Getting your baby to sleep in a bassinet at night can be challenging. If your newborn won't settle or continues to cry while in their bassinet, you might be feeling frustrated and exhausted. In this article, we’ll explore common reasons why littles resist sleeping in bassinets and provide practical tips to help them get comfortable sleeping in their own space.

If you want to learn more, please visit our website defeng.

Reasons Your Baby Might Not Sleep in a Bassinet

It’s the middle of the night, and instead of sleeping, you find yourself wondering why your baby just won't settle in their bassinet. This is a common challenge parents face, and it often boils down to a few understandable reasons. Let’s dive into why your little one might be resisting their bassinet and explore ways you can help make it a more inviting place for them to sleep.

Why Newborns Might Refuse to Sleep in a Bassinet

Discomfort due to an unfamiliar environment

It's completely normal for newborns to feel a bit unsettled when they first start sleeping in a bassinet. They're used to the coziness and constant warmth of your arms, so this new space can seem daunting. Remember, they were snug inside you for nine months! But don’t worry—with patience and a few tricks, your baby can start to see their bassinet as a safe and comfy space for sleep.

Need for closeness and warmth

Babies love to feel close to you, feeling your warmth and hearing your heartbeat. Initially, a bassinet might not seem as cozy to them. A good tip is to use a bedside bassinet to keep your baby within arm’s reach of your bed. You might also consider tucking in a shirt you've worn close to them so your scent can help soothe them. It's like giving them a little piece of you even when you're not holding them.

Startle reflex disrupting sleep

That sudden flail your baby does sometimes? That’s the startle or Moro reflex, and it's very common. In the open space of a bassinet, your little one might feel uncontained and startle more often. Swaddling can work wonders here, offering them a snug embrace that mimics the tightness they felt in the womb. Try the HALO 3-way swaddle to help find a sleep preference that works for them (both arms in, 1 arm in, or both arms out).

Tips to Help Your Newborn Sleep in the Bassinet

If you're asking yourself what to do if your baby won't sleep in the bassinet, you're likely looking for practical and effective solutions. In the following sections, we offer you tips on how to get your baby to sleep in the bassinet at night, addressing common challenges and ensuring a smoother sleep transition for everyone involved.

Featuring HALO SleepSack Swaddle 100% Cotton in Baby Blue

Creating a Safe & Soothing Sleep Environment

Small things can make a big difference when it comes to newborn sleep. Here’s how you can help them feel more comfortable:

• Use a swaddle or sleep sack. Babies often sleep better when they feel secure. Swaddling mimics the coziness of the womb, while a snug sleep sack provides a similar comfort without the wrap. We love these HALO swaddles or aden + anais easy wrap swaddles.
• Maintain a consistent room temperature. To create a sleep-conducive environment, keep the nursery at a comfortable temperature, ideally between 68° and 72°F. Ensure you’ve layered their PJs and swaddle properly to not overheat—for more on layering, read all about SleepSack TOG levels here to find the right weight for your home's temperature.
• Use white noise. A little white noise can go a long way in mimicking the soothing sounds of the womb.

Establishing a Pre-Sleep Routine

Routine is your friend when it comes to bedtime.

• Develop a soothing bedtime routine. Whether it’s a warm bath, some gentle rocking, a soft lullaby, or a quiet story time, find what relaxes your baby and make it a consistent part of bedtime.
• Avoid stimulating activities before bedtime. Keep the hour before bedtime low-key. Avoid active play or loud sounds that might get your baby too excited.
• Ensure a calm and dark environment for sleep. A calm, dark environment with dim lights and minimal noise sets the perfect stage for sleep.

Need some help with a newborn sleep routine? Learn more here.

Tips to Help Your Newborn Sleep in the Bassinet Continued

Featuring HALO BassiNest Swivel Sleeper Luxe

Gradual Transition Techniques

If your baby doesn’t like the bassinet and cries whenever you put them there, there are ways to make the transition smoother.

• Start with naps in the bassinet. Let your baby get used to the bassinet during short naps throughout the day.
• Use gradual separation methods. Place the bassinet next to your bed, where your baby can still see and smell you. A bedside bassinet is perfect for this. Then, gradually move it farther away as your baby becomes more accustomed to it.
• Implement the pick-up, put-down technique. When your baby fusses, pick them up to soothe them, then put them down again once they're calm. This reassures your baby that the bassinet is a safe place.

Addressing Crying and Discomfort

Responding appropriately to your baby's needs can help them feel more secure in the bassinet. Here’s how to get your newborn to sleep in the bassinet instead of your arms.

• Respond to your baby's cries promptly. This builds trust and security. Your baby needs to know you're there for them, even if they're not in your arms.
• Check for hunger, discomfort, or other needs. Sometimes, a diaper change, feeding, or simple reassurance is all they need to settle down.
• Provide gentle reassurance and comfort. A gentle pat or soft shushing can sometimes help soothe a baby back to sleep without needing to pick them up.

Swaddle Alternatives and Sleep Aids

If swaddling isn’t an option or your baby doesn’t like it, consider other aids.

• Introduce sleep sacks or wearable blankets. These items offer the warmth and snugness of a swaddle without being wrapped.
• Use pacifiers or comforting objects. Pacifiers can help soothe your baby. Ensure any item in the bassinet meets safe sleep guidelines.

Conclusion

Establishing new sleep habits takes patience and persistence. It’s important to stay consistent with your methods and understand that your baby will need time to adjust to their bassinet. With ongoing support, your baby will learn to associate the bassinet with rest and comfort, paving the way for better sleep for the whole family.

For more information, please visit Hospital Bassinet.

For more detailed guidance on choosing the right bassinet and understanding its safety features, visit HALO Bedside Bassinets. Read about bassinet safety in "Are Bassinets Safe for Newborns?" or explore the differences between bassinets and cribs in "Bassinet vs. Crib: Which is Better for Your Newborn?"

Posting as  Cancel38.3K Discussions144K MembersThe views expressed in community are solely the opinions of participants, and do not reflect those of What to Expect. Learn more about our guidelines
Just so you know, What to Expect may make commissions on shopping links on this page.

Help me pick a bassinet!

LCM

Hi mamas!

FTM here and I need help picking a bassinet. Why does this seem like the most difficult decision ever?

I’m looking at 3 mostly but am open to other suggestions as well.

At first I was looking at the skip hop bassinet. I like the door that draws down, I like that it has wheels. My mom said she thought it looked janky - not even sure what she means by that because I thought the opposite lol.

Also looking at the Maxi Cosi Iora. I like that it can be brought for travel and easily stored.

Thought I’d also throw in the Halo bassinets since everyone always talks about them. Honestly I think these are the ones that look janky, not even confident I’d make use of the swivel feature. Figured it should be on this list and up for debate since it’s recommended so often though.

I appreciate any advice or experience!! Thanks :)

Like Reply Newest FirstOldest FirstWTE Must Reads Trending On What to Expect

• Moms Share Home Remedies for Pregnancy Morning Sickness
• 8 Expensive Products Moms Say are Worth the Money
• ⚠️ You can't see this cool content because you have ad block enabled.

  Please whitelist our site to get all the best deals and offers from our partners.

• 14 Moms on What Labor Really Feels Like
• What Are Your Go-To Healthy Snacks?
• Things They Don't Tell You About: Mom Edition
• Pregnancy Brain Moments? Let's Have a Laugh!

Welcome to the What to Expect communityCreate an account or log in to participate.Report as InappropriateEscalate to Moderator

We strive to provide you with a high quality community experience. We respect everyone’s right to express their thoughts and opinions as long as they remain respectful of other community members, and meet What to Expect’s Terms of Use.

If you feel a message or content violates these standards and would like to request its removal please submit the following information and our moderating team will respond shortly.

Please select a reason for escalating this post to the WTE moderators:

Violation Description Welcome to February Babies!

Connect with our community members by starting a discussion.

For more Pediatric Hospital Bedinformation, please contact us. We will provide professional answers.

• Introduce yourself
• Ask a question
• Share your experience
• Receive updates from this group

Permanently delete post?Your post will be hidden and deleted by moderators.Permanently delete post?Permanently delete post?Please specify a reason for deleting Help me pick a bassinet! from the community. Note that once you confirm, this action cannot be undone.Reasons for Deleting Permanently delete post?Permanently delete post?Your post will be hidden and deleted by moderators.Permanently delete post?Please specify a reason for deleting this reply from the community. Note that once you confirm, this action cannot be undone.Reasons for Deleting Who are the Group Leaders?A Group Leader is a What to Expect community member who has been selected by our staff to help maintain a positive, supportive tone within a group. Group Leaders communicate with staff moderators and escalate potential violations for review, but they don’t moderate discussions. Group Leaders aren’t expected to spend any additional time in the community, and are not held to a set schedule.Who are the Group Owners?A Group Owner is a member that has initiated the creation of a group to connect with other members to share their journey through the same pregnancy & baby stages. Group Owners uphold the core values of the brand by reporting content that violates the community guidelines. Help Keep Our Community Safe To create a safe place, please

• be respectful and kind
• be open-minded to other opinions
• think twice before sharing personal details

On our end, we will

• foster a friendly and supportive environment
• remove fake accounts, spam and misinformation
• delete posts that violate our community guidelines

Reactions