How to Know When to Move Your Baby From Bassinet to Crib

According to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), babies should sleep in a bassinet in their parent’s room for the first six months. This has since been considered a general rule.

But then:

Babies eventually outgrow bassinets. As a parent, you must know when this happens so you can move your baby to a crib. 

That said:

Here’s how you know your baby is too big for a bassinet.

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When is Baby Too Big for Bassinet?

The following are different indications that your baby has become too big for a bassinet and is ready for a crib.

When Your Baby Starts Rolling Over or Moving Around A Lot

According to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP):

Parents must stop using bassinets for their babies the moment they start rolling over. The rationale for this recommendation is simple—to prevent accidental suffocation and to topple over.

You see:

Approximately 3,400 American babies die from SUIDs (sudden unexpected infant death syndrome) yearly. In 2019, accidental suffocation accounted for about 28% of these deaths. 

As a parent:

You must know how bassinets work. Despite being very comfortable, they are much smaller than cribs and offer just a little space for babies. 

Thus, babies rolling over pose a health risk as bassinets don’t have sufficient space. They may inadvertently roll to a position that makes breathing difficult. 

Although most new bassinets have breathable mesh on the side, this may not be enough sometimes.

Even worse:

Babies have poor neck control. This means they cannot reposition their heads when they roll over to a bad position.

If this happens at midnight when no one is awake to reposition the baby, it may lead to accidental suffocation. 

Having said that:

You must get a crib when you notice that your baby is trying to roll in the bassinet. There’s no better compelling sign that your baby has outgrown the bassinet than that.

Cribs provide more space and make it easier for your baby to roll back and forth. 

In addition to suffocating:

Babies can topple over their bassinet when they roll, as they are lightweight. Also, if you notice your baby moving around a lot, especially during sleep, it’s craving for more space. 

Thus must be transitioned from a bassinet to a crib.

When Your Baby has Surpassed the Weight Limit 

Fact:

Every bassinet has a maximum weight limit that typically ranges between 20 and 25 lbs. There are also a few that can be as low as 10 lbs or even as high as 30 lbs. 

So, you must check your baby’s weight regularly to ensure they’re still below the weight limit. If you find that your baby has crossed the limit, do not hesitate to upgrade to a crib.

Why?

The bassinet may become unstable when it’s overloading causing your baby to wobble or fall over.

When Your Baby has Surpassed the Height Limit 

Typically:

Bassinets are designed to contain babies even when they’re fully outstretched. In other words, neither their heads nor feet should touch the bottom and top edges of the bassinet. 

However:

Babies grow rapidly, with some even more rapidly than others. This means that they outgrow the bassinet a few months after usage.

Consequently, they won’t have enough space to stretch out and may wake up uncomfortable. They may also wake up more often than normal.

So:

If you notice your baby’s head and feet touching the bassinet’s edges, it’s time to move your baby to a crib. 

When Your Baby Starts Sitting, Standing, and Crawling 

Sitting, standing, and crawling are some of the most anticipated milestones of babies. When your baby reaches these milestones, it’s no longer a good idea to continue with a bassinet.

Unlike cribs, bassinets have low walls. Therefore, it’s easy for babies to fall off when they look over the edge while sitting or standing. 

Also, crawling babies can easily get out of the bassinet and hurt themselves.

Final Tip: Annie Baby Monitor – Your Watchful Companion in the Nursery

Watching over your little one when they start sleeping on their own is important. 

You can easily do that by placing a monitor in their nursery. With Annie’s real-time video and audio monitoring, as well as cry and motion detection, you can always stay connected with your child, which will give you peace of mind.

Looking for a top-notch baby monitor? Look no further than Annie Baby Monitor. It’s the perfect solution for keeping tabs on your little one. Check it out now.

Conclusion

A bassinet is great for newborns and is recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), but when does your baby become too big for a bassinet? 

Here are the signs to watch out for:

• When your baby starts rolling over or moving around a lot
• When your baby has surpassed the weight limit 
• When your baby has surpassed the height limit
• When your baby starts sitting, standing, and crawling 

Now:

If you notice these signs, it’s safe to say that your baby’s time in the bassinet has ended. 

Remember to reach us via the comment section if you have further questions.

Frequently Asked Questions About How to Know When Baby is Too Big for Bassinet