If you are looking for a resourceful guide to getting your baby to sleep in the crib, look no further! We have compiled all of our best tips and tricks into one article. Whether you are dealing with a 6-month old or 1 year old, we have some helpful advice that will help your little one get the rest they need.
What are some common questions about how to get baby to sleep in crib? One question many parents ask is what age should their child be before transitioning them from co-sleeping to sleeping in their own bed. There is no set age limit so it largely depends on how much your child wants independence or needs assistance at night.
How to get baby to sleep in crib?
First, it is important to remember that every child and situation is different. There are no guarantees for how long your baby will sleep in a crib or how well they’ll adjust to sleeping there.
However, here are some tips to keep in mind:
- Keep the room comfortable – Make sure you have set up everything so that your baby can feel as comfortable as possible when he/she goes off to bed.
- Security – Remember that every child is different so just because you have your hands full with one doesn’t mean your second will be the same! If your first did well sleeping on their own then it may not take much convincing to get them into a crib once baby number two comes along. However if this isn’t the case or little ones are struggling to adjust (which can sometimes happen when there is only 30 minutes between feedings) try taking steps like having mom/dad sleep in another room but keep checking in regularly until they eventually fall back asleep without assistance.
- Make it fun – It’s important to remember how much babies love new experiences so try turning bedtime routines into games you play together. This could include singing songs, telling stories, reading books, etc.
- Don’t linger – Remember that little ones may need to sleep with you for a good part of their childhood but the time they spend in your room at night is limited! Try not to stay up too late or hang out by their crib once they are down because this can cause them to become dependent on you there instead of focusing on self soothing.
- Be patient – If all else fails just remember patience is key when it comes to raising children! Sometimes even if things seem like an uphill battle now there could be light at the end of the tunnel as long as everyone stays positive.
How to get a 2, 4 or 6-month old to sleep in a crib?
At this age, your baby is getting used to being awake longer during the day so introducing a bedtime routine will be helpful.
Making sure they have plenty of tummy time and activity before naps can also help get them tired out for bed which in turn helps improve their sleep patterns at night. Many parents find that if their child has had a good stretch of sleep through the night then transitioning into sleeping in a crib goes more smoothly but just remember every child is different! If you are having trouble with this it could be worth making an appointment with your pediatrician or even consider talking to a professional like a lactation consultant who may have helpful tips on how to make things easier.
How to get a one year old to sleep in a crib?
As your child gets older they will be more independent and want the freedom that comes along with sleeping in their own bed. This is a great time to start weaning them off of co-sleeping because it can sometimes make for an easier transition when you know your little one has what he/she needs (i.e: security, comfort, etc.) at night to sleep on his/her own! Always keep in mind though that every child is different so just because this worked for someone else doesn’t mean it’s going to work out perfectly right away if the baby isn’t ready yet!
- Ensure your baby’s room is the right temperature.
- Make sure they are in a comfortable position.
- Keep their bedroom dark and quiet for uninterrupted sleep.
- Do not wake them up during naps or at night.
- Put them to bed with a bottle of milk, water, or juice if needed.
- Give your child an opportunity to learn how to fall asleep on their own by leaving the door open when you leave the house.
A guide to successful sleeping strategies for one year olds
Put baby to sleep in the crib for naps.
As mentioned earlier, it’s important to remember that every child is different so start this process when your baby seems tired and ready for naptime. Another thing you want to be sure of before starting the crib transition is making sure there aren’t any major changes happening in their life (i.e: mom returning back to work) because this could also be a trigger for them to start having more trouble sleeping at night.
Once you have established that the time is right to start this process, it can help if mom/dad sleep in another room but check on their little one every few hours during naps and gradually build up how long they are able to go without checking in.
Give your child a pacifier when you put them down in the crib.
This can be a great way to help them self-soothe and fall back asleep if they wake up during the night. Just remember that as always with children, it’s important not to overuse this because at some point you want them to learn how to put themselves back to sleep on their own.
Offer toys or other items that will help soothe the child before bedtime.
Whether it’s a mobile, a toy they love, or any other item that might help them settle in at night this can be helpful when transitioning to the crib. Just remember not to overdo it because you want their sleep environment to remain conducive to good sleep!
Establish a bedtime routine.
A bedtime routine is a great way to help children recognize when it’s time for sleep and can be especially helpful if you are trying to transition them into their crib. Just remember not to make the process too complicated by adding in too many things because your baby will only get confused and overwhelmed which could lead to more sleepless nights!
Give the 2-4-6-month-old a choice between sleeping in their crib or with you and your partner.
This is a great way to get your little one used to the idea of sleeping in their own bed because it gives them some control over what will happen which could make for an easy transition.
Avoid feeding, cuddling, or rocking too much during sleep time.
This might be a tough one but it’s important to start weaning your baby off of depending on you for things like feeding or rocking them to sleep. You don’t want this behavior to continue into their toddler years because then they will become dependent and won’t know how else to self-soothe themselves at night!
Use soothing techniques such as white noise or music that gradually lull the baby into slumber.
This can be helpful to get your baby used to fall asleep on their own because they will begin associating sleep with the sound of something like white noise. Just remember that you don’t want it to be too loud or else it could potentially startle them when you aren’t there in case they wake up during the night!
Be patient, consistent, and persistent with your methods.
It might take some time for your baby to get used to the crib or sleeping on their own but if you are consistent with these methods and remain patient it should be easy! Just remember that every child is different so what works for someone else’s little one may not work out perfectly right away.
Reassure yourself that there isn’t anything wrong with your baby.
Having trouble getting your little one to sleep is frustrating but don’t worry because it’s completely normal during the early years! Just remember that they will eventually adjust and then you can all get on having some great nights of uninterrupted sleep.
Sources:
- How to Get Your Newborn Child to Sleep in a Crib at Night https://www.sleepadvisor.org/newborn-baby-sleep-in-crib
- Sleep and Your 1- to 3-Month-Old https://kidshealth.org/en/parents/sleep13m.html
- Infant sleep training https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Infant_sleep_training
- How to Get a Baby to Sleep in a Crib https://www.wikihow.com/Get-a-Baby-to-Sleep-in-a-Crib
| Editors Choice | Models |
|---|---|
| Best cribs for babies | Dream On Me Jayden 4-in-1 |
| The best mattres for baby crib | Graco Premium |
| Best portable baby crib for travel | BabyBjorn travel crib |
| Best mattress for baby cribs | Graco Premium |
| The best crib changing table | Storkcraft Portofino 4-in-1 |
