12 Mo. Old Transitioning to Crib

We just talked about this at our La Leche League meeting today. I know what you mean by not wanting to let them cry it out. Today a mom suggested a way she weaned her one year old from both night nursings and co-sleeping. She would feed her daughter in bed to sleep while she had dad rub her daughters back. Slowly she would nurse less and dad would rub the back more until she learned to fall asleep without nursing. Then dad put her down in her crib by just rubbing her back, and she said it worked really well. She said the most important thing was to make bedtime a goodtime, not too much change too fast. I wish I would have known this because we did let our daughter cry, and it took about 5 days, and it was awful! Whatever you decide to do good luck!

Hi B.,

I really believe that the easiest and fastest way to get your baby in his own bed is to put him in there at naptime and bedtime. It will be harder on him and you to do a little at a time...that is like teasing. He will probably never be really happy until you get him use to the idea, and that is not going to happen if one time you put him in his crib and the next time you let him sleep with you. I know you said you didn't like the cry-it-out method, but believe me it won't last long, and when you are successful with moving him into a crib you will find that he is a much happier, and so are you. I know I said that letting him cry won't last long, but that doesn't mean it will be easy for any of you...one of the hardest things to do is listen to a baby cry, and not do anything. As long as you know that he is dry and his tummy is full try your hardest not to give in. The best advice I can give you is "be consistent, and follow through" always. This works for lots of situations with our children. I wish you the best...and I bet once you get him in his crib you will find that his smiles have doubled.

C.

Try naptime first, then put him in the crib when he's very sleepy like half awake. Also might help to have the crib in your room and slowly every few nights make it farther and farther from your bed and room until he's in his own room. Maybe use a pack/n/play if easier

I know from my own experiance if you don't transition them quickly they never leave your bed LOL ha ha My 7 year old still trys to climb in my bed and settle for my floor most nights. My newborn just made it in our bed too as she sleeps horribly in a bassinet and is up all night. So I'm gonna have to transition her over to a crib when she's older too.

First, I want to say that I did not co-sleep with any of my 3 children due to the loss of my neice at a young age (6 weeks). For me, I never felt safe with them in my bed after that loss.

Anyways, I was not all for the cry it out method either, but it turned out to be the only way.I used this when weaning my son, I nursed til he was 13-14 months or so.

If you try other things, such as rubbing their backs, rocking and such, that is just one more step you will have to "wean" them from at some point. It is different on all kids on how long it takes, but keep a positive routine, bath, story, tell him/her you love them and will see them in the morning, or whatever works for you family. It will get better as long as you stick to your guns and do not let them back in your bed once you take this step. It is hard, but stay strong.

Really kids need to learn to fall asleep on their own. It is tougher on the parents most of the time, but in the end it will be for the best. Better sleep for all!! Good Luck, it is tough!!