Bringing a new life into the world can be the most exciting, terrifying, and trying time for many new parents. However, many first-time parents underestimate the exhaustion that comes along with it.
With the endless sleep spaces on the market for babies, including the newborn sleep bassinet, many new parents find themselves creating poor sleep habits by holding or rocking babies to sleep.
After several weeks of your baby only sleeping in your arms, you wonder just how to get the baby to sleep in a bassinet. The experts at Polysleep are here to help!
Reasons why a baby will not sleep in the bassinet
Sleep habits are created as early as four to eight weeks of age. This means if you hold your baby and rock them to sleep each day for the first few weeks, they will expect it and experience difficulty sleeping in any other sleeping space.
It is important to create a healthy sleep space early on to help reduce the risk of your baby experiencing trouble sleeping.
As a new parent, you may find yourself wondering why your baby will not sleep in a bassinet. It could be because of one or more of the following reasons.
Do you ever find yourself wondering how to get your baby to sleep in a bassinet instead of your arms?
There are many reasons for your baby to prefer sleeping in your arms, including discomfort from gastrointestinal problems such as gas or reflux, the need to be upright following a feeding, or they simply just feel more comfortable and safer.
Is your baby seemingly more comfortable being held during sleep?
While there may not be a diagnosed medical reason, such as reflux, it is often the result of babies forming sleep habits in your arms.
Experts report that it is easier to transition a sleeping baby to a crib or bassinet in the first two months as they become more aware of the world around them around two months of age making it more likely to reject the transition.
If you find yourself wondering how to get a baby to sleep in the bassinet, start the transition early in infancy.
Whether you have just welcomed baby number one or number four, there is a bit of anxiety and nervousness surrounding childbirth and infancy.
We strive to be the best parents, continually research the “latest and greatest”, and experience constant fear and anxiety when our baby is not within our arms.
If you have ever thought to yourself about how to get a baby to sleep in a bassinet and not on me, reduce your anxiety and stress. Plus, if your baby begins experiencing slight discomfort in the bassinet, observe them for a moment to see if they settle themselves. Remember, what helps babies sleep is a soothing, calm environment.
How to get baby to sleep in the bassinet?
It is safe to say all parents have questioned how to make a newborn baby sleep — especially when it comes to how to get the baby to sleep in a bassinet or crib.
Millions of new parents worldwide hear the age-old advice, “sleep when the baby sleeps”, but what if the baby will only sleep in your arms or on your chest?
The good news is there are a few tried and true tips and tricks to help your newborn baby sleep better including:
Babies sleep a lot, especially newborn babies. When they wake in the morning, it is not uncommon for them to have a bottle, be changed, then put back down for the first nap of the day.
This first nap is often the easiest to get them back down, which is why experts recommend starting the first nap in the bassinet to help them gain familiarity.
A baby in the womb is often cradled lightly with limb movement slightly restricted. After birth, they experience discomfort in the ability to move freely as they do not yet understand what to use their little arms and legs for.
Swaddling your newborn allows them to feel a tight hug without actually being wrapped up in your arms - often making it easier for them to drift off to sleep.
When the bassinet is too close to your bed or couch, wherever you may be laying the baby down for a nap, they can smell your presence and become distracted from sleep.
It is uncomfortable for a baby to know you are there but cannot physically get to you. Try moving the bassinet a few feet away from you where your baby cannot see you but you are able to safely monitor at a distance.
Understand your baby’s sleep habits
Babies require up to 16 hours of sleep each day - often divided into short one to two-hour increments. Babies sleep best when they are fed, changed, and warm.
Therefore, understanding your baby’s sleep habits is key to allowing adequate sleep. It is important to establish a sleep routine early on as this will help your newborn adjust to fewer hours of sleep per day as they grow.
A bedtime routine can be as simple as a warm bath and reading a book at the same time each day.
Bassinet safety rules to know
A safe sleeping space is crucial in allowing both you and your newborn a good night’s rest. A few safety rules to remember include:
- Do not place pillows, blankets, or stuffed animals inside of the bassinet as these pose a risk of suffocation.
- Ensure your baby is sleeping on its back on a breathable baby mattress.
- Do not add too many layers of clothing with a swaddle, as this increases the chance of overheating.
Conclusion
At Polysleep, we offer the best crib mattress made in Canada and provide you with a peace of mind that your baby is able to get a good night’s sleep each night.
Made with open-cell memory foam, The Baby mattress is designed to ensure proper airflow to keep your baby at a comfortable temperature and allows for breathability night after night.
Ensuring a safe sleeping environment should be made a priority on day one.
Although you have waited nine months to snuggle your little bundle of joy, it is crucial that you implement healthy sleep habits early on to help ease the transition between womb and world, and ensure the safety of your baby.
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