7 Reasons Why Baby Hates Bassinest [& What To Do]
Following the features and numerous positive reviews on Halo BassiNests, new parents are crazy for it, but they are disappointed when the baby refuses to sleep in it. If you are reading this article, your little one has probably refused to sleep in the $199 bassinet, and you must be wondering, why does my baby hate the Halo BassiNest?
Your baby might not be sleeping well in the Halo BassiNest because it is uncomfortable or something else keeps them awake. For instance, the baby might be hungry, suffers from startle reflex, or hates sleeping on the back. Therefore, before you conclude that the baby hates the Halo BassiNest, look around and ensure that they are comfortable.
Getting a new baby to sleep is one of the greatest challenges new parents face. As you prepare for the arrival of your little one, it is crucial to invest in a quality bassinet like the Halo BassiNest. Training the baby to sleep in the bassinet from day one is safe for the baby and allows you to heal and rest.
However, it is crucial to understand the sleeping patterns of your baby. You could have the best bassinet but still struggle with getting your baby to sleep. For that reason, we will discuss some of the main reasons why your little one hates sleeping in Halo Bassinet.
Reasons Why Baby Hates Halo BassiNest
Halo BassiNests feature among the best co-sleeping products on the market. The BassiNest is safe for the baby and convenient for the parent. You can set it up so that it is right in your bed, allowing you to sleep with your baby without sharing a bed.
With such features, some parents assume it to be magical and hence a huge shock and disappointment when the baby refuses to sleep in it. If your baby hates the Halo BassiNest, below are some possible reasons why:
The baby is hungry
Babies’ metabolism is faster than adults’ because of their fast-growing bodies. Therefore, your baby will be full now and hungry the next minute. The need for frequent feeds is even higher during growth spurts.
A hungry baby will be restless, and they cannot sleep irrespective of the quality of your bassinet. Therefore, if your baby is wailing in the Halo BassiNest, they might be hungry, and all they need is a feed, not a change of sleeping surface.
Gassy baby
A gassy baby will not sleep comfortably as well. Gas mainly forms after the baby is fed, and you might not realize it until the winning and crying begins. To protect your little one from the effects of gas, ensure to burp them after every meal.
If you have just fed your baby and they seem not to sleep, try to make them release the gas, and you will be surprised how fast they fall asleep after that.
See also Why halo bassinest not level
Dirty diaper
A newborn communicates through crying and uncomfortable movements, and as a parent, you should figure out the problem. So, if they are well fed and burped, what else could be preventing them from sleeping? Have you checked the diapers?
A wet baby is a fussy baby, and they will not rest until you remove the soiled diaper. A dirty diaper makes the baby uncomfortable, and worse, can lead to skin irritation or allergic reactions.
If you have not yet mastered how your baby responds to a wet diaper, invest in diapers with wetness indicators. Wetness indicators change color, say from yellow to blue, when the diaper is full, which helps you change the baby in time.
Unfavorable temperatures
It is important to ensure that the room temperature is favorable for the baby. If the room is too hot or cold, the baby will find it hard to sleep in the Halo Bassinet. So, what are the correct temperatures for the baby room? Baby specialists recommend that the baby room be maintained at 68-72 degrees (F).
No internal clock
Newborns do not have a sense of time. Therefore, they are not able to differentiate day and night. If this is the case with your baby, you should start training them to stay up during the day and rest at night.
To register this in their growing minds, keep the lights on during the day, keep them awake longer, and come up with a sleep time routine.
Startle reflex
Babies are born with startle reflex as the first response to danger and it is triggered by light, movements, or noise. In response to these, your baby will throw arms and legs in the air, suddenly move their back or head, cry or pull their legs in. Although startle reflex interrupts their sleep, it is very common and indicates that they are healthy.
See also What to do when baby hates swaddling but startles
The Halo bassinet is not comfortable
The Halo bassinet guarantee maximum comfort for your baby. However, babies are different, and the BassiNest might be uncomfortable for your child for whatever reason. For instance, some babies hate the swivel movement.
Anxious parents
On some occasions, the problem is neither the baby nor the bassinet but the parent. First-time parents especially do not want to hear their baby cry or fuss at all. Therefore, anytime the baby makes an uncomfortable cry or movement, they rush to rescue. This anxiety is confused with the baby hating the BassiNest.
If you are suffering from this anxiety, try to put down your baby in the bassinet and let them calm them themselves. Resist the urge to pick them up immediately, and in no time, they will be okay to settle on their own.
See also How to Make Halo Bassinest Mattress Comfortable
What To Do When Baby Hates the Bassinet
We understand that it can be very frustrating when the baby refuses to sleep where they should, even after purchasing a very expensive bassinet. At the same time, you should understand that your baby was used to the comfort of the womb, which cannot be compared to any bassinet.
Therefore, be patient with them and try to make the BassiNest as comfortable as it can be. Below are several things you can do to help the baby sleep in the bassinet.
Start early
The best way to make your baby get used to the Halo BassiNest is having them sleep in it from day one. This way, they will learn to sleep at the comfort of the BassiNest but not your arms.
Place them in the BassiNest before they fall asleep
Many babies refuse to sleep in the bassinet because they are used to sleeping in the warmth of their parent’s hands. It is okay to rock the baby to sleep, but place them in the bassinet before falling asleep. Also, resist the temptation to pick them up immediately if they struggle to fall asleep alone. Give them at least three minutes, and this way, they will learn to self sooth.
Swaddle
Swaddling gives babies the womb feeling and helps them with the startle reflex. This way, they can sleep better and longer in the BassiNest. What’s more, different swaddling techniques work for different babies; therefore, try as many until you find the swaddling method that works for your baby.
See also Can baby sleep in halo bassinest if rolling
Create and stick to a bedtime routine
If you are struggling with a baby who won’t sleep, this is not the first time you are reading or hearing about the need for a bedtime routine. A bedtime routine is one of the greatest gifts a parent can offer the kid and themselves.
A consistent routine helps the baby differentiate day and night, which helps them sleep throughout the night. So, what does a bedtime routine look like?
A routine can include one or more of the following activities, a bath, massage, calming sounds, cuddling, quiet play, or reading for the baby. Note that babies are different, and create a routine that works for your baby.
Move the BassiNest away from your bed
New parents want to keep the baby closer to their bed to make nighttime feeding and changing easier. However, some babies will not sleep well if they can smell you close to them.
If this is your case, push the BassiNest some meters away from you. The advantage of a Halo BassiNest is that it swivels in 360 degrees, making it easy for you to push it away and pull it closer to your bed if need be.
See also Why baby moves to side of bassinet
FAQ on Baby Hates Halo BassiNest
How Do I Get My Baby to Sleep in a HALO bassinet?
Some babies get comfortable in the bassinet from day one, while others take time before getting used. If your baby is in the latter category, exercise a lot of patience and make the BassiNest as comfortable as it can get. This can be achieved by swaddling the baby, maintaining favorable temperatures, and ensuring the baby is well-fed and dry.
When Should a Baby be Out of a Halo Bassinet?
The halo BassiNest is recommended for babies up to 5 months or 20 pounds. Transition the baby from the BassiNest when they start showing signs of rolling over or sitting independently.
How Do I Make My Baby More Comfortable in a Bassinet?
If your baby keeps crying when you place them in the bassinet, they are probably not comfortable. To help them sleep better, keep the bassinet warm, remove extra beddings, dress the baby appropriately for sleep, ensure that the diaper is dry and baby is well fed.
See also Snuggle Me in Bassinest Is It Safe?