Whether it’s midday or late at night, there’s nothing sweeter than a sleeping baby. But what will you do if your baby doesn’t sleep in the cradle? No matter what you do, it’s so frustrating that your baby can’t sleep in the cradle! Let’s take a look at some of the reasons why tbaby won’t sleep in bassinet and what to do if baby won’t sleep in bassinet.
Why Putting Baby to Sleep in a Bassinet
Safe sleep. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, your baby should sleep on a firm, flat surface, such as a bassinet, crib, or a packed play area. This Safe Sleep Guide Helps Minimize the Risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS)
Long game. When it comes to sleeping with your newborn, we often don’t know what we’re doing. We love our precious little one so much that we advocate hold sleep. However, when it comes to baby sleep, you have to think about your long-term game. When your baby is 8 months old, where do you want her to sleep? Ultimately, she needs to be contained in a safe sleeping environment. This means introducing this environment as preferences and habits are formed.
Why Baby Won’t Sleep In The Bassinet
If you find that your baby is not sleeping well in the bassinet, there may be a number of reasons:
Your child is hungry. The small stomach quickly empties and needs to be replenished. Especially during the growing season and intensive feeding, you may find that your baby wants to feed rather than sleep.
Your baby is angry. When little ones need to burp or refuel, they have a hard time staying asleep.
Your baby’s diaper is dirty. Like gas in the stomach, babies have a hard time falling and staying asleep if they’re not feeling well.
Your baby is too hot or too cold. Check your baby to make sure they are not sweating or shaking. Best if their room is between 68 and 72°F (20 and 22°C).
Your baby doesn’t know if it’s day or night. Some babies have trouble telling the difference between day and night. By turning on the lights during the day, slightly extending waking hours during the day, and introducing a bedtime sleep routine, you can help train their internal clock.
Your baby’s startle reflex is waking them up. Swaddling is a great option for babies, but be aware that it’s no longer safe when your baby learns to roll.
How To Get Babys Sleep In Bassinet?
You’ve spent months researching cribs, cots, and bassinets; handpicking an appropriate one for your beloved baby, but your baby apparently didn’t get the memo because they’re not interested in sleeping in it! Once you’re sure everything is set up to give your baby the best chance to settle down and get a good night’s sleep, you can start getting them used to sleeping in the crib:
- Make sure the room temperature is ideal, 16-20 degrees Celsius is the best temperature for a baby’s room.
- Dress your baby in room temperature clothes. A room thermometer can help you figure out how to dress them to sleep.
- If your baby isn’t rolling, consider swaddling them to help recreate the intimacy you get from the womb. Swaddles also help suppress the startle reflex, which means they’re less likely to wake up.
- Before you start getting your baby ready for bed, change their diaper.
- Feed and wind your baby to make sure your baby is well fed and comfortable. Wind pain tends to be worse when lying down.
- If your baby is having reflux, keep them upright for 20-30 minutes after feedings and then put them to sleep.
- Put your baby to sleep in a dark room with white noise. White noise mimics the noise babies hear in the womb, so it’s very comfortable and also helps babies sleep by drowning out background noise.
- Try letting your baby sleep in their cradle instead of on top of you. Babies are more likely to wake up when they’re put in their cradle, so if you can put them down first and then put them to sleep, they’re less likely to wake up.
- Make sure they have the proper amount of wake time between naps so they’re not too tired or overworked. Babies need a delicate balance of naps and wake times during the day. Our little one app will help guess how long your baby should be awake between naps.
Tips If Your Baby Still Won’t Sleep In Bassinet
You’ve tried everything we’ve mentioned here, but your newborn still doesn’t want to sleep in the crib? !
It happened! If your baby is used to sleeping on top of you or in your arms, it will take a while for them to get used to sleeping in the bassinet.
So here are some tips and tricks to help me gradually teach my baby to sleep in her cradle in the first few weeks:
1. Warm the bassinet with a thermos or small beans before putting your baby down. If your baby falls asleep on you, a change in temperature may cause them to wake up. A heated mattress can help them fall asleep. Before you put your baby down, remember to remove the thermos and check if it’s too hot.
2. If your baby falls asleep on you, wait 10-15 minutes until they sleep deeper before putting them in the bassinet. If your baby has just fallen asleep, they will most likely wake up when you move them.
3. Put the baby in the cradle, feet first, not head first. Putting their head down will wake them up because they feel like they are falling. (You know how it feels when you just fall asleep, only to jump up and wake up again!)
4. Sleep with your baby’s sheets for a few nights to make it smell like you. Newborns have a highly developed sense of smell. When they were born, they couldn’t recognize you visually, but they knew your scent. Your scent makes them feel good and makes them feel like you’re nearby.
5. Put your baby in the cradle when needed during the day. It’s hard to give yourself a minute if your baby wants to be with you a lot. But your needs also matter! So if you need to use the bathroom, prepare drinks or food for yourself, or brush your teeth, the bassinet is a safe space to put your baby in while you do so. Spending a short time in the bassinet while your baby is awake will help your baby become more familiar with the space and may help them settle better in the bassinet while they sleep.
Try to remember that your newborn is still adjusting to the huge new world around them! They’ve slept with you for 9 months, so it may take them a while to figure out how to sleep in a bassinet without you – but both of you will.
Takeaway
Getting your baby to sleep in the safest possible environment is important for everyone in the family. While it may not be possible to wave a wand or sprinkle some sleep dust to quickly get them to sleep in their cradle, there are a few things you can do to help them sleep soundly.
If you find yourself frustrated with your child, remember that it’s okay to take a few minutes away to cheer yourself up. Fear not, also seek additional advice and support from sleep support groups for new parents in your community.
Remember: this too will pass. Sleep disturbances are common but always temporary. Give yourself and your baby some grace as you navigate your new life together. Soon, you two will be able to sleep again
