These days, baby sleep choices seem to be limitless. Bassinets, cribs, swings, and co-sleepers can exist in various forms and sizes. Many parents choose to put their babies to sleep in a bassinet. It’s a practical choice owing to its size and portability. Infants might feel protected and comfortable while sleeping in it.
You’ll notice that as babies get older, their bassinet becomes too small for them one day. So, when is a baby too big for a bassinet?
A bassinet is designed exclusively for newborns from birth to six months when they weigh between 10 and 25 pounds. When your child’s weight exceeds these numbers, it’s time to transfer him to a crib.
Preparing for a baby’s birth may be stressful and confusing. So learning as much as you can about the issue will help you feel more at ease. Let’s look at some additional details to know when your baby outgrows the bassinet. After that, you will know what to do when your child is too big for that place.
How To Know When Your Baby Outgrows The Bassinet?
If the bassinet can only accommodate newborns up to 20 pounds and your child has outgrown it, it’s time to shift. However, there are some less apparent indications to watch out for.
- Is he fussing when you lay him down?
- Does he ever wake up sobbing while he’s supposed to be sleeping?
- Is he pressed against the top or bottom of the bassinet?
These signs might indicate that your child has outgrown the bassinet and is ready to move on. Let’s discuss the details of these signs.
1. Need More Room
Be aware that your baby may be the one to signal that it’s time to move from the bassinet to the crib.
Is the bassinet big enough for your baby? Does he have enough room between his head, feet, and the bassinet walls?
When your newborn is about to become three months old, he still fits in the bassinet with approximately 1-2″ space on either end.
But, he would wake up and start weeping in any of the scenarios. It is also a sign that you need to move him.
2. Over The Weight Limit
Every manufacturer recommends the maximum weight that a bassinet can support. Check to determine whether your bassinet has a weight restriction and what that limit is.
Bassinets can typically handle newborns weighing between 10 and 20 pounds. But once your child reaches 15 pounds, it’s time to start looking for alternative sleeping arrangements. That is because most newborns are too big for a bassinet by the time they get the weight restriction.
If you decide to move your child from the bassinet, make sure their new resting environment is as secure as possible. Your baby should sleep on a firm, flatted mattress without any cushions, whether in a crib, co-sleeper, or bed.
You can check out some popular bassinet models’ sizes and weight limits below.
| Bassinet Model | Dimensions (L x W x H) |
Age Limit | Weight Limit |
|---|---|---|---|
| HALO BassiNest Premiere Series | 45″ x 45″ x 34″ | 5 months | 20 lbs |
| HALO Flex | 40″ x 29″ x 42″ | 5 months | 20 lbs |
| HALO Bassinet 3.0 | 47″ x 47″ x 44″ | 5 months | 20 lbs |
| Dream On Me Karley | 34″ x 19″ x 37″ | 4 months | 25 lbs |
| SNOO Smart Sleeper | 36″ x 19″ x 32″ | 6 months | 25 lbs |
| 4moms mamaRoo Sleep Bassinet | 29″ x 24″ x 39″ | 4 months | 25 lbs |
| Graco Sense2Snooze | 26″ x 19″ x 41″ | 4 months | 20 lbs |
| Graco DreamMore | 38″ x 26″ x 44″ | 5 months | 20 lbs |
| Fisher Price Luminate | 36″ x 22″ x 32″ | 4 months | 20 lbs |
| Maxi-Cosi Iora Bassinet | 37″ x 22″ x 29″ | 6 months | 20 lbs |
| Chicco Close to You 3-in-1 | 34″ x 28″ x 46″ | 4 months | 20 lbs |
| Chicco LullaGo Anywhere | 30″ x 18″ x 28″ | 5 months | 20 lbs |
| AMKE 3 in 1 Baby Bassinet | 37″ x 23″ x 32″ | 5 months | 20 lbs |
| Ingenuity Dream & Grow | 35″ x 27″ x 34″ | 12 months | 25 lbs |
| MiClassic All Mesh Foldable | 37″ x 24″ x 28″ | 5 months | 33 lbs |
3. Movement Milestones
When newborns reach specific developmental milestones, it’s no longer safe to remain in a bassinet. Once your baby can roll over on his own, he should no longer be sleeping in that bassinet.
You should know it’s time to transit him out of the bassinet and into a crib. Because of the taller walls, cribs provide excellent safety.
4. Hate Their Bassinet
While it may seem that your baby has plenty of space, it may feel claustrophobic. If this occurs, your baby will be fussy in their bassinet.
They may scream as you put them down. They may also wake up in the middle of the night and have difficulty getting back asleep.
At this point, you should move your baby to a large area to make him feel more comfortable. You can do a test by trying to put your baby down on your bed, where there is more space, if he doesn’t cry anymore then he doesn’t like its cramped bassinet.
5. Baby Age
A bassinet is only suitable for newborns. If your baby is no longer a newborn, they are probably about to outgrow the bassinet.
Around the 4-month point, most parents place their kids in a crib. It’s also the period when newborns begin to move and need more space.
What to Do When Your Baby Is Too Big for The Bassinet?
You can do anything to make your baby’s sleep comfortable and protect him from SIDS. Here are a few suggestions:
Transition Your Baby To a Crib From The Bassinet
Some infants will be ready to move from a bassinet to a crib sooner than others. If your infant begins to fuss and pounds the sides of their bassinet, it’s time to relocate them to a larger space.
You may be hesitant to attempt a new approach out of fear of disrupting your baby’s sleeping routines.
Begin by letting them sleep in their new bed for a few hours throughout the day. That way will allow them time to adjust to their new sleeping surroundings.
Bumper pads and stuffed animals are attractive, but it’s critical to remember sleep safety. You should avoid placing anything fluffy in their bedding.
What To Use If Your Baby Isn’t Ready For a Crib?
If your baby isn’t ready for the new crib, what other choices do you have? You may look for something similar to a pack n play and a mini crib.
Pack n Play
A Pack n Play is like a portable crib and play area for babies and toddlers. You may use it for nap time at home, traveling, and camping.
Most Pack n Plays come with a full-size bassinet attachment that you can connect to the top of the unit. As a result, you may utilize them instead of a traditional baby bassinet from day one.
Using a Pack n Play instead of a traditional bassinet can save you some money. It is less expensive, and your baby will be able to use it for four years.
Mini Crib
As explained, a mini crib is a scaled-down version of a regular crib. A mini crib is 24 inches wide by 36 inches long, while a regular crib measures 28 inches wide by 52 inches long.
One of the most obvious reasons to use a mini crib is to save room, but there are many other advantages to using one for your infant.
Moving Is Easier: Because it’s lightweight, a smaller crib is much simpler to transport than a regular crib.
Perfect for Smaller Spaces: A small crib can be precisely what you need if you have to set up your baby’s sleep in the corner of your bedroom or office.
Newborns Will Love It: A standard-sized crib may be too much room for your new baby and overwhelm them. A mini crib gives your infant the feeling of being in the womb, and he will love it.
Conclusion
It would be more effective for you to know when a baby outgrows a bassinet before purchasing one. You will be able to make a more informed choice in the long run.
There is no definitive answer to the issue because it depends on each different case. You should be able to figure out everything on your own if you keep tracking your child’s weight, behavior, and activity.
No matter what you choose, make sure they receive enough sleep for their age. We hope that this article has assisted you in determining your future steps.
