Please help I need some encouragement?!?

Question

My baby is almost 5 months old and has been sleeping in her cradle swing ONLY since she was born. Doc said it's okay, but we want to get her sleeping in her crib. We've been transitioning her gradually, by not turning the swing on and having her sleep in it off. But, tonight will be our first day at REALLY attempting to put her to bed in the crib. I am SO nervous! She is a good sleeper and is now sleeping to between 4 am and 7 am without waking (if she wakes before 6am, she'll nurse and go right back to sleep). She was waking once to nurse always, but 2 days ago she started sleeping through till 6 or 7 without it. I am SO afraid that this will disrupt her and completely change her sleeping patterns and put her out of wack, leading to my sleeplessness! I have medical issues that cause me insomnia and so my sleep is more important than most. I am very anxious and just need some reassurance that this will work, even if not right away? Someone out there please help!?

Answer 1

Change is difficult, but the baby will adapt. You can do this.

Answer 2

I would suggest that you accept a few facts:

1. Your daughter is used to sleeping in the swing, and so any significant change will be stressful (but not harmful) to her;

2. The sooner you transition her to a crib, the better off she will be, and the easier it will be (but not easy) to do it.

In short, you're going to have some bad nights, and if you don't do it now, you'll have even more bad nights doing it later.

So, with that in mind:

#1: start the transition to the crib on a Friday (assuming you and/or your husband work during the week) so that you can take turns sleeping during the day if you have a few sleepless nights;

#2: the week prior, expose your child to her crib (if she has no experience with it) and put her down for naps there; she probably won't sleep at first, and probably won't like it, but you won't lose a night's sleep. After a few days of not napping, she's bound to get the idea.

#3: get night help for the first few nights of crib sleeping, if you can.

#4: accept the fact that she's going to be confused, and she's going to be unhappy, and that she will quickly adjust and be fine.

You will get fussing and crying, and it will not be easy, but you need to do it now. Heck, you needed to do it a while ago, and it's only going to be worse now. Happily, the sooner you do it, the better off you'll both be.

Oh, and I recommend you pick up some books on the subject ("Happiest Baby On The Block" is one, there are many others) -- they have different (and often conflicting) advice, so there's no single "right" way, but a common message you'll find in the books is that being afraid of change like this is more harmful to your baby, and yourself, than any short-term discomfort that a transition will introduce.

Good luck!

Answer 3

I think you are doing the right thing - you want your baby to sleep in their own bed and start good habits as early as possible. While the transition and change may disrupt your babies sleep - stick with it. If you are consistent now and make the change now while she is young, it will be better then if you wait. Give it a few nights, it may take two or three nights or maybe a week - but it will happen as long as you stick with it. You may have distrupted sleep for a little, but it will go back to normal soon. And, it is best to do it now instead of when she is too old and big for the swing and in a bad habit. Good luck!

Answer 4

It probably will disrupt her sleep pattern, but her current sleeping routine is not maintainable, so it's what you have to do. I mean, eventually she's going to outgrow the cradle swing, right? Expect a step backward before taking a few steps forward. Think of it like you're cleaning a room - sometimes it gets messier before it gets cleaner, because you're putting things in order. Just think hard about creating a routine. And know that you're on the right track - which for someone with insomnia issues ought to be the best news.

Answer 5

wow; at 5 months she isn't out of a swing? if the doctor said this is ok; didn't he give you suggestions for transitioning?

the rocking, sitting upright, and the coziness of being there may be hard for her to comfort herself without it. it may take time...but isnt impossible.

Does she still fall asleep with a bottle or pacifier? Do you put her int he swing asleep already? I would suggest just putting her in the crib after her nightly feeding still awake...if she cries; let her cry for a few minutes (up to 5; literally watch the clock; time goes really slow when all you want to do is stop your baby from crying!)...then go back into the room after your alotted time...pat her back or sing or do whatever you normally would do to comfort her; when she starts to get sleepy eyed again put her back down to sleep....repeat....repeat...repeat. until she is sleeping. Babies like consistancy...so find the right bed time, feeding pattern at night, singing, music playing...whatever you have done in that means; continue to do! Eventually she will learn that she needs to be in the crib for sleeping. Babies do learn that they can fall asleep in their crib and that mom will still be there!

Also; not all babies are in need of this...you might have a miracle good baby that will just go right into the crib.

As for your sleep; the best help there is to make sure if you have a partner or whomever there to help at night; make sure that you both are on the same plan...make sure you both wait the same amount of time...make sure you both do the same thing if it is picking back up to rock or just patting the back and saying goodnight words...make sure you both are on the same page...it sucks when you hear the baby and then you hubby decides he really doesn know what to do so you are up twice as long anyway to help him!

Good luck to you!

Answer 6

It may take a little bit of getting used to, but your baby WILL get in the habit of sleeping in her crib. She may cry at first and wake up more than usual, but once she realizes the crib is where she's going to sleep she'll sleep through the night again. Good luck!

Answer 7

Oh dear one you worry to much. Since she is used to the swing it may take some time for her to adjust to her crib. Try rocking her instead of using the swing then lay her down. Expect some tears for a few nights but stay strong and she will get used to it.
Maybe you should see a doctor about your insomnia.

Answer 8

The more nervous you are the more she'll pick up on that and the longer it will take her to adjust to the change. Relax. If you're doing what you think is best then you're doing the right thing. One thing you could do to help her feel cozy like she does in her swing is to lay her crossways in the crib rather than lengthways. It'll make the bed feel smaller to her like she's used to.

Answer 9

My son did the same thing for months in the swing.. Dont worry if she is a good sleeper she will take right to the crib .. you might want to start it out in your room with her in the crib and then move her so it is more pleasent for her.

Answer 10

You can make it easier by putting the cradle in the crib, if it can be detached from the stand. Let her get used to her surroundings - take it very slow!. If you cant take this option, try making her crib a bit smaller, by placing rolled towels around the walls. It will give her a safer feeling. She might like to be swaddled.... Take it very slow, dont give up and good luck!

Answer 11

As long as you have communicated effectively with your Doctor,
and He/She is comfortable with the situation, then a slow transition seems fine. As long as your child is not out growing the
swing, and She is safe and secure, then I would only try weeing to a crib, when I felt I had to time to devote to the effort.
Remember you child may not be willing to accept this change;
but in time she will adjust. Do not be discouraged, and remember this is your child's first time through, so She is just learning to be a human child.
Good Luck.
Sincerely
JB