Written by: Jenn Schoen, Certified Pediatric Sleep Consultant
Transitioning your baby from a bassinet to a crib is one of the first major milestones, and it often comes with equal parts excitement and nerves. Many parents wonder when to move their baby, how to make the transition smooth, and how to support safe, restful sleep during the change.
The good news: with the right timing and a consistent plan, most babies transition beautifully. This guide walks you through when to move your baby to a crib, how to make the shift comfortable, and what to expect in the first few nights.
When to Transition Your Baby From Bassinet to Crib
Most babies transition from a bassinet to a crib between 3–6 months, but there’s no single “right age.” The best time depends on your baby’s growth and mobility. More than anything, look for the signs that your baby has outgrown the bassinet—physically or developmentally—and is ready for a safer, more spacious sleep environment.
Below are the key readiness signals.
1. Your Baby Is Outgrowing Weight or Height Limits
Every bassinet has weight and height limits, and babies reach them faster than many parents expect. Even smaller or earlier babies often outgrow their bassinet by 3–4 months.
Keep in mind:
- Your baby doesn’t need to look cramped to have outgrown the bassinet
- The manufacturer’s limits matter most
- Once your baby nears the max weight or height, overnight sleep in the bassinet is no longer safe
When in doubt, transition to the crib early rather than late.
2. Your Baby Is Rolling or Showing Increased Mobility
Any sign of rolling—back to side, side to stomach, or even a strong attempt—means the bassinet is no longer a safe sleep space.
Rolling babies need:
- More room for safe repositioning
- A firm, large sleep surface
- The ability to move freely
Cribs are designed for this developmental stage, so it’s best to make the transition as soon as you see signs of rolling.
3. Your Baby is 3 Months or Older and Is Beginning to Form Sleep Habits
At around 3 months, babies shift from fragmented newborn sleep to the early stages of more adult-like sleep cycles. As this transition happens, they also begin forming sleep habits—both helpful and unhelpful ones.
If your baby relies on a bassinet with automated rocking (like a Snoo) to move between sleep cycles, it’s a good time to transition them into a crib. Staying in a motion-assisted sleep space too long can lead to dependence on that rocking to fall asleep or resettle overnight.
When this happens, babies may struggle more at bedtime and experience increased night wakings—patterns that often require sleep training to undo later.
How to Make the Bassinet-to-Crib Transition Smooth
The shift from bassinet to crib doesn’t need to be overwhelming. With a few intentional steps, you can help your baby feel safe and confident in their new sleep space.
Here’s how to ease the transition.
1. Recreate Familiar Sleep Cues
Babies sleep best when things feel predictable. When you change the sleep space, keep everything else exactly the same.
Use the same:
- Sleep sack
- White noise
- Bedtime routine
- Dark room
- Cool, comfortable temperature
These cues send the message: “We’re doing the same routine we always do—we’re just doing it here.”
When the sensory environment stays consistent, the crib feels like an extension of their normal sleep setup—not a brand-new experience.
2. Make the Crib Safe Sleep–Friendly
A safe sleep environment is essential for both safety and comfort. The crib should be a simple, breathable space that gives your baby room to move freely.
Follow these safe sleep guidelines:
- Keep the crib completely bare
- Use a firm, flat crib mattress
- Ensure the fitted sheet is snug
- Avoid pillows, blankets, bumpers, stuffed animals, and positioners
A bare crib not only aligns with AAP safe sleep recommendations—it also supports freedom of movement as your baby grows more mobile.
And remember, even if your baby is rolling over, always place them on their back to sleep.
3. Stay Consistent (This Part Matters Most)
Once you start using the crib, consistency becomes your strongest tool. That means, use the crib for bedtime and all naps. Moving back and forth between the crib and bassinet tends to make the adjustment longer and more confusing for your baby.
If naps are short or a night feels rocky, it’s okay to:
- Offer extra rocking
- Provide more cuddles
- Slow down your bedtime routine
- Give additional reassurance
But keep your baby in the crib. Familiarity + repetition = comfort.
What to Expect During the First Few Nights
Like any developmental transition—rolling, swaddle removal, changing nap patterns—the shift from bassinet to crib often comes with a short adjustment period. Your baby is processing a new space, bigger boundaries, and more room to move.
Here’s what you might notice:
- A little more fussiness at bedtime. Your baby may need extra soothing as they learn the feel of the crib. This is normal and temporary.
- Shorter naps for a few days. Daytime sleep is sensitive to change. As the crib becomes familiar, nap lengths typically rebound.
- More movement or repositioning. With more space, babies tend to wiggle, scoot, and rotate around the mattress—healthy signs of mobility.
- New sleep positions (adorable and strange). Side sleeping, frog-leg lounging, face-down butt-in-the-air—babies get creative. As long as they got there on their own and the crib is bare, these positions are safe.
Most babies fully adjust to crib sleep in 3–7 days. Some take longer, some adapt almost immediately. If the first night feels a bit bumpy, think of it as your baby learning something new—not a sign anything is wrong.
Consistency, comfort, and patience go a long way.
FAQ: Transitioning Your Baby From Bassinet to Crib
Parents often have a lot of questions when making the move from bassinet to crib—especially around timing, safety, and how to keep sleep on track during the change. These quick answers address the most common concerns and help you navigate the transition with confidence.
When Do Most Babies Move From Bassinet to Crib?
Usually between 3–6 months, based on size, mobility, and sleep development.
What if My Baby Rolls in the Crib?
Rolling is safe—as long as your baby is not swaddled and the crib is clear of loose items. Always place your baby down on their back to sleep to start. If they roll to their side or stomach after that, it’s OK to leave them like that.
Can I Put Anything in the Crib to Help Them Adjust?
No. For safety reasons, it’s best to keep the crib completely bare. Use a sleep sack instead of blankets.
How Long Does the Transition Take?
Most babies adjust within 3–7 days with consistent routines.
Do I Need a New Bedtime Routine When My Baby Transitions to the Crib?
No—keeping your bedtime routine the same provides predictable sleep cues that can actually make the transition go more smoothly.
What if Sleep Gets Worse During the Transition?
Temporary disruptions are common. Stick with the crib, offer support, and give your baby time to adapt.
Want Personalized Sleep Support? Poppins Can Help.
If you want expert guidance for building independent sleep skills or preparing for sleep training, Poppins offers:
- Customized bedtime routines
- Age-appropriate sleep schedules and wake windows
- Support for regressions, naps, and night wakings
- Evidence-based sleep training plans
Better sleep starts with the right foundation. We’ll help you build it. Schedule your free sleep consultation with one of our certified pediatric sleep consultants here.
