How Long Can A Baby Sleep In A Bassinet? Complete Guide Update 04/2024

It’s normal to be concerned about how long your baby can sleep in a bassinet before deciding whether or not it’s time to transfer to a crib.

There is no one-size-fits-all answer, and many people don’t recognize this fact.

For each bassinet model, the amount of time a baby can sleep in it varies.

In addition, each baby’s speed at achieving various developmental milestones will vary.

In this page, you’ll find three useful charts (with sortable titles) for sorting bassinets according to their weight restriction. Additional milestones mandated by their respective manufacturers will also be displayed.

It should be simple to obtain the information you need, regardless of whether you already possess a bassinet or are considering purchasing one.

This post may contain affiliate links. Learn more about this disclosure policy by reading it.

Why you should get a bassinet?

The first time you bring your baby home, you’ll need somewhere safe and convenient to put him down for naps and sleep. For parents, this means a safe area to put their baby down multiple times per day, as newborns can sleep up to 14 or 16 hours a day. This vital duty can be made a lot easier if you have a bassinet handy.
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In addition to being convenient for parents, the bassinet gives the infant with a safe, comfortable area to sleep right next to them.

Infants and newborns should be put to sleep on their backs on a hard surface like a cot or a crib, according to guidelines from the American Association of Pediatrics (AAP). Toys, blankets, and other accessories are not permitted in the sleeping area.

At least six months and even up to a year old, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that parents and their children sleep together in the same room, but not in the same bed.

It’s a safe bet that you’ll need a bassinet to keep your kid in the same room as you. It’s compact enough to fit virtually anywhere and offers the most comfortable place for your baby to sleep.

How long can baby sleep in a bassinet?

You can use most classic bassinets for as long as your baby is 15 pounds or until he or she is able to stand on his or her hands and knees. The majority of babies reach these milestones between the ages of 4 and 5 months of age.

Newer bassinets feature a larger weight limit compared to older models…

One bassinet has a weight limit of 33 pounds!

That stated, a baby’s weight is only one aspect that affects how long he can sleep in a bassinet for a given period of time..

The other piece of the puzzle is to work on your physical ability.

It is conceivable for an infant to climb out of a bassinet with these skills.

As soon as a baby’s first milestone is reached, manufacturers advise parents to discontinue using their bassinets. This can vary from product to product.

Examples of milestones that determine how long a baby can sleep in a bassinet:

  • Being able to push yourself up from your knees
  • I’m able to do the flip-flop.
  • A person who is able to sit on their own without assistance.
  • The ability to rise up on both sides is possible.
  • Reaches the legal age of consent.
  • The weight limit has been exceeded.

It is important to remember that not all bassinets follow the same progression of milestones. Always read and follow the instructions in your product’s user manual.

A list of popular bassinets and their standard weight limits can be seen in the chart below. Our next topic will be bassinets with larger weight limits, so stay tuned!

Which bassinets can be used the longest?

It’s likely that you’re wondering if there are any bassinets that may be used for a longer period of time.

Bassinets can handle more weight now than they used to, which is a good thing.

In most situations, physical milestones (like as pushing up on hands and knees) are the same, which is a disappointment.

8 Best Baby Bassinets for Safe Sleeping - Best Bassinets in 2022

Listed below are your choices for a bassinet with the best longevity potential:

Are there other options that can be used even longer?

There are, in fact!

There are a variety of products on the market that can grow with your child.

You can reduce the mattress level on these bassinets over time to accommodate your baby’s growing needs.

How long should a baby sleep in a bassinet in mom and dad’s room?

Parental sharing a room with a baby is encouraged by the American Academy of Pediatrics during the first six months or ideally for the first year.

Why?

To reduce SIDS deaths by half, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) advocates room sharing over bed sharing.

That being said, sharing a room is seen as an additional safeguard against SIDS, rather than a primary one.

The risk of sleep-related death is virtually nonexistent if you follow the ABCs of good sleep hygiene.

Breastfeeding (50 percent reduction in SIDS risk) and offering a pacifier before every sleep period can still be taken advantage of if you don’t share a room (90 percent risk reduction).

It is important to keep in mind that these safeguards do not stack.

Learn more about the subject of sound sleep hygiene.

Then what? Where should baby sleep when he outgrows the bassinet?

It is time to move your baby from the bassinet to the crib or the playard when he has outgrown it, or has reached a developmental milestone, or you are simply ready for him to sleep in his own room.

To help you get started, here are a few pointers:

  • Only cribs and playards should be used for your child’s safety. Infant sleep products must meet federal safety standards if they are labeled with these legal terms. Is the Pack N Play safe for a baby to sleep in?
  • There should be no cushioning in the sleeping area at all. Any “trick” you use to make your infant more comfortable is harmful. The only thing in the crib or playard should be a fitted sheet.
  • Bumpers should never be attached to a crib. They aren’t required to keep people safe. Suffocation, strangulation, and trapping are all possibilities while using bumpers.
  • If your baby can roll over (or is showing indications of rolling), it’s time to quit swaddling and go with a sleep sack.
  • Do not let your child sleep in his or her cot with a lovey. Suffocation can be caused by things that are too soft.
  • Use a sleep bag for warmth instead of sheets, which can be dangerous. A sleep sack is a type of hooded blanket that can be worn over the shoulders.
  • If you’re going to hang something over a crib, it’s best to avoid anything that’s too heavy. Pull the crib 1 foot away from the wall if you currently have them and want to keep them.
  • Attaching a mobile to the baby’s cot is safe until 5 months of age, or until the child begins to push themselves out of the crib.
  • Within 3 feet of a crib, window treatments and window cords should be kept away from.

If moving from a bassinet to a crib is proving difficult, don’t give up. It will get easier!

The use of loud white noise to assist your infant sleep is a game-changer if you’re not currently doing it!

FAQs

Do I need a bassinet?

You don’t need a bassinet, but you do need a safe place for your baby to sleep at night.. Infant sleep safety criteria are only met by bassinettes, cribs, and playards.

The following categories of sleep products do not meet CPSC requirements:

  • SnuggleMe, Dockatot, and any other “nest”
  • A product that is meant to be used in a bed for an adult.
  • Anyone who is a “side-snorer” (bed with 3 sides).
  • Swings, loungers, and bouncing chairs all fall within this category.

As a result, many families choose to forego the bassinet because of its short lifespan.

There is absolutely nothing wrong with starting your baby off in a crib or Pack ‘n Play right away.

Can a newborn sleep in a crib right away?

Yes! You can put your baby in a crib as soon as they are born as long as you follow the manufacturer’s instructions.

Cribs are the safest place for a baby to sleep. As do baby bassinets and playards.

It’s quite fine to begin acclimating your newborn to a crib as soon as possible. One less thing to worry about in the future.

How long can baby sleep in a cradle?

First five months of life, and until the baby is able to stand on his or her own, are the best times for a cradle.

In order to get the most out of your product, it’s vital to read the instruction manual that came with it.

Always remember to put the cradle away when your child hits a developmental milestone.

Cradles must meet CPSC criteria in order to be considered safe for sleep.
When Your Baby Is Your Roommate - The New York Times

Is there a bassinet age limit?

Parents frequently inquire, “When should a baby be taken out of a bassinet?”

There are age restrictions on some bassinets. Others have suggested a range of ages. Age restrictions are nonexistent in some cases (but other milestones).

Examples of bassinet age limit verbiage can be found here:

  • After a child shows signs of being able to sit or stand alone regardless of their age and weight,” MamaRoo Sleep advises. Weight limit: 25 pounds (11.3kg) Six months is the maximum age.
  • If your baby is able to push up on their hands and knees by the time they are 5 months old, you can utilize Delta Sweet Beginnings.
  • If your child begins to push up on hands and knees or weighs more than 8 kg (18 lb) at 6 months, you should stop using the equipment, according to Baby Bjorn.

Keep in mind that the length of time a baby can sleep in a bassinet is governed by whatever milestone occurs first, as we’ve already described in detail.

When a baby reaches any of the milestones stated in the instructions, it’s imperative that the bassinet be removed.

When should babies start sleeping in cribs?

At this age, you should consider putting your child in his or her own cot.

  • is able to lift 15 pounds (or the weight limit indicated in the manual).
  • is able to perform a hand and knee push-up with ease.
  • A person who is able to sit unaided
  • is capable of rolling over.
  • can be raised by pulling on the side.
  • is a little too tall for my taste.
  • reaches the age of 5 to 6 months.

Using a bassinet safely is dependent on the model you choose. Your bassinet should be phased out as soon as your baby reaches a certain age.

Keep in mind the instructions in your instruction handbook.

The lack of a set date for when newborns should begin sleeping in cribs is due in part to the availability of a safe alternative: the Pack ‘n Play.

How long can a baby stay in a bassinet during a single sleep period?

Sleeping in a bassinet is safe. As long as your baby sleeps through the night or takes an extended nap in their bassinet, it’s entirely acceptable.

There is no time limit on how long a baby can sleep in a bassinet as long as you are following safe sleep practices.

Can a baby sleep in the bassinet if rolling over?

Certain bassinets consider rolling over a milestone, whereas others don’t.

Your bassinet instructions will advise you if it is safe for your baby to continue to sleep in a bassinet once he is able to roll over on his own.

This post’s charts are likely to include the information you’re looking for.

If this is the case, and you are unable to locate your handbook, you can search for the bassinet’s name plus the word “manual” on Google. (Make sure it’s the correct one, of course!)

User instructions for two popular bassinets specifically mention that the equipment should be discontinued as soon as a baby can roll over.

  • The Bassinest, HALO (manual)
  • Bassinet Graco Move ‘n Soothe (manual)

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