Help with Sleeping in Crib!

In April the College Park chapter of Mocha Moms is teaming up with the Laurel Moms Club to bring nationally renowned speaker Kim West author of “GOOD NIGHT, SLEEP TIGHT: The Sleep Lady’s Gentle Guide to Helping Your Child Go to Sleep, Stay Asleep and Wake Up Happy” with co-author Joanne Kenen . Published by CDS Books in January 2005
West has spoken to numerous parenting groups across the country about the importance of children’s sleep and how to gently teach your child to go to sleep and sleep through the night.
Kim West received her master’s degree in Clinical Social Work from Simmons College in Boston, Massachusetts. She lives with her family in Annapolis, Maryland .Visit her website at www.sleeplady.com
This event will take place on April 10, 2008 at 7pm at Our Savior Lutheran Church, 13611 Laurel Bowie Rd. (Rte 197), Laurel, MD 20707. The ticket price is $10.00 in advance and $15.00 at the door. For more information about this event please email ____@____.com

I agree with the previous poster, if he is sleeping well in the bassinet, let him sleep there a bit longer. My son did not sleep in his room until after he was six months old. Maybe try giving him his naps in there or maybe try sleeping in the same room with him for awhile. I know mom's who have slept on the floor while transitioning their children to their own rooms.

my daughter was the same way. I had her sleep in the bassinet of the pack-n-play for a few weeks. I would then put her in her crib to play and watch the mobile while I took a shower, did chores, etc. eventually she would fall asleep. it wasn't too long when I could just lay her in the crib and she'd fall asleep.

K., the recommendation to move a baby to a crib at 4 months is essentially arbitrary. Many babies are just too big for the bassinet by then. Some are too active for a bassinet, and some are even strong enough to begin trying to pull themselves upright using the crib bars (which would make sleeping in a bassinet unsafe). But as long as your son is comfortable in there -- and he must be comfortable if he's sleeping through the night -- why mess with a good thing? (If it ain't broke, don't fix it!)

When he becomes uncomfortable in there, he'll let you know. Also, babies grow and develop so rapidly at this age, he may "change his mind" about his sleeping arrangements quite suddenly. I'd say relax, stay in tune with his development, and don't lose sleep over this -- he obviously isn't.

The only precaution I might take if I were you is to place the bassinet on the floor, rather than on a bassinet stand. Will be harder on your back, but that way, if he does manage to flip it over, he won't be harmed.

Maybe he's just not ready?

It sounds like he's falling asleep in the bassinet, you transfer him into the crib, he wakes up and cries. My suggestion would be if you're set on making this work either let him cry in the crib and fall asleep or let him sleep in the bassinet.

I am having a similar situation. I am trying to transfer my 10 months old baby girl from our bed to her crib. It is becoming very challenging. I start letting her take naps in her crib so she would get used to it. When I do this she takes cat naps. At the daycare she would sleep in the crib for hours. The daycare provider always tells us, she never has a problem with my baby sleeping in the crib but we do at home. My only suggestion is to have patients and make this transition for your little one comfortable as possible.

Have you tried a pak n play in the interim? It's bigger than the bassinet but not as big as the crib. You could put it in his room next to the crib. I like the idea of moving him after he falls asleep too. If he starts waking up in the mornings in his crib, he may adjust sooner. Have you tried letting him play in the crib while he's awake? Side crib toys, musical items etc.
Are you still trying to swaddle him? Tough at that age, but perhaps it is just the vastness of the space like you mentioned.
Last suggestion would be to to just establish his routine and stick to it. He will eventually adjust in time. Maybe rock and sing to soothe him, then to the crib (not falling asleep in your arms). The routine in the end usually wins out. The back and forth is what causes confusion.
I wish you success!