Silly Question Only a First Time Mom Would Ask

I completely agree with Rachelle, new babies aren't use to all the space a crib can provide. She's just not ready, usually I've heard when their around three months, but I waited until mine was six mos. and she sleeps just fine in her crib now. Don't rush it, their not babies for long!!

Shes only 19 days.. I say keep her as close as possible.. If she cries, pick her up. Babies need their mommies and daddies.. I suggest Dr Sears method of parenting. My daughter is 3 1/2 yrs old and its worked good with her.. We still let her sleep with us when she needs to, etc.. I never let her cry it out or any of that and now she is soo loving and socially adapt. Dr Sears method says to pick them up when they cry(there is a reason for it),and rock them to sleep if they need it, they're only little once (: Read up about him. Good Luck (:

I'm curious, are you swadling her when you put her in there? It's much bigger then the bassinet so maybe she just doesn't like the larger space. At that young of an age she's probably still jerking alot. In the bassinet she's probably bumping the side where in the crib she's not. Make sure you're swadling tightly. Babies feel safer that way. If you're swadling try rolling up receiving blankets and putting them at her sides. Make sure they aren't up near her face. Or you could get one of those positioner things. I had one of those but the blankets worked better for my kids. She' came from a very snug place, it takes awhile to get use to being out. Good Luck!

L. - Not a silly question. I remember from one of the books I read, that newborns are used to tight spaces (like the womb) and don't like their cribs because it is so spacious. My son started sleeping in his crib for short naps when he was about 2 months old. He slept at night in the bassinet for his pack n play, too. At about 3 months (when I went back to work), he was used to his crib and began sleeping there at night. I would encourage you to transition your daughter sooner rather than later for your own sanity. Once my son began sleeping in his crib in his own room, I slept much better.

Don't let her cry, a baby is ment to be with their Mom. Get the book "The No Cry Sleep Solution" By Elizabeth Pantley. It will do wonders for both of you. There is alot of information in there about crying it out and how it is detrimental to your child. I know with a 19 day old all you want to do in your spare time is sleep, not read a book, but the book will help you tremendously.

Don't rush it, like many moms have said, she is only 19 days old. My youngest was in his bassinet in our room until he was about 2 months old. When it was time for him to be out of our room, we put his bassinet in his room, he was fine and within a month or so, we transitioned him into his crib. It was difficult, but swaddling them does the trick usually. I know it is hard, but hang in there!

I am also a new First time mommy. Congrats!! I think at that young of a baby cuddle them as much as they want. I don't believe you can spoil a baby that is that young. I think babies feel lost a big crib. Well it's big to them. We put DS in crib for naps around 4 weeks and eventually got there for nighttime sleeping. They don't know they are a little person yet. Your doing great!!

Not at all a silly question. It seems many babies dont like their crib at first. My baby didnt like taking naps in the crib but would sleep there at night. He loved the swing for naps. Before 3-4 months old it doesnt really matter where they sleep as long as its a safe place. Once 3-4 months gets close try to make some of the naps in the crib to transition. It could be difficult at first. Now IS NOT the time to let them cry it out though. They need to establish a trust with you before that happens. Again 3-4 mos is ok to let them cry a bit. stick with the bassinet and swing for now and enjoy the long naps while they last!!! :) You are doing great!
p.s. maybe try a sleep positioner. It gives them a snug feeling in such a big scary empty crib.

That is not a silly question at all. I had the same problem with my daughter who is now 9 years old. I ended up putting her in her crib because she got too big for her bassinet, she was a large baby. I would set up a routine for her. I would read her a short story, sing her a lullaby then say goodnight and put her in her crib with her favorite blanket. I would stay away and let her cry for about 10 minutes. Then I would enter rub her back, not pick her up, and tell her it is okay and then leave again. I continued this pattern 2 times then I would only enter and rub her back, no talking. She eventually would calm down and sleep. You must be sure she is tired before doing this or it will take forever for her to calm down. I hope this helps.
From: J.

Not a silly question. My son we started out in a bassinet in our room for the first several months but for naps we put him in his room in his crib, that way he was used to it. When we finally transitioned to the crib at night it went real smooth.
Good Luck!

Don't sweat it! You both are new to this and sleeping in a swing is not the worst thing ever. My son would only nap in his bassinet or his bouncer that vibrated for the first six weeks. Just slowly introduce her to her crib - maybe put her in there when she is awake with a toy to entertain her while you stand and talk to her. It could be that the crib feels too big and overwhelming for her right now.

Well I have three kids and I am probably not the most traditional mom. But here are a few ideas. Take the shirt off you wore during that day and lay your little one on it so he/she can smell your scent. I disagree with the fact that your little one is two young to fall asleep on their own or maybe I just got lucky. ;) The crib might seem like a very unsecure space for him so make it more cozy. But now to the nitty gritty....Little ones pick up the habit of I just want to be picked up. This is one of those things that I think is split down the middle with parents as well as pediatricians. Don't be so quick to go and pick him/her up you may be developing a pattern. Some times they need to cry. Its good for them to cry and build those lungs up anyway. I know I read somewhere that there is an appropriate time frame for various stages. I can't remember. I know in general I didm't let it go more than 20 minutes I can't say I abided that rule at 19 days old though. That may seem kind of long. Good Luck to you. Be patient it usually works itself out.

Try putting a T-shirt or a pillowcase that smells like you under her (make sure it cant get bunched up of course). Also, I wouldn't worry too much about it. We let my daughter sleep in her bassinet by our bed until around 2 1/2 - 3 months old before transitioning her to her crib.

your baby is too young to put herself to sleep. she needs you to help her get to sleep. by nursing or rocking or holding.

so if you put her in the crib she will fuss. at this young age all you can do is hold her - it is great that she likes the swing. my kids hated it.

rock your baby to sleep then put her in the crib.

get the book "healthy sleep habits happy child." it is the best book out there on kids and sleep.]

it helped me a lot.

My lil guy didn't like sleeping in his crib until he was about 2 months old. We just kept him in his bassinet until then.

I wouldn't let her cry at all if she is alone in her room. Other moms might say- "let her cry, she is fine." but why? Babies are used to hearing our heartbeats and the warmth of our bodies. If she is only 19 days old, I would hold her as much as possible. If you lay her in her crib, rub her back, talk softly to her.If she feels uncomfortable in there, hold her-sway with her in your arms until she falls asleep- then put her in her crib. Once she is comfortable with the crib, maybe you can turn on the crib visuals that you can buy nowadays (light-up displays that rotate), to stimulate her senses, and maybe then she can drift away to sleep alone. I think what is the most important thing right now for your little one, is to feel safe and secure. The most important time in a little person's life is the first 3 years of life. The impact on these first years makes a huge difference for the rest of their life. If they feel safe and secure now, they will be more independant later on in childhood and into adulthood.
I know you will do the right thing. It sounds like you already know the answers, and are a fantastic first mommy! Congratulations! Keep up the good work! :)

My daughter wouldn't sleep on her own (even in her moses basket) until she was two months old. She slept on my chest (and I actually got some sleep, too!) until then, and then we just put her in her crib when she was 8 weeks old and I went in there to soothe her every time she cried. I always thought that right after they're born, babies are so used to being warm and cozy in mama's belly that they aren't used to sleeping ALONE and COLD in a crib. THey still think they're on the inside until they start to stretch out. Of course, swaddling also helped for me. My daughter LOVED to be cuddled up in a toasty swaddling blanket, wrapped up very tightly. I would also recommend "Healthy Sleep Habits, Happy CHild." It was a great help to me (along with "Secrets of the Baby Whisperer" by Tracey Hogg) for the first year of my daughter's life. GOOD LUCK TO YOU!!! I remember those first months and how terribly tired I always was, but how every time I held my new baby, it was so worth it.

Give her some time. It may take her a while to get used to her crib. Our family Dr told us to pick our kids up as often as we felt we needed to. He said it is impossible to "spoil" them until they are about 3 months old. She is just a little thing and probably just wants you or maybe her tummy hurts when she lays down. Does she spit up a lot? If so she may have reflux and she wouldn't feel well lying down flat.

by daughter would only sleep in the bouncy seat until she was 3 months old. what i did was put her in her crib to play. she was in there for about 2-3 10- 15 minute play sessions each day with me and her toys and mobile to entertain her. she got used to it being a safe nice place and the transition was easier, although delayed, which was my fault :) no crying and no stress. swaddling also was a big thing since it is such a vast space for them . good luck and be patient.

Lisa, My daughter was the same way, I did have her in her crib the first week and she slept fine at night, but wanted nothing to do with her crib during the day, so I let her nap in her swing until she showed signs that she was getting disrupted and not sleeping good, then I tried the crib again and she took to it fine, that was at about 3 months, she was getting more on a routine per say and the swing was starting to be more of a fun thing to do, than sleep in it, be patient and don't fret, if she likes the swing than great.
Enjoy your little one!!! they grow so quick, my youngest is turning 1 on Dec 5th, I just can't believe how fast this year went by

Lisa,
First I am amazed you have time to get on the computer as a first time mom (hats off to you) I was usually passed out from exhaustion. I have 4 kids, each one different. I gotta tell you I didn't do things by the book, but none of my kids liked the crib (I would let them cry somedays and somedays not...a mom knows if a child needs attention or hungry, wet...you just kinda know). Our house is small so our kids went straight from our bed to toddler beds would I recommend this no, but I nursed my kids and was pretty lazy about the getting up to feed them. My kids are not spoiled when it comes to sleeping in thier own beds-they really go straight to bed when told. I just want to say what ever you decide just be consistent...I believe that is the key eventually your little angle will pick up on your cue.
R.