Is it Safe for a Newborn Baby to Sleep in a Crib?

It’s safe for newborn babies to sleep right away in a crib or bassinet. If the crib meets the safety standards, you can put your baby to sleep in a crib from day one. Read on the learn how to safely put a sleeping baby in a crib.

This article will cover:

• Where should a newborn baby sleep?
• Is it OK for a newborn to sleep in bed with you?
• How do you safely put a sleeping baby in a crib?
• Takeaway

Months before our first child was born, my wife and I looked for the best crib to use. 

Babies sleep mostly through their first few months, so it’s one of the many things, especially first-time parents like we, had to put into careful consideration. Others would advise to not sweat it and just let the baby sleep where he sleeps best. But that can’t be entirely true. Some places are safer for newborn babies to sleep in, and some can prove riskier.

Seeking for the perfect baby crib, but you’re unsure where to start? Check out this list I created of the best baby cribs to buy.

Where should a newborn baby sleep?

Whether it’s in a crib or a bassinet, make sure the baby is in a safe and comfortable position.

Newborn babies sleep a lot, but they also wake every couple of hours for feeding. Because of this, it’s acceptable to share one room with your baby instead of putting him in a separate nursery room. However, putting your baby to sleep in the same bed as yours is a no-no. Bed-sharing with a baby is one of the leading causes of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).

Can a newborn sleep in a crib right away?

Newborn babies can sleep in a crib right away, but it’s more convenient to have your baby near you when it’s time for feeding. You can simply scoop him up from the bassinet or mini crib beside your bed rather than get out of bed to pick him up in the nursery.

You can have your baby start with a bassinet in the first several weeks. Once he’s outgrown the bassinet and is sleeping for a more extended period, you can transfer him to the crib.

At what age is it safe for a baby to sleep in a crib?

Between 3 to 6 months, you will realize that it’s time for the baby to transition from the bassinet to the crib, especially when he’s beginning to get too big for the bassinet.

This transition should be done gradually. Your baby needs to become familiar and comfortable with his new sleeping environment first. One way to achieve this is to let him take naps in the crib during the daytime. Do these for a few weeks or until you think it’s time for them to use the crib on a daily and nightly basis.

Moreover, if you plan to let him sleep in a nursery, I would advise starting with his crib in your room for a few days before letting him sleep in a separate room.

How to get a newborn to sleep in a crib?

Getting your newborns to sleep in a crib is not something that can be achieved overnight. Your baby needs to get used to this new sleeping environment and a lot of patience from you as a parent. 

These are some valuable tips on helping your baby sleep in the crib:

• Leave your scent: Babies have a strong sense of smell and are particularly attached to their mother’s scent. It can help to put your worn but clean shirt near the newborn baby to make him feel that you’re near.
• Warmth: The drastic change of temperature when transitioning to a cold bed can be frustrating for your baby. It’s best to swaddle him while feeding and ease him gently into the crib. If your baby’s too big for the swaddle, try using a sleeping sack.
• Soothing comfort: Put your baby in the crib when he’s tired but not exhausted. Stay beside him and give him a soothing belly rub. You can also sing to him (don’t worry, babies don’t judge).

Is a crib or bassinet better for a newborn?

Both are safe choices for your baby. It’s only a matter of practicality to choose one over the other. 

Before you decide which one to acquire, here are some things you have to consider:

• Sleeping space: Is your master bedroom spacious enough to fit a crib? If not, getting a bassinet for your baby will be most convenient.
• Long term use: Bassinets are relatively smaller than a crib, and it also has a weight limit. Your baby can quickly outgrow a bassinet in only a few months, while a crib can be helpful for a few years.
• Portability: Bassinets are smaller and lighter than a crib, making them easy to carry around.
• Budget: Cribs are more expensive than bassinets. You can buy a bassinet first while saving up for a crib in a few months.

Can a baby sleep in a bassinet overnight?

Your baby can sleep the whole night in his bassinet, and it’s definitely a safer sleeping option than bed-sharing with your baby. You must be aware of the possibility of your baby falling off the bed or someone rolling over him while asleep. 

For your baby’s safety, let him sleep in his bassinet.

Do you have to use a bassinet for a newborn?

There’s no official recommendation from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) to prefer the use of bassinets over others. They encourage babies to sleep on their backs on a firm and flat surface (wherever that is for your baby).

Which is safer: a crib or a bassinet?

A crib and a bassinet are both safe sleeping options for your newborn. All your newborn baby needs is a comfortable and safe space to sleep in. As long as the crib or bassinet has a firm and flat surface and no other objects that can pose a danger, then it’s a safe place for your baby to sleep in. 

However, once your baby learns to roll over, you should not let him sleep in a bassinet where he might fall off or hurt himself.

Is it okay for a newborn to sleep in bed with you?

It’s totally okay to sleep in the same bed as your newborn baby, as long as you know that the risk of SIDS is highest when bed-sharing. 

These are the dangers of letting your baby sleep in bed with you:

• Suffocation:  The soft blankets and pillows are safety hazards to your baby.
• Being rolled over: Many adults move a lot when asleep, and with newborns on the same bed, it’s a severe risk.
• Falling off of bed: No matter how low or high your bed is from the floor, your baby can suffer long-term severe injuries if he or she falls.
• Getting trapped: You might put your baby on the side of your bed close to the wall so he won’t fall off, but he can get trapped between the mattress and the wall.

These are the only circumstances where it is okay to let your baby sleep on your bed:

• Your baby is older than four months: Firstly, you must always put your baby to sleep on his back. Second, your baby must be capable of rolling back from his tummy and lifting his head. This makes sure that he can remove himself from a prone position, such as lying face down.
• Tidy and minimalist bed: The surface of your bed should not be too soft. Make sure you put away toys and extra blankets and pillows. These things are among the leading causes of suffocation among babies while sleeping.
• One-baby only: Share your bed with just one baby, so it’s easier to look after him. Bed-sharing with toddlers and older children might endanger your little one.

How do you safely put a sleeping baby in a crib?

This might sound obvious, but the safest way to put your newborn baby in his crib is by doing it gently.

Moreover, if your baby is only a few weeks old, swaddle him (others call it the “burrito technique”). According to AAP, swaddling helps calm your newborn and promotes sleep. This snuggly position mimics the comfort of the womb and helps keep the baby warm. Your newborn baby may display startle reflexes due to sudden movements and loud noises. Swaddling helps soothe your baby during these short episodes and prevents him from waking up crying. 

Using a sleeper is another safe option.

Also, don’t put your baby down right away. You might want to hold him for a few more minutes to make sure he’s fast asleep. In my experience, it’s helpful to have music playing in the background. Preferably instrumental music, since the human voice can get your baby’s attention and disturb his or her sleep. The sound of music drowns out any other noises that could also wake your baby.

1- Position in the crib

AAP recommends laying your newborn baby down on his back, not face down or sideways. More than 5000 infants succumbed to SIDS before this recommendation but have since declined to around 2,300 deaths per year. It’s still a sad statistic, but it means that we, parents, should not take our newborn babies’ sleeping positions lightly.

2- Mattress

The mattress should be flat, bare, and firm. If using bedding, make sure it fits tightly around the mattress, and the mattress should fit with little than two fingers onto the bed.

3- Inside the crib

Avoid putting blankets, pillows, or toys inside the crib. You also shouldn’t cover your baby’s head, and make sure you don’t wrap him in thick layers of cloths that could lead to overheating.

4- Location of the crib

If your baby is still transitioning from a bassinet to a crib, you can place the crib near your bed. However, the crib should be at a safe distance away from any furniture, curtains, or cords since these are strangulation hazards.

5- Safety standards

When buying a crib for your baby, especially if it’s second-hand, make sure to follow these safety reminders:

• The crib’s slats (if applicable) should be no more than 2 3/8 inches apart so your baby cannot fit through.
• Screws and other parts of the crib should all be installed appropriately. Nothing should be left loose.
• There should be nothing in the headboard and footboard that can get your baby’s head trapped.
• The mattress should tightly fit onto the floor of the crib.
• If the crib is mesh-sided, the mesh should be less than ¼ inch.
• There should be no tear on the mesh or any loose thread.

Takeaway

There’s no such thing as being “too careful” when it comes to the safety of our little human potatoes. Whether you’re using a crib or a bassinet, it’s important to remember your baby’s vulnerabilities and capabilities and adjust their sleeping environment accordingly.

You don’t need to worry. Your newborn baby can safely sleepy in a crib.