Bassinet Naps: The Benefits For Newborns And Parents

As a new parent, you will likely spend a lot of time thinking about how to get your newborn to sleep. It can be frustrating when your baby won't sleep in their bassinet, but there are many reasons why this might be the case. Discomfort, gassiness, reflux, over-tiredness, and the startle reflex are some of the most common factors that can cause newborns to reject their bassinets. To help your newborn sleep in their bassinet, you can try burping them, swaddling them, creating a calm sleep environment, and putting them down drowsy but awake to help them learn how to self-soothe. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends that babies sleep on their backs in their own sleeping space, such as a bassinet or crib, to reduce the risk of SIDS, suffocation, and other sleep-related dangers.

Temperature: Ensure the room is between 16-20°C, or 68-72°F

Temperature Control for Newborns

Newborns can struggle to regulate their body temperature, so it's important to ensure the room is an ideal temperature for them to sleep comfortably. The optimal temperature range for a baby's room is between 16°C and 20°C (68°F to 72°F).

Dressing for the Room Temperature

Use a room thermometer to help you decide how to dress your baby for sleep. As a general rule, dress them in one more layer than you would find comfortable for yourself. For warmer temperatures, opt for breathable cotton pyjamas or a short-sleeve bodysuit with a lightweight swaddle. In cooler temperatures, choose footed pyjamas or a long-sleeved bodysuit with a lightweight swaddle blanket made from breathable fabric.

Warming the Bassinet

If your baby falls asleep on you, they may wake up due to the change in temperature when you put them down. To prevent this, you can warm the bassinet with a hot water bottle or beanie before placing your baby inside. Just remember to remove the hot water bottle and check the temperature isn't too warm before putting your baby down.

Ideal Daytime Temperature

During the day, when your baby is awake and you need some time to yourself, the bassinet is a safe space to put your baby down. However, having short periods of time in the bassinet while your baby is awake can also help them become more familiar with the space, making it easier for them to settle there at nap time or bedtime.

Discomfort: Check the bassinet's mattress, weight and height recommendations

Discomfort can be a major factor for some babies who don't want to sleep in a bassinet. Not all bassinets are built alike, and some may not offer enough support and comfort for your baby to sleep on.

Check the mattress that comes with your bassinet and double-check your baby's weight and height against the recommended sizes. If you have a larger baby, it may be time to size up their sleeping area.

The bassinet mattress should be firm and comfortable. The firm surface reduces the risk of suffocation. If your baby’s bassinet mattress is too soft, it could be dangerous. To check the firmness, see if your baby’s head makes an indentation in the mattress. If you notice an indentation after your baby lies on the mattress, it may be too soft.

The mattress shouldn't be so hard that it's uncomfortable and difficult for your baby to fall asleep and stay asleep; it just needs to be firm.

If your baby's bassinet mattress is too thick, it could pose another risk of suffocation. But if it's too thin, it won't be comfortable for your baby. The right amount of thickness is important for both safety and comfort.

Infant mattresses should be no more than 1.5 inches thick for safety reasons. The mattress in your bassinet should be no more than one and a half inches thick. Anything thicker could be a hazard.

Traditional oval or rectangular-shaped bassinets measure about 30 to 33 inches long by 15 to 18 inches wide. However, some bassinets have their own dimensions. Before choosing a bassinet mattress, pay attention to the shape and size of your baby's bassinet. To provide the safest sleep environment, the mattress will need to fit snugly inside the bassinet.

If you don’t have the correct dimensions, this won’t be possible. So, before you begin your search, make sure to measure your baby’s bassinet.

Gassy baby: Burp them or keep them upright to settle their stomachs

Babies can swallow air when they are crying or feeding, which can lead to gas. This is more likely to happen with bottle-fed babies or babies who have physical challenges with breastfeeding or latch issues. If your baby seems uncomfortable, cries a lot in certain positions, or is bunching up their legs a lot, they may have excess gas.

Burping your baby

Burping your baby will help to get rid of some of the air they have swallowed. Try burping them once or twice during feeding, or more often if they seem to be swallowing a lot of air. If your baby doesn't burp after a few minutes, change their position and try again.

• Place the baby over your shoulder and firmly pat or rub their lower back.
• Place the baby across your lap, facing down, and pat or rub their back.
• Sit the baby up on your lap, supporting their chin with your non-dominant hand in a "U" shape, and pat or rub their back with your other hand.
• Lay the baby on your lap on their belly, supporting their head, and pat their back.

It is common for babies to spit up a mouthful of milk when they burp, so you may want to place a towel or bib under their chin.

Keeping your baby upright

Keeping your baby upright after feeding for 10 to 15 minutes can also help prevent milk from coming back up. Minimise vigorous play for about 30 minutes after feeding. When laying your baby down to sleep, keep their head elevated by placing something under two legs of the bed or under the mattress.

Startle reflex: Swaddling can prevent this

The startle reflex, also known as the Moro reflex, is a normal involuntary response that newborn babies experience from birth until around four months old. The reflex is often triggered by an outside factor, such as a sudden movement or a loud noise, but it can also be activated when a baby feels like they are falling. This sensation of falling may be caused by the act of laying a baby down in their bassinet.

Swaddling is an effective way to prevent the startle reflex and help your baby sleep longer. It mimics the close, cozy environment of the womb, making your baby feel safe and secure. By keeping your baby's arms tucked in tight against their body, swaddling prevents them from jerking their arms out, which can startle them awake. Additionally, the womb-like environment created by swaddling helps prevent the feeling of falling that often triggers the startle reflex.

To swaddle your baby, follow these steps:

• Use a large, thin blanket and lay it out on a flat surface.
• Fold one corner in slightly.
• Gently lay your baby face-up on the blanket with their head at the edge of the folded corner.
• Bring one corner of the blanket across your baby's body and tuck it snugly beneath them.
• Fold up the bottom piece of the blanket, leaving room for your baby's feet and legs to move.
• Bring the last corner of the blanket across your baby's body and tuck it beneath them, leaving only their head and neck exposed.

Remember to always place your swaddled baby on their back to sleep and regularly check that they don't overheat.

Overtired: Create a calm sleep environment, reducing bright lights and noises

Creating a Calm Sleep Environment for Your Newborn

Darkness

Creating a dark environment is an important factor in helping your newborn sleep. Darkness helps to reduce overstimulation and sends a signal to your baby's body that it is time to rest. It can be helpful to use blackout curtains or blinds to block out light during the day, and to dim the lights as you get your baby ready for bed. Aim for a darkness level of 8-10 on a scale of 1-10 (where 1 is bright and sunny, and 10 is pitch black).

Noise

Reducing noise is also important in creating a calm sleep environment. White noise, such as a fan or noise machine, can be helpful in blocking out sudden noises and providing a constant, monotonous sound for your baby to fall asleep to. Soft music can also help your baby fall asleep, but be sure to keep the volume low to protect their hearing. It is also important to keep noise levels consistent, as changes in background noise can wake your baby up.

Light and Noise Management Tips:

• Close windows and doors to block out sudden noises and morning light and noise.
• Use heavier curtains or a blanket over windows to block out light.
• Put a draft blocker under the door.
• Place any devices playing soft music, white noise, or rain sounds away from your baby's ears and keep the volume low.
• Be aware that your baby may become dependent on these sounds to get to sleep, so consider phasing them out if this becomes an issue.

Other Tips for an Overtired Baby:

• Remove any screens from the room.
• Turn on white noise, such as a fan or noise machine.
• Create a flexible schedule during the day to prevent your baby from getting overtired.
• Make sure your baby is at a comfortable temperature.
• Limit light at night.
• Learn your baby's wake windows and natural sleep rhythms to help them fall asleep more easily.

Frequently asked questions