How to Get Your Baby to Sleep in a Bassinet
A common question from parents of newborns: how to get the baby to sleep in the bassinet? When you are exhausted and need a break, it can be a little frustrating that your newborn only sleeps in your arms and as soon as you lay them down they begin wailing. So let’s talk a little bit about this situation!
Why will my baby only sleep in my arms and not in the crib/bassinet?
It may sound funny, but to a newborn baby, their “natural habitat” is literally being inside of your body. Held tightly, warm, dark, muffled sounds only. It must be very strange to be a baby and suddenly be exposed to lights, vision, clothing on skin! It is disorienting to a baby to be away from the warmth, scent, and cuddles of their parents.
With that in mind, we can say that a newborn baby not wanting to be put down on a firm flat mattress is actually completely normal and not a problem that needs fixing. That being said, we do not live in a society where there are constantly other adults around us to help hold our babies and we cannot always do it all on our own. We need to balance both our needs and our baby’s needs.
That means gradually and gently helping them learn to get used to being laid down for naps sometimes!
Wear the crib or bassinet sheet next to your skin so it smells like you
This little “hack” helps keep your scent close to your baby, and also avoids the problem of unsafe shirts or blankets being put into the crib with the newborn. Tuck the sheet inside your shirt, up against your skin, for a few hours, before replacing it on the mattress and laying your baby down.
Keep your hand on baby’s chest until they are sleeping soundly
Lay your baby down, tightly swaddled, and keep your hands on them until they fall asleep while laying in the bassinet. You can also use your hands to provide gentle jiggling or rocking motion, stopping just before they close their eyes and fall asleep. The weight and motion of your hands helps the baby feel more comfortable and at home with the transition from your arms to their bed.
Use a paci, swaddle, and sound machine
These are my favorite tools for newborn baby sleep. A pacifier is a great tool for soothing them in their bassinet. A well-done swaddle or swaddling product helps them feel secure and held, and a sound machine mimics the whooshing sounds of the womb and keeps them from being disturbed. See some of my favorite brands of newborn baby sleep tools.
Keep practicing a little every day to help them get used to it
A common mistake is to hold the baby for naps all day and then expect them to lie in the bassinet at night. While contact naps for newborns are fine and normal, you can also alternate with having them lie in the bassinet for daytime naps. Even if they only make it a few minutes, make it a point each day to practice a little, using the tips I provided above! Your baby will get used to their own sleeping space over time, and even come to desire it!
Click the image to go to my FREE Newborn Sleep Class! Perfect if you are pregnant or have a baby younger than 12 weeks old!