Baby won’t sleep in bassinet? A common occurrence, especially for newborns.
There are many reasons why your baby hates their bassinet or won’t sleep in a bassinet. Oftentimes, it has nothing to do with the actual bassinet!
If you're wondering, “how to get baby to sleep in bassinet?” or “why does my newborn hate bassinets”?, read on – we have tips for how to get a newborn baby to sleep in bassinet along with what to do if you find your baby or newborn refuses to sleep in bassinet.
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Why Won’t My Newborn Sleep in a Bassinet?
“My newborn hates bassinet.” A common thing that many parents of infants say! Sure, some babies take to their bassinet just fine, but others need support getting used to it – and that can be expected.
Oftentimes a newborn won’t sleep in their bassinet at night because they’d rather sleep on you. In fact, newborns biologically need you to fall asleep.
This is because after months living in the womb, sleeping when held provides them with the feeling of warmth, safety, and comfort – so if your baby cries in their bassinet, know that it may be their way of telling you they’d rather be held. Newborns are also used to the feeling of being rocked when in the womb, another reason a newborn hates bassinet (and cribs too) but loves to sleep when held. Being held can also regulate their body temperature, which helps them sleep better.
Other reasons it seems your baby hates bassinets or refuses to sleep in bassinet could be:
- Moro Reflex: Newborns move a lot in their sleep because they can’t yet control their bodies and limbs. Sudden jerks and movements because of the Moro reflex, also known as the startle reflex, can lead to an unhappy newborn lying awake in bassinet. If your baby is under 2-months-old (or not yet showing signs of rolling over), swaddling is one way to help your newborn sleep in bassinet.
- Uncomfortable: If your baby’s sleep space is too loud, not set to the ideal room temperature, or not pitch black, or if they are hungry or need a diaper change, they may struggle to sleep – making you think that your newborn hates their bassinet.
- Sleep Regression: Your baby can have their first sleep regression around 4-months-old. It’s common if your baby refuses to sleep in bassinet or crib around this time. If your infant won't sleep in bassinet anymore, their sleep patterns could be changing, and their sleep schedule may need to adjust to help them sleep better in their bassinet.
- Reflux: If your baby is put in their bassinet without being burped, or if they have gas or reflux, they could struggle to sleep in bassinet and cry.
- Not Tired or Overtired: As your newborn gets older, their sleep needs change. As their sleep needs change it becomes important for you to adjust their sleep schedule to make sure they have age-appropriate wake windows. If your put your baby in their bassinet before a wake window ends, they may cry in their bassinet because they’re not tired. If you wait too long to put your baby to sleep in their bassinet, they may not sleep in the bassinet because they are overtired.
- Too Big: Once your baby is too big for a bassinet, they may become cramped and uncomfortable. Once they are too big for a bassinet, it’s time to figure out how to get your baby to sleep in a crib. (To make sure your bassinet is safe for your baby, check the weight limits.)
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How to Get Your Newborn Baby to Sleep in Bassinet:
Here is advice on how to get your newborn sleep in their bassinet. Keep in mind every baby is different and what works for one baby may not work for another.
- Try swaddling: For babies who have not shown signs of rolling over, swaddling your baby at night can help them sleep more soundly in their bassinet by preventing them from startling themselves awake. Swaddling also keeps them warm and cozy, which helps them sleep better, too. Stop swaddling your baby the second they show signs of rolling over.
- Make bassinet smell like you: If your newborn won’t sleep in their bassinet and prefers to be held, you can try to sleep with one of your newborn’s bassinet sheets for a few days to make it smell like you. This may help them feel calmer when sleeping in their bassinet.
- Perfect sleep environment: A soothing, calm sleep environment plays a big role in whether your baby will refuse to sleep in bassinet. To optimize your baby's sleep space and help them sleep better, you should keep it pitch black, use a noise machine to mimic the sounds of the womb, and set the ideal room temperature of 68-72 degrees Fahrenheit, which is proven to help babies sleep better in their bassinet and beyond.
- Keep them comfortable: Before putting your newborn to sleep in their bassinet at night, make sure they are fed, burped, and have a clean diaper. This will make it easier for them to fall asleep. (Many babies do well with overnight diapers, too!)
- Follow sleep cues: Even though newborns don’t yet have a set sleep schedule as their circadian rhythm is still developing and their wake windows can range, when you see sleep cues try to put them down for sleep in bassinet. The answer to can newborn sleep in bassinet is yes, but like with anyone, they must be tired to sleep! It’s all part of baby sleep science.
- Be patient: Your newborn may need a little time to get used to sleeping in a bassinet. Keep trying to put them down for naps and bed in bassinet – you can put them down sleepy but still awake so they can get used to laying in the bassinet. If they are comfortable and tired, you may be surprised when they start sleeping in bassinet!
Baby older than 4 month old won’t sleep in bassinet anymore?
While most babies have outgrown their bassinet by 4-months-old, if your 4-month-old is struggling to fall asleep at night, you can consider sleep training.
Sleep training is all about building healthy sleep habits and helping your baby get comfortable with falling asleep in their bassinet or crib without parental support, like being held. Sleep training does this by making sure your baby’s biological rhythm is aligned and their sleep environment is optimized to make it as easy as possible for them to fall asleep – and sleep for longer stretches.
Keep in mind your baby must be at least 4-months-old and over 12 pounds to start sleep training; before then they aren’t biologically ready. Speak to your pediatrician to make sure they are ready to be sleep trained and download the Smart Sleep Coach by PampersTM app to get guidance on which of the many sleep training methods may be right for you.
The Importance of Getting Newborn to Sleep in Bassinet
Even though biologically your newborn may prefer to be held while sleeping, getting your newborn to sleep in a bassinet at night is important so you get the rest you need as well. While contact naps during the day are okay when your baby is a newborn, getting your newborn to sleep in bassinet at night is important as co-sleeping is never recommended nor safe.
Having a bassinet or crib in your room for the first 6 months of your baby’s life can help if newborn won’t sleep in bassinet at night. Room sharing is recommended to make nighttime wakeups and feedings easier. When you move your baby to their own room is up to you, but it’s recommended they sleep in your room in their own sleep space until they are at least 6 months.
How Long Does a Bassinet Last?
How long should a newborn sleep in a bassinet is a common question for parents, given how fast a newborn grows.
While bassinets may be portable and smaller, which makes them easier to fit in your bedroom, newborns and babies may outgrow their bassinets rather quickly. Check the instructions that come with your baby’s sleep bassinet to see the weight limits and transition baby from bassinet to crib once they are too big for their bassinet.
Want personalized support for helping baby to sleep in bassinet? Take this free 3-minute sleep quiz to get a personalized plan to lay the foundation for getting your baby to love their bassinet or crib!
Safety Tips for Sleeping in Bassinet
Whether your baby hates bassinet or not, it’s important for their bassinet, and any of their sleep spaces, to be safe.
A bassinet is a safe space for your newborn to sleep, until they grow out of it. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommend that all babies are put to sleep on their back on a firm surface, such as a crib or bassinet, free of any blankets or soft toys for the first year of their life. A newborn shouldn’t sleep on their stomach in their bassinet or crib.
Just like a crib, your bassinet should be kept away from anything that poses a danger to your baby and in a room that's not too hot and not too cold.
Final Thoughts
It’s normal if your newborn refuses to sleep in bassinet – or anywhere that’s not your arms for that matter. This phase won’t last forever – your baby will develop and eventually become more comfortable falling asleep independently. But until they are around 4 months, it's no surprise if they continue to cry in bassinet or their cribs or wake up when put in bassinet or their crib.
Even after 4-months-old they may need some encouragement (and patience) to get comfortable falling asleep independently. However, with a biologically aligned sleep schedule and a lot of consistency, your baby will start sleeping better in their bassinet or crib.
If you're concerned about your baby's sleep patterns or behavior, it's always a good idea to consult with your pediatrician. They can provide guidance tailored to your baby's needs. Just remember, every baby is different! It may take some trial and error to find what works best for your little one, but you'll get there.
