Need Help Getting 8 Month Old to Sleep in Crib

I had the same problem with my son when he was little. He refused to sleep in his crib at all!! Finally, we ended up putting him to bed, and we had to let him cry for 10-15 min at a time. We would then go in and comfort him, without picking him up. Once he was calmed down, I would leave the room, and continue to come back every 10-15 mins until he finally fell asleep. It took about a week or two but finally he started to sleep in his crib. I hope this helps...Good Luck!

Hi!
Have you tried the method where you put him in the crib and stay next to him until he falls asleep and then leave? Each night you do this you move a little farther from the crib. I have heard this works. As far as the letting him cry it out 20 minutes is not very long. My son has always slept in a crib and around 6 months tried to cry during naptime. I let him cry for an hour--going in every 10-15 minutes to check on him until he fell asleep. It only took a few days of that and the crying stopped. he's been a great sleeper ever since!! Just some ideas!
Good Luck,
L.

I had trouble too when my son was little. I used to sleep on his sheets. Many experts suggest putting a baby to bed drowsy, not sleeping. Maybe you can rock him until he is almost asleep and then place him in bed. If he won't do that then maybe try rocking him all the way asleep for starters and then slowly switch to putting him in bed drwosy. Even now, my son is 18 months old, sometimes I have to rub his back until he falls asleep or just place my hand on his back. I always put on soft music too for naptime. Good Luck. I feel your pain!

I gave up on putting my daughter in the crib for her nap, because she would scream too. For naps only, we allow her to sleep on the floor, couch, or in our bed. We usually lay down with her until she falls asleep, but on some days she will find her place on the floor and put herself to sleep. I know the bed is so unsafe, but we put large pillows around her and closely monitor her. When she is out, she doesn't move. At daycare, she sleeps on a cot close to the floor. My daycare provider does not have to lay with her -- she knows the routine. She just likes to test her parents. (:

Hi A....

You might want to spary some of your cologne or body wash or something that smells like you onto their blanket or toys in the crib. Maybe if he can smell you nearby it will be calming for him.

J.

I admit, I gave up putting them to nap in a crib. I felt it was safer to lie down with them. By the time you get them settled down, they are almost alseep, and transfering them to the crib can reignite the whole process. Each child is different. So find what works best for both of you and stick to your guns. Nothing is more stressful to me than a mother who is ignoring the little bully that can develop slowly, but surely. You don't want that for him, so when you feel you've simply had enough, be tough and put him in the crib with hugs and kisses and move right around the corner, out of sight, but close enough to know he's safe and do something you really like to do, like have a cup of coffee or tea, read a favorite mag, or watch a soap. The important thing is to believe he is going to get rest and so are you.

Boy have I been there you think they will never get in there but they will. You just keep doing it 20 min for my daughters was not long enough I would maybe go in there and just let them know that your still there or rub the back or belly they will try to stand up and just try to lay them back down. If you know they are feed, clean diaper and tired just let them cry they will fall asleep eventually I promise. It took about 2 weeks and my daughter now sleeps wonderfully I waited till she was 13 months though. Good luck oh I also sing and stand and rock mine I sing like 2-3 little songs and I still do it she loves it.

my older daughter also hated her crib. At daycare- she slept in an oversized bouncy seat.

How about putting him on a futon on the floor?

we put mine on our mattress which is on the foor and has rails....

go with your heart and don't let him cry it out

My son was younger (4-5 months) when we worked on napping in the crib but I started on the AM nap. It is the most consistent and for us the longest nap. I would put him in his crib for this nap and then the 2nd nap we co-slept...I needed sleep too. Once he "mastered" the AM nap we worked on the PM. It finally all worked out. I suppose if you got really desperate and things aren't working (which may happen b/c he is older and much more aware) is just put your mattress on the floor and let him continue to sleep in the bed without a safety concern. You could do this while working on crib sleeping. Or just take his mattress out of the crib and put it on the floor in his room. He will get used to the crib but it will take awhile, it is a big transition. Good luck!!!