Colin Snow
It is a common struggle for parents to transfer their sleeping newborn to a bassinet without waking them up. Newborns are comforted by the constant motion, snugness, and sounds they experienced in the womb, and they feel safe and settled when held in their parents' arms. However, it is important for babies to sleep on their backs in their own sleep space, such as a bassinet or crib, to reduce the risk of SIDS. So, what are some tips and tricks to help parents with this challenging task?
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What You'll Learn
- Wait until your baby is in a deep sleep before attempting to transfer them
- Replicate the sensations of the womb by using white noise and swaddling
- Avoid holding your baby to sleep as they will come to expect this
- Try to be calm and predictable so your baby can learn the process
- Use a stroller bassinet so you can lay down while keeping a hand on your baby
Wait until your baby is in a deep sleep before attempting to transfer them
It is normal for newborns to prefer sleeping in your arms, as they feel the warmth, rhythmic movement and constant closeness they were used to in the womb. However, it is important to make sure that you are fully awake when holding your baby during their naps, as sleeping on a chair or sofa with your baby in your arms is extremely risky.
To avoid this, you can try waiting until your baby is in a deep sleep before attempting to transfer them to their bassinet. Signs to look for are slow, even breaths and a completely relaxed body. You can also try the rag doll arm test: lift your baby's arm – if it is resistant, they are in a light sleep, but if it is floppy, they are in a deep sleep. For very young babies, this may mean waiting 20-25 minutes through the first half of their sleep cycle. When you do move them, do so very slowly.
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Replicate the sensations of the womb by using white noise and swaddling
It is completely normal for a baby to sleep better in contact with you than separately. This is because the baby's womb was warm, dark, very tight, had movement, and muffled noises. To replicate these sensations, you can use white noise and swaddling.
White noise is an effective way to create a comforting environment for your baby, as it mimics the sounds your baby heard in the womb. It helps to turn on your baby's calming reflex, which is their built-in 'reset button' to calm crying and bring on sleep. A 40-baby study found that white noise helped 80% fall asleep in just 5 minutes! White noise can also block out other noises around the house. To start using white noise, play the sound in the background during your baby's sleepy-time routine. You can use a white noise machine or your phone, but make sure to put your phone on airplane mode when you place it near your baby.
Swaddling is another way to replicate the sensations of the womb. Ask your midwife for tips on how to swaddle your baby. Tips can include a super tight swaddle with hands tucked in but nice and close to the face. Make sure to leave the swaddle loose around the legs, being careful of their delicate hip joints. Swaddling helps your baby feel secure and safe and is the safest way for a baby to sleep for the first few months of life.
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Avoid holding your baby to sleep as they will come to expect this
It is normal for a baby to sleep better in contact with you than separately. This is an adaptive, evolutionary hardwired trait, and not something to worry about. Young babies especially need the closeness and regulation that your arms provide. However, you may want or need to put your baby down.
Babies will come to expect to feel you when they sleep, as they did when they were in the womb. When they wake up, they will expect to see you. If they don't, they may cry out for you to come back and hold them again. Your baby will not sleep unless held because they haven’t developed the skills needed to self-soothe.
To avoid your baby expecting this, you can try to put them down in their crib while they are still awake. Your child needs to learn how to fall asleep on their own without your assistance. As their parent, it’s your job to help them develop this essential skill.
You can also try to block out light and sound disruptions from the room they sleep in to support them to sleep for longer. Maintain predictable pre- and post-sleep routines to make your desired sleeping arrangement second nature for everyone in your family.
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Try to be calm and predictable so your baby can learn the process
When putting your newborn to sleep in a bassinet, it is important to remain calm and predictable so that your baby can learn the process and eventually settle into a sleep routine. Here are some tips to help you achieve this:
Create a calm and soothing environment by dimming the lights and keeping the room quiet. You can also play
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Use a stroller bassinet so you can lay down while keeping a hand on your baby
Using a stroller bassinet is a great way to lay down while keeping a hand on your baby. This method can be especially useful if you're struggling to transfer your baby from your arms to a sleep space. It can be difficult to adapt to a new environment, and some babies struggle with this more than others.
Firstly, it's important to choose the right stroller bassinet. Many strollers feature a single seat unit that can be converted into a bassinet for newborns, providing comfort and versatility. Look for models with adjustable handlebars, ample storage space, and all-terrain wheels. Some strollers even have bassinets that can be detached and used as standalone carriers, making them highly portable and convenient. Bassinets are designed to safely and comfortably cradle newborns, providing a flat sleep surface as recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). They can be used until your baby outgrows them, usually around six months of age.
When using a stroller bassinet, park it right next to your bed so that you can easily reach out and touch your baby. This setup allows you to lay down while still keeping a hand on your baby, ensuring they feel your touch and closeness. You can also bring your scent into the bassinet by placing a worn shirt or crib sheet that smells like you inside. Just remember to remove it before putting your baby down.
Additionally, consider using a swaddle instead of a sleep sack for newborns, as they tend to be more effective at making young babies feel secure. You can also try using a floor bed, which allows you to get up and move around while your baby remains in one place, or practice bedsharing, following safe guidelines.
Remember, every baby is unique, and you will find a method that works best for you and your little one.
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Frequently asked questions
Wait until your baby is in a deep sleep. You can check this by lifting their arm – resistance means light sleep, and floppy arms mean deep sleep. Then, move slowly and gently lower your baby so that their side touches the bassinet first and then gently roll them onto their back. Alternatively, lower the lower half of their body first, then the upper half.
It is normal for newborns to struggle with sleeping in a bassinet as they are used to the constant movement, snugness, and sounds they experienced in the womb. To help them sleep in a bassinet, you can swaddle them, recreate the calming rhythms of the womb with gentle rocking and white noise, or place them in a stroller bassinet so you can lay down beside them.
Be consistent and patient. Your newborn will need help learning that they are safe and secure in their bassinet. You can pat their chest in a slow heartbeat rhythm for two minutes when putting them down for a nap or bedtime. If they are upset after two minutes, pick them up and try again later. Repeat this process for 10 minutes at the start of each nap and bedtime.
Allowing your newborn to sleep elsewhere, like in your bed or car seat, can be dangerous and set the stage for bassinet resistance. According to safe sleep guidelines, babies should sleep on their back in their own sleep space, like a bassinet, that features a flat mattress and a fitted sheet with no loose blankets, pillows, or stuffed toys.
