Getting baby to sleep in crib question

When you put baby to bed are they sleeping already, or do you put them in the crib while they are awake and hope for the best? Ive been putting her in the crib to try teach her to fall asleep on her own but it's like a saga every night to get her to sleep. If the mobile stops she cries, if she spits her paci out she cries, and this can go on until she has a wet diaper again, or she's hungry again, and then we start all over again. It's seems as though she does not like the flat mattress. During the day she has no problem sleeping in these things that cradle her like the bouncer seat or swing. If she falls asleep in them I move her to the crib and she's up within 5 min. She is 7 weeks old if that matters. Should I put her in the crib once she's asleep already? I read somewhere not to let them fall asleep on you because they will become dependent on it. Just curious what others have sone at this stage...

Re: Getting baby to sleep in crib question

I'm dealing with that know too. I've been putting her down and rubbing/rocking her a little while she's laying down. I try to get her to the point where she's can barely keep her eyes open, then I walk away.(just enough that she has to put herself asleep a little bit) Each night it's been getting better. Then I'm going to slowly rub/rock her less and less. I dunno, it seems to work for us

Re: Getting baby to sleep in crib question

My DD loved to fall asleep on our shoulder and then we would transfer her to the cradle or crib. Personally, I loved the extra snuggle time and didn't mind her needing that when she was so little. One day, she just didn't need it anymore and that was that. It never interfered with her sleep habits though but she's always been a great sleeper.

Everyone has a different opinion on sleeping methods but for me, I really had no problem with holding her when she was small and letting her fall asleep on us.

ETA - I think all babies hate the flat mattress, it's just not cozy. My DD was the same way early on but she got use to it.

Message edited 1/22/2013 1:23:41 AM.

Re: Getting baby to sleep in crib question

Im just napping my girls in their crib occasioally now but I have a box under one sode of the mattress so its on an angle. I've heard this is a good way to transition.

Re: Getting baby to sleep in crib question

We moved DS to his crib at 8w and we were rocking him to sleep in our arms, and then putting him in the crib. He cried for 5-10 mins before falling asleep. But he STTN once he was asleep.

After a few weeks we wanted him getting used to putting himself to sleep so we rocked him for maybe a minute or two until he was calm(er) and then put him down. He would fall asleep within 5-10 minutes. Sometimes he would cry. A few times he seemed pretty upset and we would go in there after a few mins and reassure him, rub him, talk to him, but not pick him up. This was always at a consisten bedtime as well.

I should note he slept swaddled, did not use a paci and did not have a mobile or nightlight. If any of that matters!

Good luck!!

Getting baby to sleep in crib question

DS was not able to fall asleep on his own at that age. Each baby is different. I would definitely try to encourage your DD to learn to fall asleep on her own but don't drive yourself crazy just yet. It's still early and it's an adjustment for her to learn. If you have to put her down after she's asleep for now and that's what works for you, then it's fine IMO. Good luck!

Re: Getting baby to sleep in crib question

Posted by Hofstra26

My DD loved to fall asleep on our shoulder and then we would transfer her to the cradle or crib. Personally, I loved the extra snuggle time and didn't mind her needing that when she was so little. One day, she just didn't need it anymore and that was that. It never interfered with her sleep habits though but she's always been a great sleeper.

Everyone has a different opinion on sleeping methods but for me, I really had no problem with holding her when she was small and letting her fall asleep on us.

ETA - I think all babies hate the flat mattress, it's just not cozy. My DD was the same way early on but she got use to it.

Getting baby to sleep in crib question

DD was just a few weeks older before she was able to go down in the crib awake. At 8 weeks I started trying to put her down in the crib awake for naps and sometimes it worked, sometimes it didn't. As she got used to it I tried it more and more and within a few weeks she went down awake in the crib for both naps and bedtime. My advice would be not to stress over it, start slow, and make sure DC is well rested one way or another so they aren't overtired when you try (I always let DD nap in the swing for her morning nap so that she got a good one in before I tried the crib later).

Re: Getting baby to sleep in crib question

Thanks for all the responses. She did finally fall asleep on her own in the crib last night just took awhile. She was cooing and "playing" until she finally fell asleep. Woke up a few times with a wet diaper but she was pretty good about going right back to sleep. I guess the just have to get used to it. I don't think putting her down while asleep will work for us because she wakes up once she knows you put her in there Although I must admit I do love that snuggle time - I will save it for the daytime

Re: Getting baby to sleep in crib question

DD has slept in her crib since like 4 weeks. I know we started putting her in early.

We ALWAYS put her down asleep.

I don't think we started putting her down "awake but drowsy" until she was 5 months or so.

Like others said - enjoy that snuggle time.

Re: Getting baby to sleep in crib question

DS is 7 1/2 months and STILL we still have such a difficult time getting him in the crib. We didnt move hime to crib until 2 months or so and nothings really changed. We have to wait until hes completely passed out in our arms for at least a half hour, and then when we put him in - he still sometimes cries as soon as his head hits the mattress. For some reason, if he was to sleep in the bed - he wouldnt wake up - his head hits the pillow and he continues to sleep. I don't understand it! Sorry i'm no help - just feel your pain!