Moving your baby from a bassinet to a cot

Moving your baby from a bassinet to a cot can be a big step for both you and your baby.

However there will come a point when your baby no longer fits inside their bassinet or moses basket and it’s time to move them into a cot to sleep.
 

When to move your baby from a bassinet to a cot

The transition from a bassinet to a cot is different for each baby and is not necessarily based on their age.

It might be time to move your baby if they’re kicking the end of their bassinet, hitting the sides with their hands and possibly even waking themselves up because of it.

Some bassinets also have safety restrictions with regards to the weight of the baby that can sleep inside.

Another reason for moving your baby into a cot and their own room is when you’re being woken up, not because of feeding, but because your baby is just so noisy and it’s hard to ignore.
 

Tips on moving your baby from a bassinet to a cot

 

1. Swaddling & baby sleeping bags

Babies often outgrow their bassinets from around 8 – 12 weeks old.

If you’ve been swaddling your baby up until this point, it maybe a good time to introduce them to a baby sleeping bag before you move them from their bassinet to their cot.

This is a positive sleep association. The sleeping bag becomes a sleep prop that your baby knows and recognizes and will make their transition to a cot a lot easier.
 

2. Using the same sheets or soft toy

When the time comes to move your baby to a cot, try to use the same sheets your baby has been sleeping on for a few days.

A smell is very receptive for your baby, so using a sheet or cuddly toy without washing it helps comfort them in their new sleep environment.
 

3. Put the bassinet into the cot

Try putting the bassinet, with your baby in it, into the cot for the first few sleeps.

Visually babies know and recognize their environment they are sleeping in.

So giving them the visual anticipation of knowing where they are going to sleep is a positive sign.

After a few days you can put them straight into the cot.
 

4. Keep your baby’s routine the same

Just because you’re moving your baby from a bassinet to a cot doesn’t mean their feeding and sleep regime needs to change.

Remember your baby will respond best to consistency. There may be a few days of restlessness, so try not to give in.

If you stray from your baby's normal routine they will accustom themselves to a new routine and it will be harder to get them back to what you had in place previously.
 

5. Be consistent

Once your baby has moved from a bassinet to a cot try not to move them back into their bassinet.

Inconsistency wreaks havoc for babies and toddlers.

Source: This article was kindly written for us by Trish Martin – Baby Specialist. Providing support and advice for you and your baby.
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