When your little one comes home, a safe co-sleeper or bassinet is always ideal. These are smaller than cribs so babies can fall asleep feeling safe and secure.
As they get older and bigger, you’re going to notice that they don’t have a lot of room in their bassinet anymore. It makes sense that this would mean that they feel more secure than they did when they were smaller.
However, it might also seem that they need a little more room. This leads to the question: when is a baby too big for a bassinet?
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When Is Baby Too Big For A Bassinet?
As you look at your little one trying to scoot around their bassinet and realize that there just isn’t quite enough room, you’ll instantly wonder if it’s time to switch to a crib. There are some obvious signs that it’s time to go crib shopping and some not-so-obvious signs that you need to be aware of.
They’re Out Of Room
It makes sense that babies would feel cozy as they get bigger, but the fact is that most of them will run out of space.
As they grow, they also move more. They wake up in the middle of the night and kick their little arms and legs. They scoot a tiny bit. If your baby doesn’t have room to move their arms and legs or their head is constantly pushed against the top of the bassinet, it’s time for an upgrade.
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Movement Milestones
When babies hit certain milestones, it’s not safe for them to be in something as small as a bassinet anymore.
If your little one starts rolling over or sitting up, it’s time to move them to a crib for their own safety. If you don’t they are at risk for serious injury.
Babies that rollover might kick the side of the bassinet too hard, resulting in the bassinet tipping over. If babies can pull themselves up or sit up, they could fall over the side of the bassinet as these beds have extremely short sides. Cribs offer additional protection thanks to their higher walls.
They Hate Their Bassinet
While it may look like your baby has plenty of room, they might feel a little cramped. If this happens, your little one will get fussy when they are in their bassinet.
You might notice that they cry when you lay them down, or they wake up in the middle of the night but have a hard time falling back asleep. If it’s because they are too big for the bassinet, it will mainly happen when they are laying down.
When they are moved into something else, such as a crib or onto a mattress on a larger bed, they will settle down. If your baby hates their bassinet, consider switching them to a crib.
They’re Over The Weight Limit
Bassinets have a weight limit just like all baby items do. Check your bassinet to see if it has a weight limit, and what that weight limit is. Some have a small weight limit of 15 pounds and others might have a weight limit of 30 pounds. Usually babies are too big for a bassinet by the time that they reach the weight limit.
Age
It’s generally assumed that a bassinet is for newborn babies. If your little one is past the newborn stage, they are almost too big for their bassinet.
Most parents move their babies into a crib around the 4-month mark. This is also the same time that babies start to move more, need more room, and finally learn how to roll over. You can move your baby into a crib before they roll over to make sure that they are as safe as possible.
Transitioning To A Crib
Once your baby is too big for a bassinet, it’s time to transition them to a crib. Some parents use a playpen in lieu of a crib, and that’s okay too. The transition process is still the same.
Check out this Delta Children Convertible crib for your baby. It’s got lots of space for your growing child.
- CONVERTIBLE CRIB: Converts from a crib to a toddler bed, daybed and full size bed with headboard
- GROWS WITH BABY: The 3 position mattress height adjustment on this crib allows you to lower the mattress as your baby begins to sit or stand
- BUILT TO LAST: Strong and sturdy wood construction helps create a dream nursery where you’ll spend plenty of Mommy and Me/Daddy and Me time
- WE PUT YOUR BABY’S SAFETY FIRST: This crib is JPMA certified to meet or exceed all safety standards set by the CPSC & ASTM
- SIZE: 54.50 inches L x 30.50 inches W x 43.75 inches H
Prices pulled from the Amazon Product Advertising API on:
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
Start Slow
Before laying your infant down to sleep for the night in their new crib, give them some time to get used to it. Babies that have a slow to warm up temperament will instantly balk if they are suddenly switched to a new bed, so it’s best to give them a little bit of time to transition.
Start by laying them in their new bed for a little bit during the day. Even if they are not asleep, it will give them time to warm up to the new sleep environment.
Remember Sleep Safety
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The bars on most cribs make it tempting to use bumper pads, and the extra space is inviting for stuffed animals, but it’s important to remember sleep safety. Even as babies get older, you should avoid putting anything plush in their beds. This includes:
- Thick blankets, such as comforters
- Pillows
- Stuffed animals
- Bumper pads
It is also important to avoid using a crib mattress that is too plush to avoid suffocation. Before purchasing a crib mattress, make sure that it is firm when you press down on it so that you can rest peacefully knowing that your little one is not at risk.
Sleeping In The Same Room
Although it’s common for parents to move their baby to the nursery, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that babies sleep in the same room as their parents until they are 6-12 months of age.
According to studies, this can reduce the risk of SIDS. This is a personal decision, but it’s important to keep safety in mind.
If you’re wondering when the baby is too big for bassinet, they might already be too big. Remember safety, such as movement milestones and the weight limit, but also use your best judgment as a parent. It’s never too early for a baby to move to a crib.
Some parents skip a bassinet all together and swaddle their baby in a crib. There is no right or wrong way to parent as long as your baby is safe. That also applies when you decide that the baby is too big for the bassinet.
