If a baby is happy and comfortable sleeping in a crib, there is no particular age or size limit that must be reached before she can move into a crib. However, if a baby does prefer something different (such as a bassinet or cradle), there will come a point when transitioning to a crib is inevitable.
Age
Mark A. Brandenburg, an emergency physician at the St. Francis Hospital in Tulsa, Oklahoma, says, "Most babies outgrow bassinets by the time they're 3 months old." When a baby is a newborn, they sometimes prefer the security and coziness a bassinet provides. But a baby can quickly outgrow their bassinet or cradle and be ready to sleep in a crib. According to the website Women's Healthcare Topics, most manufacturers recommend that a bassinet be discontinued around 4 to 6 months of a baby's life.
Weight
Each bassinet lists a manufacturer's suggested weight limit. According to the website Women's Healthcare Topics, most bassinets hold up to 15 pounds. If a newborn exceeds that weight limit, the bassinet can become unstable and be more prone to tipping over or collapsing.
Sitting Up
According to Babycenter.com, once a child can sit up, a bassinet or cradle becomes a danger. This is because they are shallow and a baby can easily fall out or tip the bassinet over. A crib is the best option to ensure safety.
Crib from Day One
According to the website Overstock.com, if used correctly, a baby can sleep in a crib starting on the first day of her life. This is as long as the baby prefers it and there are no additional items (stuffed animals, pillows, etc.) in the crib, which can pose a suffocation hazard.
Safety
Some parents do not choose to use a bassinet or cradle and instead elect to co-sleep. Although according to AskDrSears.com this can be done safely, there are some instances when co-sleeping should not be an option. If a parent is under the influence of drugs or alcohol, a baby should be placed in a crib. In addition, a crib should be used if a parent is sleep deprived and is not as likely to wake up if she rolls over onto her baby.
