple as a bath and a book in bed. For others, it might be more of a long-winded routine. Either way, stick to the status quo to minimise the amount of change your baby is experiencing.
- Stay close
If possible, make sure you’re staying close to them. Sometimes a baby might not be ready to go into their own room, so many parents will move the crib into their bedroom for the first few months.
How to help your baby sleep well in a crib
To help your baby sleep well in their new bed, a few useful tips will ensure they have the best opportunity at a good night’s rest.
Create a safe sleep environment
Babies should sleep alone, on their backs, and in a crib. It’s the ABC to remember when it comes to safe sleep environments.
Having them in your bed can create risks that you might want to avoid, and so the crib becomes their space and theirs alone.
When your baby still struggles to roll over, then it’s good to continue putting them on their back for as long as possible. Naturally, they’ll eventually go back and forth when they’re rolling, crawling, and walking.
When they’re in the crib, you should have a firm mattress underneath them, along with a tight-fitted sheet. Remove all pillows, any bumpers, or soft toys to reduce the risks of SIDS.
Put them down when they’re sleepy but still awake
A useful tip to try when it comes to helping them sleep better in the crib is to put them down when they’re drowsy/sleepy but still awake. Newborns will need to be fully asleep when transferring, but by the time they’re 3-6 months, and you’re placing them in the crib, do so when they’re sleepy.
This will help them to self-soothe and to learn to sleep on their own.
Master the wake windows
Wake windows are the periods between the times your baby is asleep. It’s worth observing your sleepy cues, such as staring off, rubbing your eyes, or slower movements.
If you’ve got a fairly structured sleep routine, then simply checking the time can often confirm the above cues. Mastering the wake windows helps you nail the naps more effectively, leading to a good rest each time.
Encourage comfort and familiarity
When putting your little one in the crib, make everything familiar to them that they have had near the bassinet. For example, sleep with the sheets you put on the crib first so that the smell is a familiar one when their head touches the mattress. The same mobile that you had on the bassinet to set them off to sleep.
Crib playtime
It’s good to let your baby play in the crib for around 5-10 minutes during the day, and to make sure it’s a familiar and happy place for them to be in.
It’s a major moment when they outgrow the bassinet, but with these tips, you’ll make it easier on them and on yourself.
