Transitioning to Crib - Independence,MO

I would first try naps in his crib for a couple days. This will get him used to the room & crib. It will also help you since you can check in on him more while he's napping. Also, use a fan (not blowing on him) or something for white noise. He's used to hearing you breath & this will help him sleep. I'm sure it will be harder on you than him. If you have a video monitor, you'll feel better about him sleeping in his crib/room. Then if he makes a little noise, you can just look at him & see he's ok. He'll learn how to get his paci back & self sooth very quickly. He'll do great... and so will you. Good luck!

My advice - just do it. With our daughter, she slept in our room for 2-3 months, then we just moved her to her crib. I've found that most of the hang ups with her sleeping habits are MY hang ups, not hers. She was just fine after a few nights in her crib. I think you'll find that you and your baby will sleep better in separate rooms, at least that's how it was for us. It might take a night or two for him to adjust, just keep at it. Swaddling is a great idea.

Good luck!

My daughter will turn 4 months in a few days and we have been working on sleeping in her crib at night. At first I just put her in there one night...yeah that didn't work we were up all night. So I started laying her in the crib durning her naps and then laying her in there at night. It seems to be working. So I would try something along those lines. HE will eventually get used to it just be patient.

Hi, I'm a mom of four and have been in your situation. I've read your responses and they all have sound advice!!! It's hard for any mom to just "let go" of their baby and let them sleep in their own room! With my first son, I was a single mom. He slept in my bed until he was two years old. My second son slept with my husband and I for awhile and then we placed him in his bed. He would cry through the night but with time, he became accustomed to it and has always slept in his own bed. With my next child, my husband and I decided to "do it right" and put her in her own bed just as soon as she grew out of her bassinet. With her in the beginning she would cry a bit. But with her we did the same routine everytime we layed her in her bed. We would hug her tell her to go to sleep and get some rest we would lay her down put on her musical bunny and LEAVE. We would shut the door. The first few days, I'd say, were sorta nervy for us only. I wanted to rush in with the first wimper. But my husband reminded me that she would be ok. If she got too out of hand we would go in and simply rub her back, tell her she was ok and start the music up again and LEAVE! Being consistant really was the key to getting her to sleep in her own bed. She KNEW exactly what to do and we got used to her not sleeping in our room. With my fourth child, I was not so strong. My husband was moved to third shift and I tended to let her sleep with me alot. I'd have to say that she is three years old still crawls into bed with me at least two nites a week. I definately think that keeping the child on a consistant bedtime routine in their own bed is beneficial to the child even though it is so wonderful to have your children snuggle with you at night. Good luck!

I know this is going to sound harsh, but I would just put him in the bed. He will eventually get used to it. It sounds like you are the one that is having the most trouble, not your son. Yes, you may need to go in to comfort him once or twice, but you make sure he is OK and then pat him back to sleep. Believe me it will work. I have 5 children and 11 grandchildren.

I'm no doctor, but my son just turned 7 months old in Dec and I'd say the sooner the better on trying him in his crib. We transitioned early and I think it made a lot of difference. A lot of mom's I know overanalyze situations like "transitioning" and I've been told it's common for a first time mom to feel this way. I definetly did with some issues.

But, as my son grows older I'm realizing that it will take him time to get used to everything new...and I don't need to worry myself to death about trying to create this perfect little environment for him. This is a good opportunity to let go a little and allow him to try out his crib, realizing that he may not sleep exactly the same way or like it at first..but that doesn't mean you need to take him out if he fusses the first few nights. Being a mom is all about being flexible and not getting too used to a "pattern" because as soon as you are, it changes! :)

Hi there A.,

It is so hard to change sleeping habits! I for one, am not the best to give advice. My daughter is almost four years old and she still sleeps in my bed. Hee hee! I think that you just have to go with your gut feelings. It sounds like you have a good plan. Go with that. You are the Mom, and you know what's best for your little one. Starting slowly might be good. Maybe just taking naps in the crib at first. That will help your transition a little bit. That way, you are awake when he is in the crib and can listen for him until you are comfortable sleeping while he is in there.

Good luck to you!

C.
www.EnhanceYourWayOfLife.com