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How to Get Your Baby to Sleep in a Bassinet for the First Time

By Elvie Editorial Team
How to Get Your Baby to Sleep in a Bassinet for the First Time

Is a bassinet the best choice for my baby?

If bedtime is becoming a battle, it’s completely understandable to question whether the bassinet life is right for you and your baby, but your little one will eventually learn to love it. In the early months, it’s common for babies to resist change, but with time and patience they often settle into a routine, and their bassinet will become a safe and familiar space.

According to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), babies up to 12 months should sleep on their backs on a firm, flat surface, and a bassinet provides just that. What’s more, due to its compact size and mobility, it allows you to keep your baby close, which can be especially helpful during nighttime feedings or when you need to change a wet or dirty diaper.

What’s the difference between a bassinet and a crib?

Good question! Put simply, cribs are larger and intended for long-term use. Bassinets are geared towards the first few months of your baby’s life. They’re compact, and portable — ideal when your little one is, well, still on the smaller side, and may benefit from being closer to you.

Generally, you’ll want to transition your baby from the bassinet to a crib by around the 3-6 month mark.

What about smart bassinets?

Used appropriately, tech can be a huge help when it comes to parenting — especially during those early years — and as a female-founded company obsessed with female-first tech, this is something we’re rather passionate about.

Smart bassinets are just like regular bassinets, but come equipped with one very special feature — they’re able to gently rock, mimicking the soothing motions you’d usually have to perform yourself.

Some models may also incorporate in-built speakers and adjustable lighting, but it’s essential to check they fully comply with safe sleep recommendations — for example, any white noise should be at least 2 meters away from your baby’s head, and motion settings or in-built soothing functions should be used cautiously, as over-reliance on automated motion may interfere with independent sleep development.

Getting your baby to sleep in a bassinet for the first time

So you’ve picked out the perfect baby bassinet, unpacked and constructed it, and now you’ve just got to put it to good use. Here’s how to help your baby adapt to their new sleeping environment and ensure they’re happy sleeping in a bassinet for the next few months to come.

Check your bassinet thoroughly

Before placing your tot down into the bassinet, make sure everything is set up correctly. Double-check that the mattress is firm and fits snugly without any gaps. Make sure the bassinet is placed on a flat surface, and that it’s free from any potential hazards such as loose bedding or toys.

It’s also worth looking into the bassinet’s weight limit, to ensure it’s safe for your baby’s size.

Establish a consistent routine

Babies thrive on routine. Having a bedtime ritual provides a sense of security and helps signal that it’s time to wind down, so even if things are rough in the beginning it’s important to persist with sticking to a routine as best you can — the schedule can be flexible, but try to make sure you do the same things in the same order each night.

Relaxing, calming rituals like a warm bath or gentle cuddle are all ideal lead-ins to a lie-down, but remember: consistency is key. Sometimes change is unavoidable, but where possible, try to keep your tot’s twilight timings and pre-sleep activities as predictable as you can. This way, they’ll understand that sleep is coming.

Try swaddling

Swaddling is a super useful (and completely adorable) way to help your baby feel more secure in their new sleeping space. There is a right way to do it though, so be sure to follow these approved steps:

  1. Lay the swaddle blanket flat on a safe, clean surface in a diamond shape. Fold down the top corner to create a straight edge at the top.

  2. Gently place your baby on their back in the center of the blanket with their shoulders aligned with the top edge (folded part).

  3. Take the left side of the blanket and wrap it snugly across your baby’s body, tucking it under their back on the right side. Make sure the blanket is snug but not too tight. You should be able to fit two to three fingers between the swaddle and the baby’s chest.

  4. Fold the bottom corner of the blanket up over your baby’s feet and tuck it under the baby’s back. This keeps the baby’s legs in a slightly flexed position.

  5. Take the right side of the blanket and wrap it across your baby’s body, tucking it under the left side. Ensure that the swaddle is snug but allows for movement, especially around the baby’s hips.

  6. Ensure that the swaddle is not too tight around the baby’s chest or hips. They should be able to move their hips and legs slightly — this prevents hip dysplasia. Check that the baby’s face is not covered and that they can breathe comfortably.

  7. Gently place your swaddled baby on their back in the bassinet. Ensure that the bassinet’s mattress is firm and free of loose bedding or toys.

What makes swaddling so great? The startle reflex (or Moro reflex) often causes babies to react like an overly sensitive car alarm when being laid down to sleep — but swaddling has been shown to prevent this. It’s important to swaddle safely though, so remember:

  • Always place your baby on their back to sleep to reduce the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS).

  • Use a firm, flat mattress in the bassinet and avoid loose bedding.

  • Keep the swaddle snug but not too tight to allow for natural movement and to ensure comfort.

  • Avoid overheating by dressing your baby in light layers and checking that the room is at a comfortable temperature.

  • If your baby shows any signs of rolling, you need to stop swaddling immediately for safety reasons — and you should stop altogether by 16 weeks.

Don’t give up!

Adjusting to a new sleep space can take time, and it’s completely normal for the process to involve some trial and error.

Don’t be discouraged if your baby doesn’t immediately take to the bassinet. Persistence is key — keep trying, and be patient with both yourself and your baby. With consistency and a little creativity, you’ll find what works best for you both.

Remember, every baby adjusts at their own pace, and what feels like a struggle now will likely become a comfortable routine in time.

Where should I put the bassinet?

The safest place for a bassinet is in your baby’s room or your own bedroom, ideally right next to your bed. This way, you can keep an eye on them during the night, making feeding and diaper changes easier, while following baby sleep safety guidelines. Just ensure the safe sleep space is free of loose bedding, pillows, or toys.

Can my baby sleep in a bassinet if they’re rolling over?

Once your newborn baby starts rolling over, it’s best to move them to a crib, as bassinets are typically not designed to accommodate active movers. Rolling over in a smaller space can increase the risk of them becoming stuck in an awkward position — or in extreme cases, lead to Sudden Infant Death Syndrome — so transitioning to a crib ensures your baby sleeps in a safer, more spacious environment designed for movement.

Why won’t my newborn baby sleep in a bassinet?

If your baby’s struggling to sleep in their bassinet, there could be several reasons for this. Unfortunately, babies aren’t the most fluent at communicating their needs (that comes a little later!), but there may be a number of things contributing to their discomfort.

They’re gassy

Gas can be surprisingly painful for babies, especially as their digestive systems are still developing. If your baby seems fussy and uncomfortable after feeding, or if they squirm and grunt when lying down, trapped gas might be the issue.

What can help: Try burping your baby thoroughly after feeding, even if they fall asleep. You can also give gentle tummy massages or “bicycle” their legs to help move the gas through their system. If the problem persists, it’s worth discussing it with your pediatrician to rule out any underlying conditions, while an assessment with a feeding expert might be needed to ensure their latch and positioning on the bottle or breast is optimal.

They can’t fall asleep because they’re overtired (yes, really!)

While it might sound counterintuitive, an overtired baby will often have a harder time falling asleep. When they stay awake too long, babies’ bodies produce cortisol (a stress hormone) to keep them alert, which makes winding down for sleep more difficult.

What can help: Pay close attention to your baby’s sleep cues, such as yawning, rubbing their eyes, or becoming fussy. Once you spot these signals, it’s time to start your bedtime routine. Sometimes, an earlier bedtime or more frequent naps during the day can help prevent overtiredness and make it easier for them to drift off in their bassinet.

They want to be held

Babies are naturally wired to seek comfort and closeness, especially in the early months. If your baby falls asleep easily in your arms but wakes up when placed in the bassinet, they might be craving that physical connection.

What can help: One way to ease the transition is to offer something familiar in the bassinet, like a soft piece of clothing you’ve worn, so they can smell your scent — but make sure you remove this once they’re asleep to adhere to safer sleep guidance. You might also try holding your baby close for a few minutes after laying them down to help them feel secure.

Just be mindful to avoid creating a habit of only sleeping in your arms, as it could make transitioning to independent sleep even more challenging in the long run. It’s good to use naps as practice for settling themselves to sleep, but give them time to adjust and don’t put too much pressure on yourself.

They’ve got reflux

Reflux (or gastroesophageal reflux) is common in babies and can make lying flat uncomfortable, as stomach contents can move back up the esophagus. If your baby spits up frequently, arches their back, or seems uncomfortable after feeding, reflux could be contributing to their bassinet sleep struggles.

What can help: Keeping your baby upright for 20-30 minutes after feeding can help to reduce reflux. Your baby may also benefit from having some of their naps in a sling or baby carrier so they can stay upright. If the reflux seems severe, consult your pediatrician for advice on managing it (an assessment from a feeding expert could be useful too).

How to get baby to sleep in bassinet: Expert tips

So you’ve introduced your little one to the bassinet, and things are going more or less according to plan —joys! Here are a few extra tips to keep you and your baby sleeping through the night:

Find your baby’s wake windows

Remember how we mentioned that overtiredness can lead to fussiness and irritability in your baby? Well, this overtiredness is usually caused by overstretching their wake window — the amount of time they spend awake between naps.

It’s important to note that wake windows are not evidence-based or set in stone — some babies may stay awake for more or less time than the guidelines advise — but they can be a useful guide to tracking your baby’s normal sleep patterns.

For newborns, wake windows are often very short, but as they get older, these windows gradually lengthen. It’s important to observe your baby and see what works for them, but establishing their “ideal” wake windows can be beneficial once bedtime rolls around. For more information, check out our dedicated guide to wake windows by age.

Get the temperature just right

Just like us adults, our little ones sleep better in a room that’s not too hot or too cold, but it’s not just about comfort — overheating can increase the risk of SIDS.

Aim to keep the room at a comfortable 68-72°F (20-22°C). Dress your baby in light layers, and if you're using a swaddle, make sure it's breathable and appropriate for the room temperature. A good rule of thumb: your baby should feel warm, but not sweaty, when you check the back of their neck or chest.

Use the 5 S’s

If you haven’t already come across Dr. Harvey Karp’s famous “5 S’s” method for soothing babies, let us introduce you. These techniques mimic the calming sensations of the womb and can help your baby settle into their bassinet and stay asleep longer:

  1. Swaddle: Wrapping your baby snugly helps recreate the security they felt in the womb, and prevents the startle reflex from waking them up.

  2. Side or stomach position: Hold your baby on their side or stomach while soothing them (but always place them on their back to sleep once they’re calm!).

  3. Shush: A constant shushing sound mimics the sounds of the womb and can be incredibly calming — if you’re using a white noise machine, it’s important to ensure it’s no louder than 50 decibels and at least 2 meters away from your baby.

  4. Swing: Gentle, rhythmic motion, like rocking or swaying, can help lull your baby to sleep. If your bassinet has a rocking feature, even better.

  5. Suck: Offering a pacifier or allowing your baby to suck on their thumb can be very soothing and can help them self-settle if they wake in the night — though not all babies will accept a pacifier or suck their thumb.

Just as introducing your baby to anything unfamiliar can be a challenge, encouraging them to sleep in a brand new bassinet for the first time can take a little perseverance. If they don’t settle into their new sleeping arrangement straight away, remember that by establishing a consistent sleep routine, swaddling them before bed, and above all staying persistent, they’ll soon be sleeping soundly in their bassinet.

More questions?