Being a first-time parent can be difficult as you naturally put a lot of pressure on yourself to make sure that you are doing everything properly and to a high standard.
You may have just got your baby settled in their bassinet or they may be happy sleeping in there, but there comes a time when they outgrow their bassinet and need to move into a crib.
Moving your baby into a crib can be scary, but you need to make sure that when they have outgrown their bassinet they are still comfortable.
Knowing when they have outgrown their bassinet can be a difficult call to make, but it is an important move for your baby.
This article will help you to understand when your baby is too big for a bassinet and when you should think about moving them into a crib.
You can find out more about moving your baby out of their bassinet at the right time below.
How Can You Tell If Your Baby Is Too Big For A Bassinet?
There are some different ways that you can tell if your baby is too big for their bassinet and that it is the right time to move them into a crib.
The main signs that your baby is too big for a bassinet is that they are too heavy and no longer look comfortable in there, but there are also other signs too that may not be as obvious to you.
If your baby has started waking up more often during the night or fussing when you try to settle them, these could be signs that they are uncomfortable in the bassinet and that they need to be moved into a crib where they have more room.
It is important to recognize when your baby has outgrown their bassinet so you can make sure that they are as comfortable as possible when they sleep. But how can you tell?
Your Baby Is Moving Around
Settling your baby in a bassinet is great for making sure that they have a comfortable night’s sleep, but when they begin moving around a lot more, this is a clear indication that they have outgrown their bassinet.
If your baby has started rolling over when playing or lying down, then it is time to move them from their bassinet into a crib.
Bassinets have walls that are a lot lower compared to a crib, so when your baby begins moving around on their own, you know that it will be safer to move them into a crib so they cannot fall out and injure themselves.
If you have noticed that your baby is sitting up on their own or pulling themselves up, then a bassinet is no longer suitable for them to sleep in as they could fall out.
Therefore, clear signs that you need to move your baby out of their bassinet is when they begin moving around a lot more on their own as bassinets are designed for babies who cannot move around as much yet.
It is important to look at your baby’s movements when they are sleeping to see if it is time to move them out of their bassinet.
Keeping Your Baby Safe Is Important
Although bassinets are extremely safe places for your baby to sleep, there comes a time when they are no longer the safest option for your baby to sleep in.
It is important to make sure that you read all of the information about the bassinet when you purchase it, including the weight limit of the bassinet to ensure that your baby is safe when they are sleeping.
It can be difficult to move your baby from a bassinet to a crib, but it is important to remember that the older that they get, the more unsuitable the bassinet will become.
Choosing a crib is important as you want to make sure that it is good quality so that your baby is safe and secure, and this will make the transition from bassinet to crib easier for both you and your baby.
This means that you should never put your baby inside the bassinet when they are over the indicated weight limit. It could be dangerous for them as the bassinet is not designed to be used by a baby over the weight limit.
You mustn’t put your baby in the bassinet if they are over the weight limit as you want to make sure that they are as safe as possible.
Although the bassinet may not break when your baby is slightly over the weight limit, the balance of the bassinet may become affected.
If the bassinet is unstable, there is a risk that your baby or the bassinet could fall over if it is moved.
Making sure that you stick to the weight limit of the bassinet will ensure that your baby is safe when they are in there.
When your baby has outgrown the weight limit, this is a clear indication that you need to move them to a crib where they will be safer and more stable.
The typical weight limit for bassinets is often between 20lbs and 30lbs, but you must check your bassinet to see what the weight limit is.
Signs That The Bassinet Is No Longer Suitable For Your Baby
Knowing when to move your baby from a bassinet to a crib is very important for their safety and their comfort, but what are some of the other signs that your baby has outgrown their crib?
Here are some of the other ways that your baby has become too big for their bassinet and needs a change.
Your Baby Is Too Tall
If your baby is too tall for the bassinet, then they need to move into a crib.
It will be uncomfortable for your baby to have their feet touching the edge, but it also makes the bassinet unsafe for them to sleep in, as they could kick the edge and cause it to become unstable.
When you notice your baby is becoming too tall for the bassinet, you know you need to move them to make them more comfortable.
Noticing Discomfort
If you notice that your baby is experiencing discomfort in the bassinet due to not being able to move around properly, then it is no longer suitable for them to sleep in.
Your baby may become distressed when they are unable to move around or roll over in the bassinet as there isn’t enough room. This means that you need to make sure that they are no longer distressed by moving them to a larger crib.
Final Thoughts
To conclude, many signs show that your baby has outgrown a bassinet and is ready to move into a larger crib.
Although a bassinet is extremely safe to put your baby down for a nap, the older, bigger, and heavier your baby becomes, the more unsuitable the bassinet is for them to sleep in.
Moving your baby into a crib will ensure their safety and make sure that they are comfortable when they sleep.
Carly Link, a 33-year old mother of two toddlers. She is a parent and goes through a lot of the usual parenting difficulties herself. Carly shares all her experiences and knowledge about the best baby products through this blog.
