How To Make Bassinet More Comfortable?

Well, before I jump into the topic. Let me tell you one thing: “There’s nothing that can make bassinets more comfortable.” Why because they’re already designed with the high-quality material needed to provide the maximum amount of comfort to your newborn baby.

But still, sometimes parents may think that adding things like a pillow, toys, even a soft blanket will help their baby feel more secure. The reality is that you are putting your baby at more risk.

In September 2012, Onsafey.cpsc.gov published a paper where they advised parents not to use any accessories inside a bassinet.

CPSC staff estimates that between 1992 and 2010, there were nearly 700 deaths involving infants 12 months or younger related to pillows and cushions placed in or near a baby’s sleep environment. Almost half of the infant crib deaths and two-thirds of bassinet deaths reported to CPSC each year are suffocations caused by pillows, thick quilts, and overcrowding in the baby’s sleeping space.

There is a lot of research available on the web that supports the same thing. Have a look at what the American Academy Of Pediatrics (AAP) has to say about the topic:

Now, to the point, if you can’t place additional items in the bassinet, then how you can make the baby bassinet more comfortable?

Well, there are a lot of things you can still do that’ll make your bundle of joy comfortable when you put them down in their bassinet. For example, place the bassinet near your bed, use a swaddling blanket, use trial and error to figure out what works.

Here are some tips and tricks that I have learned from my own experience as a mom of twins, and they work well for me. So, let me tell you how you can make your baby bassinet more comfortable.

1.) Place Bassinet Near To Your Bed:-

Babies like to be cuddled, and it makes them feel warm as well as secure. Being hugged and held by a loved one replicates the feeling of being inside a mother’s womb, an environment they were in for nine months.

A bassinet is pretty comfortable, soft, small, snug, and padded to provide the same warmth like a mother’s womb.

But it doesn’t have your scent or feels like you.

Suppose your baby is having trouble sleeping even in a bassinet. In that case, you can make her/him more comfortable by keeping the bassinet close to your bed.

That is the reason why some people prefer co-sleeper Bassinet like First Years Close and Secure Sleeper.

Having a warm, loving person nearby will comfort them and help them fall asleep quickly and remain asleep longer, as a study shows.

Watch the below video to understand what James McKenna Ph.D. Director, Mother-Baby Behavioral Sleep Laboratory, University of Notre Dame, has said:

There are plenty of other reasons why you should place your baby near you for safety purposes. When you are near the baby, you can monitor them more quickly and become alert as soon as they start making even a little sound.

This means you can quickly respond to and provide your child with whatever they need at any time of the day.

Also, moving your baby’s Bassinet next to your bed can be very beneficial for both of you. Your baby can feel your warmth and will have your scent around them.

This might be just what they need to help them sleep soundly through the night.

Co-sleeping is not a good fit for all parents, because some parents have a small-size bed or some move a lot at night like me, lol. Don’t take the risk at any cost.

For these kinds of parents, there are special kinds of bassinets available in the market called Bedside Bassinets. You can put the bassinet near your bed and adjust the bassinet’s height according to your bed’s height.

It’s very convenient for you as your baby is at an arm’s reach, so they can be soothed back to sleep and be easily fed during the night, without requiring you to ever get out of bed.

2.) Use Swaddle Blanket in Bassinet:-

The baby’s skin is susceptible to environmental change; a little change in the room temperature can interrupt the baby’s sleep.

Watch this video by Dr. Jagruti Anadkat, who explains how perfectly & safely you can Swaddle your Baby in a Blanket before placing him in the Bassinet.

Not only does a blanket function to keep the baby warm, but it also helps to make them snug.

Being wrapped up gives a feeling similar to the one babies are used to in the womb. They like being held closely. The blanket essentially simulates the feeling of being held and hugged, which is calming for them and extremely comforting.

You can get swaddle blankets in many shapes, sizes, and materials. Want one with an attached hood or a fleece lining? You can find it no problem.

The best thing is that these blankets provide comfort anywhere as you can use them in the bassinet, the stroller, or even on their own like a sleeping bag.

3.) Make Them Feel Secure In their Bassinet:-

The third important thing to keep in mind is to make sure that your baby feels safe & secure in their sleeping environment. If your baby doesn’t feel safe, they won’t go to sleep. It is as simple as that!

Offering just the right temperature, just the right angle for sleep and just the right amount of padding is essential. This does mean you don’t have to try a little trial and error as every baby has their preference.

Knowing exactly what your baby wants is essential. You’ll eventually figure out what your baby prefers because no one knows them better than you do.

Watch this video “Power Of Parents’ Touch”:

It would help if you remembered that babies come into the world from a very safe and closed environment. They develop for nine months in a warm, dark place, which is mostly noise-free and becomes snugger and snugger as your baby grows.

You cannot expect the baby to get used to the world instantly after birth. Newborns are fragile, and you need to give them an environment that mimics the conditions they are used to.

If you are trying to make things comfortable for your baby, then variety is key. Try using different bassinet blankets or sleeping positions so you can figure out what your baby likes.

This does take time, but once you know what your baby loves, it makes everything more comfortable and will let both of you get a good night’s sleep.

Here are a few tips:

1. The essential thing you can do is keep your baby warm. Layer clothes or wrap them up; make sure they are not exposed to even a gentle gust of wind.
2. Swaddling or wrapping up the baby is actually highly desired. Not only does this keep the baby warm, but it also gives them a feeling of being hugged and cuddled.
3. Keep noise levels down since babies are easily startled by loud noises. The same goes for bright lights because these can be difficult for the baby to process.
4. Try a vibrating bassinet to soothe your baby: but don’t forget to switch off the vibration when a baby falls asleep. Before using the vibrating feature, learn the right way to use it so that baby does not get addicted: Is a vibrating bassinet safe?
5. Play natural sounds & music. This helps babies fall asleep faster and stay asleep. Try different sounds and check which one your baby likes the most. (We talk about this more later on).

4.) Play Lullabies or Read Book:-

Babies enjoy soothing sounds, and this is the reason why most bassinets come with a mechanism that lets you play music and lullabies.

But is that true or not? Let me explain to you the science behind it.

According to research, musical sounds are processed in specialized areas of the brain.

Studies on babies indicate that even when they are only a few months old, areas of the brain responsible for processing music are stimulated when given appropriate cues.

There is strong scientific evidence that shows improved sleep in infants as a result of lullabies.

Because lullabies contain words and not just rhythm, they have also helped babies with cognitive and linguistic development.

Hearing words and sounds at such an early stage increases perceptibility and reception towards language in general.

Watch what Dr. Lynch says about “how music affects the health of the premature baby?”

Babies form deep connections with music and songs. It goes beyond helping them calm down and comfort them; your little one can be stimulated by music even in the womb.

When your baby hears the change in tone in your voice, they can discern the various emotions you are trying to convey.

In a nutshell, if you want your baby to feel comfortable in a bassinet, then play some music or tell them a story about how one little angle changes their life.

5.) Why Invest In a Premium Bassinet:-

You are following the above step in the best possible way, but if you don’t have a good-quality bassinet, then it’s a waste of time.

It is a worthwhile investment to buy a premium quality bassinet because bassinets are initially much better than a crib. They are cozy, snug, and comfortable, but all bassinets are not the same. They vary in prices, quality, features, and comfort.

Feel the mattress, read about the material it’s made out of, look at all the features and pay close attention to safety ratings: Does it meet the safety standards recommended by CPSC and are they JPMA certified bassinet or not.

When I was shopping for a bassinet, these were the questions I asked myself before buying one:

• Is it adjustable?
• Is the mattress thick enough?
• Are the sides soft?
• Is the bassinet bed going to align with my bed?
• Does it feel and look high quality?
• What additional features does the Bassinet come with?
• How can I customize it to reflect my baby’s needs?

It isn’t an easy decision, and a critical eye is necessary. This can make buying a bassinet time-consuming and exhausting. Still, ultimately you are buying your baby’s first bed, and that will take you a bit of time and effort.

Look at the list of the Best Bassinets 2022 are available out there and designed as per the baby’s need.

Note:- Remember, your little one will be spending most of their time laying in their bassinet for at least the first 5 to 6 months of their life before you have to stop using it for baby safety. Please read the below two articles to know the best time to stop using it.

• How Long Can a Baby Sleep In a Bassinet?
• At What Age Should a Baby Stop Sleeping In a Bassinet?

Winding Up

I am 100% sure that 90% of your problems will be solved using the above tips and tricks because it works for me! It is not easy to manage the baby, especially when you are first-time parents.

Sleeping is essential for babies, as most of their growth occurs while they sleep. So, a quality bassinet plays a key role in doing so because it is snug, lightweight, portable, affordable, requires a small space, is easy to clean, and generally has additional features like the ability to rock and soothe.

Apart from that, don’t forget to clean your bassinet properly. Having a clean and hygienic sleeping environment is very important for the baby’s health.

In the end, I want to share with you one secret, which is called the “5S RULE”. Follow this simple step, as shown in the video below, to put your baby to sleep.

Now, it’s your turn. Let me know what you do to make your bassinet more comfortable. Share your tips and tricks, and let us help other moms like you to make a quick decision.

And don’t forget to share this guide if it helps you!