When to Move Your Baby to a Crib
Many babies start in a bassinet and move to a crib within the first few months. Here’s how to know when it’s time and how to make the switch easy.
Ready to choose?
We compared 10 cribs on safety, convertibility, build, value and design - full-size, convertible, mini and travel cribs, for every nursery and budget.
The usual timing
Most babies move to a crib somewhere between 3 and 6 months, though some go straight into a crib from birth. The trigger is usually outgrowing the bassinet - by size, weight limit, or the baby starting to push up and roll.
The signs it’s time
- Your baby is nearing the bassinet’s weight or length limit.
- They can push up on their hands, roll, or sit - bassinets aren’t safe once a baby is that mobile.
- They no longer fit comfortably or keep bumping the sides.
Always follow the bassinet manufacturer’s stated limits - those are the safety cutoff.
Making the transition smooth
- Keep the same bedtime routine so the crib feels familiar.
- Try naps in the crib first before full nights.
- Keep the crib bare and safe (see our safe-sleep guide).
- If room-sharing, you can keep the crib in your room at first, then move it to the nursery.
If you skip the bassinet
Plenty of families use a crib from day one - it’s perfectly safe with a firm flat mattress and safe-sleep setup. A newborn simply uses the highest mattress height so you’re not bending too far to lift them.
Ready to choose?
We compared 10 cribs on safety, convertibility, build, value and design - full-size, convertible, mini and travel cribs, for every nursery and budget.