Getting a baby to sleep in a bassinet is like trying to retrieve the drawstrings that have become lost in your favorite jogger shorts. Theoretically, it’s possible. But actually doing it is another thing entirely. 

Babies don’t sleep in bassinets for all sorts of reasons: they’re uncomfortable, it’s too hot, they’re hungry—you know the drill. In my experience, almost anything can prevent them from nodding off and giving you a break. Even bouts of gas can get in the way. 

So what can you do? 

Fortunately, I have some tentative answers revolving around the use of bassinet sheets. I’m not going to guarantee that these methods will work every time. But applying them could help in your situation. You never know. 

How Bassinet Sheets Can Help Your Baby Sleep

Bassinet sheets can help your baby sleep in several ways. 

They Help Get The Temperature Right

First, high-quality bassinet sheets help regulate your baby’s temperature. Products made of breathable fabric allow air circulation and remove excess moisture. These do a good job of preventing your baby from getting too hot or cold. 

Getting the temperature right should be at the top of your priority list when you want your child to sleep in a bassinet. Babies—as you probably already know—are heat-sensitive creatures! 

Ideally, you want the temperature in your baby’s room between 68°F and 72°F. Avoid the temptation to stifle them with extra heating above this—they don’t need it. 

They Make The Bassinet More Comfortable 

Bassinet sheets can also make sleeping more comfortable for your child. Products are often softer than conventional mattresses and made of soft, breathable materials, like cotton, that make for a more inviting surface. 

Usually, you can tell if your baby is uncomfortable if it starts crying after putting them in the bassinet. Using a bassinet sheet frequently solves this problem. 

Don’t use coarse materials, like wool, for bedding. These can irritate your baby’s skin and make it harder for them to flop off. Trust me—I know all about this from bitter experience. 

They Improve Hygiene

Finally, bassinet sheets improve hygiene by acting as a barrier between your baby and the underlying mattress. I can’t tell you how many times these products have saved me from dribble, reflux, and diaper leaks! This extra cleanliness provides a safe environment for your child to slumber in. 

The Best Materials For Bassinet Sheets

Now you know why bassinet sheets help your baby sleep, the next step is to choose a suitable material. As with apparel, the fabric you choose makes all the difference. 

Here, you have numerous choices. Most parents opt for organic cotton. It’s soft, breathable, and doesn’t contain any nasties, like pesticides, that could work their way into your baby’s developing body. It’s also a natural product, reasonably good for the environment, and has natural properties that help your child regulate temperature.

Bamboo is different. It’s super-soft and has moisture-wicking properties that stop your baby from getting sweaty at night. I like it because it regulates my baby’s temperature and prevents her from squirming all night. It’s also one of the most sustainable materials out there. 

Many parents also use muslin cotton because of its loose weave and breathability. It’s great for warmer climates, but won’t do much about diaper leaks. The same applies to linen. 

Microfiber is another option. It has the benefit of being supremely moisture-resistant, meaning it will still look great even after several months of continuous use. 

If you’re worried about your baby making a mess of the bassinet, look for moisture-proof options. These usually combine traditional materials with safe waterproofing technologies. For example, I like to use organic or jersey cotton backed by a thin membrane underneath to stop spills and leaks from wiggling the mattress. 

Tencel is another option. Made of eucalyptus pulp, it is highly absorbent and can prevent liquids from reaching the mattress when combined with a membrane.

Sizes Of Bassinet Sheets

Bassinet sheets vary in size because of the underlying size of the bassinet. (Don’t worry if you feel puzzled, this confused me, too). As you shop around, you will find all sorts of measurements. 

Standard bassinet sizes are usually 16”x 32” or 15”x 32”. These fit run-of-the-mill bassinets and are easy to find. 

Don’t assume, though, that your bassinet will take them. Always consult with the owner’s manual to see whether these so-called “standard sizes” apply. 

If they don’t, you may require “mini” or “compact.” These are smaller, usually 12”x28” or 14”x29,” depending on the manufacturer. 

Fitted sheets are the most useful for awkward bassinets. These products have an elasticated section that hugs onto the mattress, making them easy to fit. Non-fitted sheets are like conventional bedsheets, requiring you to tuck them in. 

You can sometimes find stretchy sheets that you can mold to the shape of the bassinet. These are handy if you have a non-custom product. 

Related Products Available on Amazon

To help your baby sleep better and maintain the benefits of using high-quality bassinet sheets, here are some related products available on Amazon that parents have found incredibly useful:

1. Burt’s Bees Baby Fitted Bassinet Sheet
   • This organic cotton bassinet sheet is breathable and super soft, ensuring your baby stays comfortable throughout the night. Its snug fit helps it stay in place.
2. American Baby Company Waterproof Fitted Bassinet Sheet
   • Designed with a soft organic cotton surface and a waterproof backing, this sheet provides comfort and protects your bassinet mattress from spills and leaks.
3. Halo Bassinest Waterproof Mattress Pad
   • A custom-sized waterproof mattress pad designed for HALO Bassinest models, ensuring optimal comfort and protection.
4. Joovy Room Waterproof Sheet
   • Compatible with Joovy Room bassinets, this waterproof sheet is perfect for parents looking to maintain hygiene and mattress protection.
5. Graco Premium Foam Crib and Toddler Mattress
   • While not specifically a bassinet sheet, this mattress fits most mini cribs and can complement the use of bassinet sheets for added comfort and safety.

Scientific Insights on Safe Infant Sleep: Research and Guidelines

American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) Guidelines on Safe Sleep

The AAP provides extensive guidelines on creating a safe sleep environment to reduce the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) and other sleep-related infant deaths. Key recommendations include:

• Placing infants on their backs to sleep.
• Using a firm sleep surface with a tight-fitting sheet.
• Keeping soft bedding and toys out of the sleep area.

These guidelines emphasize the importance of appropriate bedding materials and sleep practices.

How To Maintain A Bassinet Sheet

Maintaining a bassinet sheet helps to retain the desirable properties discussed above. You want it to remain soft, breathable, and in the right shape. 

But how do you do that? 

• Rotate multiple bassinet sheets. I like to have several in my collection to avoid excessive wear and tear on one or two. 
• Wash regularly. I wash bassinet sheets around once per week to remove spills and diaper leaks. Getting rid of these quickly reduces the risk of further fabric damage. 
• Wash in cold or lukewarm water. I avoid washing bassinet sheets at high temperatures and instead rely on advanced detergents to remove stains and odors. 
• Spot clean. Sometimes I also spot clean bassinet sheet fabric to remove small problems to spare the rest of the material from the wash.

Reading this, you now should know how to get your baby to sleep in a bassinet. As I can attest from personal experience, nothing is guaranteed. But using the right sheeting and ensuring the environment is favorable can help tremendously.