Do you really need a changing table? How important is a rocking chair? Is a swing worth the space it takes up? Newborns sleep a lot, so your baby will be spending a lot of time in their sleeping space! Is a crib or a bassinet a better choice for those first few crucial months? Both cribs and bassinets can be safe sleep choices for a newborn. However, they have several important differences.
The most obvious one is size — a crib takes up a lot more space than a bassinet, so a bassinet can be easier in a smaller house. Their smaller size also makes bassinets more portable. In addition, many bassinets have a hood or cover that you can pull over while baby is sleeping. Bassinets are also easier to use for many parents. Cribs, on the other hand, can be used for much longer — some even convert to toddler beds and can last for years. Cribs are typically more expensive than bassinets as well, but since they last longer, the total investment is lower if you go straight to a crib.
When choosing whether to buy a crib or a bassinet, the first thing you should consider is where in your house you want your baby to sleep. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend that newborns sleep in the same room as the parents, but in a separate sleeping space.
A bassinet could be a good investment for the first few months. Even if you have a big house, you might consider a bassinet for its portability. That way, you can move the bassinet around the house to keep your baby close to you during naps and nighttime sleep. Another factor is price. Ease of use is something else to consider. Medical Review Policy All What to Expect content that addresses health or safety is medically reviewed by a team of vetted health professionals.
Getty Images. Newborns love snoozing in snug quarters, but now that your infant is getting bigger, you may be wondering when to make the switch from one cozy nest to another. Back to Top. In This Article. Where Should Baby Sleep? Continue Reading Below. Read This Next. Your 3-Month-Old's Sleep Schedule. When Do Babies Start Teething? View Sources. First Year. First Year Groups. Go to Your Baby's Age. Please whitelist our site to get all the best deals and offers from our partners.
Your Baby's Vision Development. Follow us on. About two-thirds of babies are able to sleep through the night on a regular basis by age 6 months. Babies also have different sleep cycles than adults.
Babies spend much less time in rapid eye movement REM sleep which is dream time sleep. And the cycles are shorter. The following are the usual nighttime and daytime sleep needs for newborns through 2 years old:. Once a baby begins to regularly sleep through the night, parents are often unhappy when the baby starts to wake up at night again. This often happens at about 6 months old. This is often a normal part of development called separation anxiety.
This is when a baby does not understand that separations are short-term temporary. Babies may also start to have trouble going to sleep because of separation anxiety. Or because they are overstimulated or overtired. Common responses of babies having these night awakenings or trouble going to sleep may include the following:.
Sleep problems may also happen with illness. Talk with your baby's healthcare provider if your baby begins having trouble going to sleep or staying asleep, especially if this is a new pattern. You can help your baby sleep by recognizing signs of sleep readiness, teaching him or her to fall asleep on his own, and comforting him or her with awakenings.
Your baby may show signs of being ready for sleep by:. Babies may not be able to create their own sleeping and waking patterns. Surprisingly, not all babies know how to put themselves to sleep. And not all babies can go back to sleep if they are awakened in the night.
When it is time for bed, many parents want to rock or breastfeed a baby to help him or her fall asleep. Creating a bedtime routine is a good idea. But don't let your baby fall asleep in your arms. This may become a pattern. And your baby may begin to expect to be in your arms in order to fall asleep. When your baby briefly wakes up during a sleep cycle, they may not be able to go back to sleep on their own. Babies who feel secure are better able to handle separations, especially at night.
0コメント