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How to Get Newborn to Sleep in Bassinet? (9 Easy Ways)

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If you’re a first-time parent, you may find that the newborn stage is difficult, especially getting your kid to sleep correctly. Seeing your baby sleeping is perhaps the happiest moment. Parents must ensure that their newborns have a secure and peaceful resting environment to enjoy this pleasant hour.

You may always want to keep your child sleeping with you in the same bed. Yet, specialists advise you to leave him in the same room but in a different bed. A bassinet will be helpful in this case. It can be beneficial for putting your infant to sleep while it lowers the risk of SIDS.

Nevertheless, getting a newborn to sleep in a bassinet might be challenging because it can become cranky. This article will explain why your newborn refuses to sleep in its bassinet and show tips for making this challenge more manageable.

Let’s get started!

Why Won’t Your Baby Sleep In The Bassinet?

It may be mentally and physically exhausting when your baby prefers to sleep in your arms and refuses to stay in a bassinet.

There are various reasons why your newborn doesn’t want to sleep in a bassinet. Below are the most common causes to consider if this situation happens:

1. Temperature

Until the age of 12 months, babies cannot control their body temperature efficiently. Among the leading causes of sleepless nights is being too cold or hot. Thus, check the temperature of both the infant and the room.

You probably already know this, but let’s go over it again. The temperature in your room should be between 68° and 72°F (20° to 22.2°C).

2. Overtired

Some mothers are unaware that newborns have awake intervals that assist parents in determining when they should be sleeping. Even first-time mothers can misinterpret signals of weariness for hunger and nursing their infants.

Furthermore, many families have an excessively late bedtime or nap, so the babies will refuse when their parents attempt to put them inside the bassinet.

A build-up of stress hormone or cortisol might make it difficult for your baby to rest or lead them to get up earlier if they’ve been up for excessively long before falling asleep. For this reason, it’s usually not a good idea to attempt to put your baby in the bassinet if he is overtired.

3. Uncomfortable

Some newborns struggle more than others to sleep in their mom’s arms. They may seek comfort as they are not comfortable when sleeping in their bassinet.

Perhaps your baby is suffering from some discomfort, but you may overlook that. Below are some of the issues he may deal with:

  • Reflux occurs when your baby vomits or comes up with breast milk during or immediately after a meal. Reflux may be worse when your baby is on his back.
  • After feeding, parents frequently hold the infant straight in their arms.
  • The digestive tract is gas-sensitive.
  • Mom has poor milk production, and the baby has tongue-tie and latch issues.
  • Your baby is too big for the bassinet.

baby sleeping in bassinet on sheet

4. Habit

Another reason for newborns refusing to stay in their bassinet is their sleeping habits. Newborns with reflux often need to be held more than other babies. In this case, they get used to sleeping in their mom’s arms.

If your newborn is familiar with resting on your chest, he may awaken when placed in the bassinet. He transitions from your warm, comfortable chest with a calming heart rate to a cold bassinet sheet on a firm surface.

5. Noise

When your newborn is experiencing a light sleep phase, sudden loud noises like a doorbell or a dog barking might stir his feeling up.

Thus, your child will be awakened and fussy if he isn’t sleeping in your arms.

6. Hungry

Your newborn with a small stomach is always hungry as he feels empty quickly after each meal. You may discover that your newborn prefers to nurse rather than sleep, particularly during phases of development and feeding.

If your newborn is hungry, he may calm down or only nap for a brief period before waking up.

SNOO Smart Bassinet

Tips for Getting Your Newborn To Sleep In Their Bassinet

Below are the easily applicable ways for gradually teaching your baby to sleep in his bassinet over the first several weeks:

1. Have A Steady Routine

One of the most important factors to remember is to have a steady nighttime routine. If your infant does not fall asleep at a specific time or is unaware it’s time to sleep, he may get irritable.

Make a steady bedtime routine for your infant. When you let him do a repeated sequence of activities, he recognizes that it is time to go to bed.

Before placing your baby in his bassinet, it’s best to give him a warm shower, a gentle massage, and breastfeed him. When you let your baby follow these routines, he will be ready for the next time.

Don’t move your baby’s bassinet around too much. He is more attuned to the surroundings of the womb or your warmth.

2. Place The Bassinet Close to Your Bed

Begin training your baby to stay in a bassinet by positioning the bassinet directly beside your bed so that he will feel your warmth. He will also be aware that his mother is nearby, so he has nothing to fear.

Keeping the bassinet close to the bed will be convenient for cuddling when your baby suddenly wakes up or breastfeeding when he needs it. According to a study, breastfeeding, whether exclusive or any, reduces the risk of SIDS by almost 50%.

3. Put Your Baby Down Awake

Typically, mothers hold their babies in their laps until they fall asleep. They place the baby in a bassinet as soon as he falls asleep. However, this method irritates and awakens sleeping babies. It’s a common blunder that you should avoid at all costs.

Experts recommend placing your baby in his bassinet when he’s slightly awake.

If your newborn is asleep or somewhat awake after swaddling him, place him in his bassinet. This way, he’s aware that he is being moved to a new environment so that he won’t resist much.

co-sleeping bedside

4. Make Sure It’s Not Reflux Or Gas Causing The Problem

If your newborn spits up, it’s a sign of infant reflux, which happens when food flows back up slowly from the stomach. Reflux isn’t usually a reason for concern as it can improve itself.

If your newborn has reflux, you shouldn’t need to consult a doctor as long as he is healthy, happy, and growing well.

Reflux can be one of the reasons causing your newborn to be fussy when sleeping in the bassinet. Yet, burping won’t be enough to make your baby feel better if he has reflux or gas.

Try standing him up while awake for around 15 to 25 minutes to check if it works. In addition, feed your baby more with small meals and limit sleep immediately after feeding.

5. Try White Noise

White noise is a term that describes noises used to hide other sounds which may exist in nature in a given setting. White noise, for instance, can assist filter out vehicle noises if you are living in a metropolis.

Certain sounds could be utilized to promote sleep regardless of surrounding noises, like soothing beach or rainforest sounds.

There are also devices built explicitly for infants. Most have instrumental melodies or sounds that mimic the mother’s heartbeat.

Having white noise playing in the environment, infants may feel sleepy more quickly. Furthermore, it can drown out background noise, such as older siblings.

6. Adjust The Temperature

As shared earlier, the temperature in your bedroom may affect your baby’s sleep. If he feels too cold or too hot, he may get irritated.

The best temperature for a baby’s room should be between 68° and 72°F. You can use a non-contact thermometer to check and adjust the room temperature to a suitable level with a no-sound cooler or heater.

Chicco Close to You 3-in-1 Bedside Bassinet

7. Check The Light

Your child will go to sleep quickly in a darker environment. Blackout curtains may be helpful during the day.

Instead of using overhead lights, investing in muted night lights is a good idea.

8. Swaddle Him

Among the most successful methods to make babies sleep in their bassinet is to swaddle them. Swaddling your newborn can significantly assist if he is often startled since it makes your baby feel safe and protected.

The startle response happens when a newborn becomes aware of environmental changes. For example, any variation in light, sound, or touch might cause those alterations.

Besides, swaddling simulates the womb’s warmth and helps to soothe babies with colic. If you swaddle your baby, you are restricting their mobility and assisting them in getting to sleep. However, there’re risks you should watch out for, such as swaddling too tight, overheating, and suffocating when your baby can roll over.

9. Get A Bassinet with Multi-level Vibration

Scientists have shown that vibration is good for babies, especially premature ones. Mild vibration recreates the space like in the womb, making newborns extremely comfortable. So, if you still don’t own a bassinet or find your existing one uncomfortable, invest in a bassinet with multiple levels of vibration.

Wrapping Up

There are many causes why a newborn doesn’t like to sleep in a bassinet. If your baby is fussy, you can swaddle him, check the room’s light and temperature, try white noise, or even get a vibrating bassinet.

Most importantly, you should build a steady sleeping routine and place the bassinet next to your bed so he can feel your warmth.

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