Babies are born with their head down, but they start to turn around when they reach 2 months old. They will continue turning over and then upright again at 4 months. At 6 months babies have turned over 90% of the time and by 12 months they are completely upright!
The first few weeks after birth are crucial for your baby’s development. Your baby needs to learn how to move from one position to another. During these early days, it is very important that you take care of yourself so that your baby does not get hurt. You need to make sure that you are well nourished and hydrated.
It is true that there are many different types of bassinets, but what really matters is which type suits your family’s lifestyle best?
There are several factors to consider before making a decision about bassinet or crib. Here are some things to keep in mind:
1. Size:
You may want a bassinet for your newborn baby, or maybe you would like to have him/her sleep in a crib. If you choose bassinets, the size of the bassinet is going to depend on how big your home is and where you live. A bassinet that fits into your living room might not fit into someone else’s bedroom.
2. Infant bed:
Infant beds are very convenient because they can be placed next to your bed for the first few months. This is especially useful if you need to feed your baby during the night and do not want to disturb your sleeping husband or other children. Also, some of these bassinets have a side that can be lowered so that your baby is at the right height for you to nurse him or her.
3. Crib:
Cribs, whether they are small or large, can be placed in your bedroom or the nursery. This allows you to sleep during the night while still making sure that your baby is close by. Also, if you have multiples (twins, for example), it is a good idea to have their bassinets/cribs in the same room so that you can keep a closer eye on them.
4. Size of your home:
If you live in an apartment or small home, you probably will not have room for a full-size crib. In this case, you may want to buy a mini-crib that can be folded up and placed in a closet when it is not being used. If space is not an issue, however, you may want to buy a regular-sized crib that your baby can use for several years to come.
5. Safety issues:
Check the safety of a crib (and any other furniture you buy) before you purchase it. Cribs must have a firm mattress that is covered with tight, smooth sheets. You should not be able to fit even a finger between the mattress and the crib. This will prevent your baby from getting his/her legs caught between the mattress and the crib and help prevent SIDS.
6. Live and Let Live:
You may find that your lifestyle is more compatible with one crib over another, but you have to make the final decision based on everyone in the household. For example, if you are a heavy sleeper and your husband is a light sleeper, a mini-crib that can be placed in your room may be more convenient for you.
Sources & references used in this article:
Easy-access safety bassinet by P Long – US Patent 8,429,771, 2013 – Google Patents
tip by AS HONIG – researchgate.net
Easy-access safety bassinet by P Long – US Patent 9,226,594, 2016 – Google Patents
Effects of contextual composition of category triads on semantic interrelatedness among members by LA Low – Bulletin of the Psychonomic Society, 1988 – Springer
