Every new parent’s daydream is to watch her little angel sleeping peacefully in a crib. You might have even purchased the most adorable crib on the market for your baby. However, teaching your child to sleep in their crib may prove more challenging than you thought.
In the early stages after birth, it is common for babies to sleep in a bassinet. Eventually, though, it will be necessary to move your child from the bassinet to the crib. There are a lot of reasons why your child may need to transition to a crib. It is something that almost every parent faces at some point. If you follow the perfect procedure to transit your little angel to the crib, the process can be easy. Here in this article, we will discuss how to transition a baby to a crib.
When To Transition Your Baby To Their Crib?
It can be confusing for parents to decide when to move their baby to a crib. What is the best way to determine when your baby needs a crib?
Babies grow up incredibly fast during the initial period. While there is no exact time, according to experts, from 3 months to 6 months is the right moment to transition your little one to the crib. You don’t expect the child to wake up crying after crashing beside his or her bassinet. You may want to consider switching them from the bassinet to the crib if they have outgrown it.
As a parent, you must decide when it is the right time to transition your child to a crib. Here are some factors you should consider
- In the bassinet, your baby has difficulty moving around.
- Your baby has gained some extra weight.
- You discover that the bassinet space is not sufficient.
- The baby wakes up more often while sleeping in the bassinet.
- Toddler kicks the bassinet in the night.
- Your baby has begun rolling over.
- When your child can sit or roll in the bassinet, it is the right time to transition to a crib.
If you find your baby still sleeping peacefully, then it might not be the right time to transition. However, if you take too long to decide, you will find it more challenging to make the switch. It is much easier and much more convenient for babies during the early stages of development to be in a crib. The older ones typically take longer to get comfortable with a new place to sleep. Be careful not to make the change suddenly, such as when you move or go on vacation.
Does your baby climb out of the crib? Stop the baby from climbing out of Crib(Tips and Tricks)
How to Transition Baby to Crib
To transition your baby into a crib, you must follow a few steps. This will help your baby develop a habit of sleeping in the crib.
First, Create a Comfortable Sleeping Atmosphere For your baby
- Maintaining a steady temperature in your room will help you to create an appropriate environment for your baby.
- The best way to keep the room dark is to use a blackout shade to block incoming light before the transition.
- At night you can use a night light that will help you to feed your baby. It is not recommended to use green or blue light because they suppress sleep.
- You can use a baby shusher to block out external noise.
Make Sure Your Baby is Wearing Lightweight and Ventilated Cloth
- Dress up your baby in organic cotton clothes that are breathable, comfy, and free of harmful substances. Thus, they will be able to lay comfortably on their crib for an extended period.
- Wearable blankets reduce the risk of your baby kicking off the blanket when you are not around.
The best to Prepare Your Crib
Babies will be more likely to fall asleep in there if the crib feels cozy.
- When placing the baby on the cribs, make sure that the cover is not too cool so as not to bother them.
- Using sleeping bags instead of blankets is a good idea because babies feel more comfortable in them.
Make The Crib Feel Like Mom
- While sleeping, your child will likely seek out your smell if they love to snuggle with you before falling asleep. Here, you can do the trick and try to sleep on the crib before the transition. While they sleep in their cribs, the babies will believe that they are near you.
- Sleep with your baby’s blanket for a few days, and then put her in it during the transition period.
Creating a Routine Will Help Make The Transition Easy
Setting up a sleep routine will ultimately ease the transition.
- Observe your baby’s sleep pattern and create a routine
- Be consistent with your baby’s sleeping routine.
- Try to figure out what works for your baby and makes them happy and comfortable. And stick to the sleep plan and make the transitioning process easy for the baby.
Make The Transition Gradually
It is important to remember that your baby must feel safe and secure while sleeping in their crib. Your baby cannot develop the habit of sleeping there overnight.
- You should keep the crib in your room and sleep on it first and then send it back to their room.
- Make sure your tot feels comfortable in the space before transitioning fully.
- Consider allowing your child to take a nap in their crib in the daytime before transitioning at night.
- During the initial transition, remain near the crib until your baby falls to sleep and then gradually reduce the time. There will come a point where you no longer have to stay there to put your baby to sleep in a crib.
Select a Sleep Training method
- You should use the sleep training method while transitioning your baby to the crib. Make sure you choose one that fits your baby’s personality and your own.
- Regardless of the approach you choose, remain consistent.
Crib Sleeping Tips
- Make sure you place your baby on their back each time you make them sleep in their crib. If the child can roll over on his own, then that is okay.
- Keep the baby’s crib clean all the time so that he or she can sleep comfortably.
- Make sure you remove the toys, bumpers and keep them sleeping-free from unwanted items.
- Try to use tight-fitting sheets and a firm mattress.
- You cannot put pillows, cushions, or loungers in the crib.
- You should use a full-size crib to accommodate growth peaks every month of your baby.
- It is best to keep your baby on a firm mattress to prevent aches and pains.
Crib Vs Bassinet: Comparison Between Crib and Bassinet
Do you want to know if a bassinet or crib would be better for your baby? Your goal is to choose a crib or bassinet that will fit your budget and needs while protecting your child. Find out the differences between a bassinet and a crib that will help you make the perfect decision.
Here are the differences between a crib and a bassinet:
| Characteristics | Crib | Bassinet |
| Definition | Bassinets are specially designed for babies from birth to about four months old. In general, they’re shaped like ovals, consist of mesh sides, and move easily | Bedstead for a small child with horizontal slats and a high enclosure |
| Safety Factor | A bassinet is safe for babies until they can sit or move | You can use a crib to sleep your child from four months to 3 years. |
| Space | A bassinet offers less space than a crib. | Cribs are great because you can choose between a variety of sizes and types. |
| Suitable Age | The bassinet is suitable for newborn babies | Three to four months is the ideal time to transition from the bassinet to crib |
| Flexibility | As a bassinet offers less space for babies they are flexible. | A crib offers greater flexibility based on size and space |
| Affordability | The average cost of a bassinet starts at $100 | Prices for cribs start at $100 on average. Buying a crib is economical since you will eventually have to buy one. |
FAQ
How Firm is The Mattress?
As your BMI number increases, your mattress should become firmer. Conversely, with a lower BMI, you will get a less soft mattress. When deciding on the firmness of your mattress, remember to consider your sleeping posture, your weight. However, babies are not the factors you should consider while choosing a mattress for your baby. You should select a mattress between eight and ten on the mattress firmness scale for the baby.
Will it Fit Perfectly in The Crib?
A newborn baby grows faster and quicker than you can imagine. After 3 months, they are ready to transition to the crib. Babies can sleep in their cribs from the age of three months until three years old. This helps to develop their maturity as they transition to sleeping in the big bed.
Can Your Baby Roll Over?
Typically, babies roll over for the first time around the age of four months. Rocking from side to side is part of the foundation for rolling over. Babies usually rollover on both sides by the sixth month of life. That is why it becomes risky to keep them on the bassinet. As soon as your baby can roll over, you should transition them to a crib.
How long should my baby sleep in a bassinet, and at what age should I move her to a crib?
Babies up to the age of 3 months are suitable for sleeping in a bassinet. Once your child reaches 3 months of age, you should consider transitioning to a crib. Because naturally, after 4 months, babies start rolling, making it is risky to keep them in the bassinet. There are also a variety of factors to consider when making your decision. If you find that your baby’s weight is too much for a bassinet, then you should move her to a crib. Additionally, you should transition your baby to the crib if the bassinet space is inadequate.
Can The Baby Sleep in a Crib at 2 Months?
The answer is yes, and you can sleep your 2-month baby in a crib. Two months is not too young to sleep on her own in the crib if you choose to move her to your room. Nonetheless, she is still too young to assume she will sleep in a crib during the night.
What Not to Do While Moving Your Baby to a Crib?
You should keep in mind some factors while you are moving your baby to the crib mattress. Ensure the crib mattress BMI is between 8 and 10, ensuring firmness is good for the baby. Additionally, when buying a crib mattress, make sure that your baby feels comfortable. Additionally, the mattress doesn’t contain any harmful chemical material.
What if My Baby Doesn’t Like Sleeping in Their Bassinet or Crib?
Parents find it hard to transfer the baby from the bassinet to the crib. Once your baby gets the habit of sleeping in the bassinet, they might not like to sleep in a crib. But the fact is that when a baby can roll or sit in the bassinet, it is risky to keep their sleep on that. To avoid any risk, you should follow some steps to transition the baby to the crib. Provide a sleep environment, create a sleep routine, and gradually train them to sleep in cribs.
When is The Best Time to Make The Transition To The Crib?
The best time to move a baby to a crib is after 3 months. Making sleep in the crib will help you to build the habit quickly. Eventually, you need to transfer your baby to the crib. So it is a good idea to make the habit at an early stage. After your baby transitions to the crib, they can use it for up to two or three years.
When Should I Stop Co-sleeping With My Baby?
A newborn baby should sleep in their crib in the same room you sleep in. According to the expert, you should sleep with your baby in the same room for at least six months. When they are six months old or one year old, you can separate them into their own room.
What Makes The Transition to The Crib Difficult?
Once your baby starts sleeping on the bassinet, they find it difficult to sleep in the crib. A baby will get used to sleeping in the bassinet very quickly. Once they became familiar with the move of the bassinet, they eventually became used to sleeping on it. By following a few simple steps, you can make the transition from bassinet to crib easier.
Final Thoughts
I hope the article will help you know how to transition a baby to a crib. It is difficult for every parent to establish a habit with their newborn. Gradually implementing the changes will make the transition easier for you. Create a comfortable environment, find proper clothing, and make the crib comfortable for your baby. These simple steps will help you transition your baby to a crib smoothly within a few days.
Donna Hudson completed her graduation from The University of Texas at Austin in 2012. After completing her graduation she join a baby shop. Dona married Hudson in 2016 now she is an young mother with two beautiful Child. Dona spend most of her time to read book, cooking and writing blog.