7 Reasons Baby Won’t Sleep in the Bassinet—and How to Help Them

I showed up to the baby sleep scene prepared. I read up on safe sleep. I bought all of the best-rated gear. I prepped the room, ensuring brown noise was flowing and blackout curtains were hung with care. And yet, our sweet, precious baby said, “Lol.”

Bassinets are the gold standard for newborn sleep. But what do you do when baby won’t sleep in their bassinet? (Been there, navigated that!) Read on for advice from pediatricians, sleep experts and real parents to help you traverse the tricky terrain of baby bassinet refusal.

Key Takeaways

• Bassinet refusal is normal. A big reason why your infant won’t sleep in the bassinet is that a firm, flat surface is a big change from the warmth and motion of the womb.
• Consistency and practice help. Keep the bassinet in one location (in a well-prepped room), use the bassinet during naps and try to master the transfer.
• Look out for discomfort and medical issues. Make sure baby is fed, burped and changed before sleep, and consult your pediatrician if you suspect underlying issues.
• Follow safe-sleep recommendations. Keep the sleep surface flat, firm and bare, and practice room-sharing without bed-sharing to reduce the risk of SIDS.
• Prioritize your sleep. Sticking the bassinet landing may take time, and it can be exhausting. Divide night duties into shifts with your partner (if applicable) to ensure you get sleep while you wait.

Why Your Newborn Won’t Sleep in the Bassinet

If your newborn won’t sleep in the bassinet you’ve so lovingly prepared for them, it could be for a few reasons:

It’s a shocking change from their norm

A firm, flat surface is pretty much the opposite of a newborn’s sleep setup in the womb. “We have to think about this developmentally,” explains Macall Gordon, MA, a pediatric sleep consultant, temperament expert, researcher and co-author of Why Won’t You Sleep?!. “For nine months, this child was held and suspended and jostled during sleep, hearing Mom’s heartbeat. Then, we take them and lay them alone on a flat, unmoving surface. For them, it’s a completely foreign concept.”

They’re taking time to adjust to the transition

It’s possible that your bassinet-averse baby is just taking some time to warm up to their new sleep digs. Dr. Natalie Thoni, MD, a board-certified pediatrician at Orlando Health Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children, says that patience is key. “Like any new sleep environment, it can take days or weeks for babies to become comfortable with it,” she says.

Baby is going through a phase

Sometimes, temporary factors get in the way of baby’s sleep. Dr. Robert Quillin, MD, a board-certified pediatrician and medical director at Pediatrix Medical Group in Fort Worth, Texas, says bassinet rejection may be due to a change in sleep routine or an illness. Dr. Thoni adds that it could also be due to hunger or a growth spurt.

The environment is bothering them

Newborns are brand-new to the outside world after nine-ish months of warmth, motion and total consistency. Sometimes, a sound machine could help them drift off easier, as it can replicate the soothing sounds of the womb. (That’s why so many parents swear by the SNOO bassinet, with its sounds and motions.)

Also, points out Dr. Quillin, moving their bassinet around (say, from one side of the bed to the other) could be disrupting their routine. “Moving the bassinet puts the infant in an unfamiliar location and may even result in a lighting change or temperature difference,” he says.

Baby is awakened by the transfer

Sometimes, it’s all about the transfer. Some babies may be more sensitive to how and when they’re placed in the bassinet than others. Dr. Thoni adds that some bassinet failures could be due to the startle reflex, also known as the Moro reflex. “The sensation of being laid down can trigger a startle that wakes them,” she explains. This reflex is normal and usually subsides by about 12 weeks.

There’s an underlying medical issue

Sometimes sleep issues warrant further investigation. “If the bassinet resistance is extreme, it may not be the bassinet, but instead something like reflux or other conditions that make lying flat uncomfortable,” explains pediatric sleep consultant Gordon. “Check for feeding issues, digestion issues or even body tightness or torticollis that can make lying down painful.” If you have concerns, consult your pediatrician.

They’ve outgrown it

If baby was sleeping well in their bassinet and now suddenly seems uncomfortable or is waking more frequently, they may have outgrown it. “Increased activity such as rolling over and pulling to [their] knees would warrant moving to a crib and is also a safety concern,” says Dr. Quillin.

How to Get Baby to Sleep in Bassinet

If your newborn or infant won’t sleep in the bassinet, you’re far from alone. Here are some tips from experts and real parents on getting baby to sleep in the bassinet.

Practice often

“Practice, practice, practice!” suggests Suzy Giordano, an infant sleep specialist and author of Twelve Hours’ Sleep by Twelve Weeks Old. “Make a point of putting baby down in their bassinet if they fall asleep in your arms. They may wake up earlier than you’d like, but with practice you’ll see them sleeping longer and longer in their bassinet.”

Make sure baby is comfortable before transferring

Dr. Thoni says to feed, burp and change baby before placing them in the bassinet. Since babies can’t communicate what’s bothering them, this routine will ensure that at least those elements are accounted for.

Try a bedside bassinet

The physical proximity of a bedside bassinet may be just the solution baby needs. “We found that having a [bedside] bassinet worked really well because our daughter was easily and quickly accessible for feeds and changes, especially while I was breastfeeding,” says Holly C., a mom of one in Long Island, New York.

Keep the bassinet in a consistent place

A consistent environment for the bassinet may be more important than you’d think. “Keeping the bassinet in the same place helps with a familiar location and temperature for the infant,” says Dr. Quillin.

Transfer gently

Gently transferring baby onto a flat, cool surface is an art that, once mastered, can make all the difference. “If baby falls asleep in your arms, waiting about 10 to 20 minutes before gently placing them down may reduce the likelihood of startling awake,” advises Dr. Thoni.

Incorporate other sleep tricks

In some cases, the issue could be the room environment instead of the bassinet. Jeanine B., a mom of two in Indianapolis, says swaddling and using a white noise machine helped her babies take to the bassinet. “We also kept the room on the cooler side, which made a bigger difference than I expected,” she says.

Practice during naps

Dr. Thoni recommends using a bassinet for naps to get in some extra practice time. After all, daytime sleep can be a bit lower stakes. However, Gordon adds to keep your expectations low when it comes to bassinet nap length.

Give baby “in arms” time during the day

Since babies crave time next to a caregiver’s body, Gordon says helping them get their snuggle fix during the day may help them feel comfortable with the bassinet at night.

Check for underlying issues

If you’re concerned there’s an underlying issue keeping baby from the bassinet, it may be worth some due diligence. “If baby’s consistently difficult to settle, isn’t feeding well, seems uncomfortable during or after feeds, has trouble breathing or you’re concerned something else may be going on, it’s worth discussing with your pediatrician to rule out an underlying medical issue,” says Dr. Thoni.

Take shifts at night

Taking sleep shifts at night with your partner (if and when possible) may help you weather the bassinet refusal storm. “Have one person with baby for a five-hour stretch while the other partner goes into another room, puts in earplugs and dedicates themselves to some sleep,” says Gordon. While this tip won’t encourage baby to sleep in the bassinet, it’s an important tip for coping with sleep deprivation when they won’t (yet!).

Exercise patience

If you’ve tried all the things, sometimes it helps to know this is a season. “There’s nothing wrong with baby,” reassures Gordon. “It’s how they’re wired. It’s okay to take your time. Their ability to sleep on a surface will come online over time.” Practice safe-sleep tips while you wait, and fit your own sleep in as much as possible.

When Will Baby Get Used to the Bassinet?

Every baby is different, and will get used to sleeping in the bassinet on their own time. Some adjust in days, while others take weeks. “It’s important to remember that newborn sleep is naturally unpredictable,” says Dr. Thoni. “Frequent waking is normal and often related to feeding needs, not necessarily dislike of the bassinet. Parents shouldn’t feel discouraged if every transfer isn’t successful. Consistency is more effective than expecting immediate results.”

Once baby gets used to the bassinet, they can safely keep sleeping in it until they outgrow it. Most babies will sleep in a bassinet until they’re about 4 to 6 months, says Dr. Thoni, adding that it may be sooner if they reach the product’s height or weight limits or begin rolling over or pushing up. “At that point, a crib with a firm, flat sleep surface is the safer option,” she notes.

Why Baby Should Sleep in a Bassinet

The top reason baby should sleep in a bassinet is safety. Encouraging bassinet use is aligned with current American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) safe sleep recommendations.

“Bassinets provide a safe, separate sleep space specifically designed for young infants,” explains Dr. Thoni. Current safe-sleep guidelines recommend room sharing without bed sharing for at least the first six months and ideally for the first year when possible. “Keeping the bassinet in the parents’ room allows caregivers to respond more easily to nighttime feeding and comforting while giving baby their own protected sleep surface,” says Dr. Thoni.

More Safe-Sleep Tips for Newborns

Aside from sleeping in a bassinet, there are a few other AAP-condoned ways to ensure baby’s sleeping safely:

• Make sure baby sleeps on their back. This reduces the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).
• Using a firm, flat sleep surface. Use a firm mattress with a tight-fitted sheet specifically designed for that bassinet.
• Place nothing else in the sleeping space. “The safest sleep environment is a boring sleep environment!” says infant sleep specialist Giordano. This means no blankets, bumpers, stuffed animals or the like until baby’s at least one year old.
• Keep baby’s room cool. Keep the room temperature between 68 and 72 degrees Fahrenheit to keep baby safe.
• Room-share, but don’t bed-share. Baby should sleep in your room for at least the first six months, but ideally up to a year. Dr. Quillin recommends placing the bassinet where you can easily see baby.

To Sum It Up

If baby won’t sleep in the bassinet, it’s a temporary, albeit frustrating, issue—we promise. In most cases, they just need a little bit of time to get used to it, although other factors, like the room environment, can play a role. In the meantime, make sure you follow safe-sleep guidelines for baby and prioritize your own sleep to cope with this exhausting period.

How We Developed This Article

Many new parents get frustrated when their newborn won’t sleep in the bassinet. To figure out why babies don’t seem to like bassinets—and how to gently encourage them to sleep in this safe space—we spoke to two pediatricians and two baby sleep specialists. We also asked real parents about their experiences trying to put baby to sleep in the bassinet.

After editing, this article was vetted through fact-check and reviewed by our pediatrician medical reviewer. Learn more about how we ensure the accuracy of our content through our editorial and medical review process.

About the author: Kristen Bringe is a freelance writer and mom who worked through many baby sleep struggles when her daughter was an infant. Through her writing, she seeks to help other moms feel seen and supported throughout their motherhood journeys.

Please note: The Bump and the materials and information it contains are not intended to, and do not constitute, medical or other health advice or diagnosis and should not be used as such. You should always consult with a qualified physician or health professional about your specific circumstances.