Getting a baby to sleep in their own bed isn’t always an easy thing. As a new parent, you might be used to having them fall asleep in your arms. But teaching them to sleep in their bassinet is an important step. When they can self-soothe and drift off by themselves, it means better rest for the whole family.
However, listening to your little one cry when you put them down can break any parent’s heart. You might not know whether to let them cry it out a bit or respond right away. Figuring out what works best is tricky.
The good news is with time and consistency, your baby can learn how to sleep in their bassinet. Things like swaddling, white noise and checking on them calmly can help them get used to settling on their own. With patience and understanding, you can set up good sleeping habits to ensure everyone gets some much-needed rest.
Importance of getting your baby to sleep in a bassinet
Getting your baby to sleep in their bed is important. It lets them learn to self-soothe and settle on their own. This teaches good habits that set them up for better sleep in the long run. It also gives parents some more freedom and makes things like traveling easier when the baby can sleep in a portable bed.
Having your baby sleep separately promotes safety too. Bassinets are designed to create the safest sleeping environment possible. Sleeping next to parents increases the risk of suffocation or overheating. So a separate sleep space reduces the chances of dangerous situations.
What if your newborn baby can’t fall asleep independently?
It’s completely normal if your days-old newborn cannot put themselves to sleep. Self-soothing is a skill that babies develop over weeks and months. For now, you may need to continue providing motion, sound, and comfort to help the baby sleep. This builds trust and meets their needs.
If after the first months, your baby still struggles with independent sleep, including a breastfeeding session during the sleep training process can be beneficial. Have patience as every child progresses differently. Work closely with your pediatrician to address any issues like reflux or allergies that could be interfering with sleep. Stick to calming routines and provide support. In time, with maturity, and incorporating strategies such as sleep training for a breastfed baby, your little one will learn vital self-settling skills.
Why Your Newborn Won’t Sleep in Their Bassinet?
Here are some reasons why Newborn Won’t Sleep in Their Bassinet:
They Prefer Snug Environments
Newborns are used to tight, cozy quarters from spending nine months in the womb. When you place them in a large, open bassinet, they can feel startled by all that space. They want something more womb-like.
They Miss Your Warmth and Touch
Being held skin-to-skin reminds infants of the comforting contact they experienced 24/7 in the uterus. Your heartbeat, smell, temperature and cuddles made them feel safe. The flat firm mattress and lack of touch in a lonely bassinet represents a shocking change.
They Have Trouble Self-Soothing
Newborns haven’t developed the skills to calm themselves to sleep. Without your rocking, shushing, swinging or sucking on a pacifier, they struggle to settle independently in an overwhelming new environment. Their cries communicate their needs.
How Can I Get My Baby To Sleep In Their Bassinet?
Here are some of the tips to get your baby or twin babies to sleep in a bassinet
Gradual Transitions
Start by having a baby nap in the bassinet for short periods, then work up to longer stretches at night. Going from your arms straight to all-night bassinet sleeping may be too abrupt.
Warmth and White Noise
Wrapping the baby snugly in a swaddle blanket mimics the tight quarters of the womb. Using a sound machine mimics noises babies hear inside mom. Both can help them feel more secure.
Patiently Respond to Crying
When a baby cries in the bassinet, resist immediately picking them up. Instead, wait a few minutes, offer soothing touches, then put them back down while drowsy but awake so they can learn to self-settle.
Routine and Perseverance
Consistency with a bedtime routine helps signal sleep time. Stick with the same steps around the same time each evening. Persevering through the tears and not reverting to unsafe sleeping habits is critical. With time and maturity, your baby will successfully sleep in their bassinet.
Tips and tricks if your newborn won’t sleep in their bassinet
If after trying different techniques your newborn still refuses to sleep in their bassinet, don’t lose hope. Recreating the snugness and sounds from the womb can help the transition. Try a cozy nest made with rolled up blankets or a sling bassinet that keeps baby curled up. Adding familiar smells or your tshirt nearby is comforting too. Stay consistent with routines so baby learns what to expect. Be patient and keep at it – some babies just need a little more time to adapt.
If you’re totally exhausted, take shifts with your partner so you can still safely cosleep part-time. When you reach a breaking point, placing baby in their crib for 15 minutes is better than accidentally falling asleep with them on the couch. Don’t be afraid to ask friends and family for more assistance during this stage too.
Why is my newborn struggling with where they sleep?
Newborns are used to the perfectly temperature-controlled environment of the womb – instead now they have start regulating their own body temperature which is a struggle. Some babies even occasionally miss that snug feeling and have a hard time sleeping stretched out.
Babies also rely on physical touch to feel secure. The lack of skin contact in the open bassinet can make them uneasy without mom or dad’s arms around them. An infant’s senses are still developing too – the silence of a quiet room can feel disturbing compared to the noises they heard inside the womb. It’s a period of huge change and overstimulation, so difficulty settling is very normal and improves over time.
FAQ’s
Is it normal for babies to not want to sleep in a bassinet?
Yes, it’s completely normal for newborns to resist sleeping in a bassinet at first.
Why does my baby cry as soon as I put him in the bassinet?
Babies cry when put in the bassinet because they miss the warm, snug environment of the womb and their parent’s touch.
Which sleep training method is right for your baby?
The right sleep training method depends on your baby’s needs – some respond well to cry it out while others need more gentle guidance.
How do I get my newborn to sleep?
Get your newborn to sleep by recreating a womb-like environment with a snug swaddle, white noise, and soothing motions.
How do I transfer my baby to a bassinet?
Transfer your baby to the bassinet when they are sleepy but still awake so they can learn to fall asleep independently.
Conclusion
Getting your newborn to sleep in their own bed is really important, but it can be challenging. When they can put themselves to sleep in the bassinet, babies learn skills that help them sleep better in the long run. The bassinet also keeps them safe from any risks of rolling over or suffocation. And having a portable bed makes things easier for parents to travel.
It’s completely normal if your baby resists the bassinet at first. Getting used to sleeping alone is a big adjustment after 9 months curled up in your womb! Have patience and try things like tight swaddling, white noise or swinging to help them transition. Respond to their cries calmly. Over time and with consistency in routines, your newborn will get better at self-settling in the bassinet to sleep. Don’t hesitate to ask your pediatrician for more guidance too. The most important thing is preserving your bond while prioritizing health and safety.
