mommies I need your help!?

Question

We are transitioning our 5 month old daughter from sleeping in her cradle swing to sleeping in her crib. Last night was the first night that we forced her to sleep in her crib (we didnt let her cry it out, but kept putting her back to sleep in the crib, until she finally fell asleep 5 hours after we started trying). She slept for only 6 hours last night (she usually sleeps 10 or 11), and I am sure it was because of her crib. Today, she really hasnt taken a nap, because we keep trying to put her down in the crib. My question is, we can get our daughter to sleep on us or in her carseat in the car (and she takes a few naps like this during the week), should we allow her to sleep on us during this transition period during naptime or should we keep forcing her to sleep in the crib for her naps too and if she doesnt take her nap, she doesnt take her nap? I am sure she will transition just fine over the week and we DONT want to put her down in her cradle swing no matter what. Thanks!

Answer 1

if she hasn't napped yet today, maybe she'll sleep well in her crib tonight. Just keep putting her in her crib and if she cries, let her. I know its hard but she'll realize this is now her bed and get used to it.

Answer 2

Try letting her sleep in the cradle swing at night and have her start napping in the crib. That way, she can get used to the crib without giving up her cradle cold turkey. Try putting (if you can) a mobile over the cradle and then switch it back and forth between the cradle and crib so that she thinks she's still in the cradle because the things around her look familiar..that way, she's not in this totally new place while she sleeps.

Answer 3

Well if you do not keep putting her in the crib and instead let her fall asleep on you etc then the transition is just going to get harder and drag out longer.
Right now the crib is feeling huge and unsafe to her. She is used to being more confined and smaller spots feel safer to babies. If you do not have the little bumpers (sorry cant remember what they are called) on the crib put them on make it feel more enclosed. Also wrap her up before you put her to sleep nice and tight. That should help.
Other then that just keep working on it. It might be a week or so of long nights but soon she will be sleeping like normal in the crib!

Answer 4

I can tell you what I did, when we first brought our daughter home she slept in her bassinet for 5 mo. Then because of our circumstances she had to sleep with us. She did so until 2 mo. ago when she was 13 mo. Then I put her in her crib and it took every bit of 3 days of her crying for all of 25 min. the 1st night, 15 the next, the last day she whinned a little and that was it. Now she sleeps all night on her own. All I am saying is if it is no problem with you that she sleeps with you that is fine. Everyone says you will have problems later, I am a witness that it is not true. I used to let her take naps in the car seat and bouncy seat and she is fine. She just may not be ready to sleep in an unfamiliar place.

Answer 5

My advice is to keep putting her in her crib only at night. The reason I say this is because alot of babies can get their days and nights mixed up and if you have a place that she only sleeps at night then when she does make the transisition she will know that when she is put in her crib it is for the night. So say you put her down for naps in her car seat and put her inthe crib only for the nights then when you put her to sleep in the car seat her body knows its only for a nap but when she hits the crib it is for the night. I did the same thing with my daughter but we put her to sleep for naps in the swing and bed in the crib. I hope this makes sense to you and she will get the hang of it but like all things babies everything takes time. Good luck.

Answer 6

From the moment we brought our son home from the hospital we put him in his crib. We also swaddled him as well. Babies like to be snug so the tighter the better. They say you can swaddle babies up to 7 months and for 16 hours a day. Of course when they start to become more mobile they won't keep it on that much so just try it for naps and night time. Also use something that makes white noise. White noise is something like a hum of a fan or static from a radio. We use a little toy boat that plays ocean wave sounds. He sleeps so good. We also don't rock him to sleep or let him fall asleep on us. We wanted him to be able to put himself to sleep so he goes to sleep with his eyes open but drowsy. If you put her down when she is fast asleep she will wake up and only remember being in your arms so it scares them. Try the car seat inside the crib too. This way she will get use to being "in" her crib.

Answer 7

I'm certainly not a mommy (or even a parent for that matter), but I may have an idea... Put her in her car seat but put the car seat in her crib (if it fits). That way she still has the familiarity of the car-seat but at the same time, it would give her the opportunity to get used to new surroundings. It seems to me that no matter what you do, crying is going to be a big factor for the next few months. At least that's what I'v noticed with my sisters when they have babies.

Answer 8

when she was going to take a nap just put her in here crib for her naps and at night but i would not let her take a nap in the day time i would try to keep her up all day that way at night she would be tried and what to go to bed early , and if i was u i would give her a bath around 830 and put in her swing and put the tv on for her and just let her go to sleep like that and when she was asleep put her in her crib that what i do with my son what is almost two he want to start sleep with me too but i just give him his bath around 830 and put him in the swing and put cartoons on for him and what he fell to sleep i put him in this crib and he sleep all night

Answer 9

I think you should keep trying to put her in her crib. If she falls asleep in her carseat, then put the whole seat in the crib, so she wakes up there. Also, you sleep with her blankets, to get your scent on them, it will help a little. Be persistant, she will adjust. Good Luck

Answer 10

If it is possible try putting the cradle inside of the crib so shes technically in the cradle. Eventually just stop using the cradle too.

Answer 11

Just do what you think is right for your baby. If it bothers you that much she sleeps well in one place and you want to put her in another then you will have to suffer. I dont know what it will hurt her to sleep in her car seat. Babys do need to know how to sleep in different places and in different situations. We use to let our boys sleep with us once in a while. We also would leave the tv going where they nap so that noise wouldnt bother their naps. That is the main thing to remember tho. Doesnt matter where or how they sleep just as long as they do. Also remember several things are just phases they go thru. They grow very quickly. Enjoy your baby!!!