how do my husband and I get our 8 month old to sleep in his crib?

Question

I know that most of you parents have to deal with this at different stages of your child's life. The main reason why we had him sleeping in our bed is so that we could get some sleep, but now it's getting difficult for my husband and I to get close and snuggly with our little one in the middle.

Answer 1

Please don't listen to the parents that advise to let him cry. Studies have actually linked it to brain damage. Check out http://www.theregister.co.uk/2006/07...d_body_crying/ It's also recommended by many places that your baby sleeps in the same room as the parents for at least the first six months to reduce the risk of SIDS. The closer your baby is to you, the better sleep patterns and less sleep problems develope. Your baby will mimic your breathing patterns and it's really healthy. So great job caring for your babies needs Mama!

Babies cry because it's the only way to communicate their needs. Here is a great resource for sleep problems from Dr. Sears http://www.askdrsears.com/html/7/T070100.asp

I think the best way to do it would be a slow transition. Maybe have the crib in your room at first and slowly move it to the babies room? Or a small bed on the side of yours on the floor? I agree with the poster that suggested to try and make the crib a fun place for awhile. Just remember to listen to your own instincts and your babies needs. You know your child better than us. Good luck making the transition as painless for the both of you as possible.

I feel so sad for the babies that are left to cry. I know what it's like to cry alone in the dark. I can't imagine what it's like to be a baby and have no way to have my needs met. :(

Answer 2

It will not be an easy transition at this age, but it will only get harder the older he gets.

Just start putting him to bed in his crib. He will cry. He will cry a lot. Go in and reassure him in 5-10-15-20-25-30 minute intervals that you are still there and he is alright.

It will take several days... probably a week... before he goes to sleep in his own bed without making a huge fuss.

Stick with it. It will be a difficult week, but you and your husband will benefit in the long run.

Best wishes!

Answer 3

You do need snuggly time with your hubby.... It's very important!
You need to just take the step, and put your little one in his crib. Let him cry for a bit... go to him, lye him back down... and repeat, until he gets it. It will take some time, but in the end, it will all be worth the sleepless nights and wanting to pull your hair out.
Especially when you and your hubby are taking that grown up time. You'll love it. This age does not last forever, that's what you need to remember, it does get easier, if you make the stern, loving step. And remember, your not being mean, they have to sleep in their own beds one day. If you keep letting him sleep with you guys, you'll have one hell of a time when he's a little older. I think now is the perfect time. You've had time to snuggle with him, and now you need time to snuggle with your hubby!!!!!
And also, don't give him a bottle in bed, it's not good for thier teeth.
GOOD LUCK!!!!

Answer 4

Start by showing him that his crib is a safe place to sleep. Get him to nap there during the day. You have more energy to deal with his objections at that time.

Start by putting him in the crib for short periods of time during the day when he's in a good mood. Give him something new that he can look at, like one of those toys that hang on the side of the crib and plays music or whatever you think would interest him. At first, you stay with him and keep him company. Then start walking away for a short time, gradually increasing the amount of time you're away. You might just start with peakaboo from the door.

After he's comfortable being in the crib, choose a day when you're at your best to start getting him to nap in the crib. The key is consistency, try to pick a time when you're going to be able to stay with it for at least a few days.

Put him in the crib the way you would when he normally naps. If he cries, pick him up and reasure him. When he's calm again, smile, give him a reasuring smile and put him back in the crib. Repeat, waiting a little longer to pick him up each time. Use a timer or watch a clock...you'll always think it is longer than it actually is when he's crying. As you lengthen the time between when he starts crying and when you pick him up, console him by rubbing his back or whatever else helps short of picking him up. Stay with it. He will fall asleep eventually.

Remember that the first few times will be the hardest. It gets easier as you stay with it. You might start by doing this only for 1 of his naps each day or you might just do it for all of his daytime naps. Whatever you choose, be consistent every day until the routine sticks. It also helps to have a naptime routine. An abbreviated version of the bedtime routine usually works. Maybe nurse/have a bottle, read a book, cuddle, then down for a nap. Whatever works for you.

While you're working on getting him to nap in the crib, start establishing a bedtime routine and a regular bedtime if you haven't already. Once he is napping in his crib, pick a time when you can devote a week or more to working on his nighttime issues. Then you get him to sleep in the crib the same way you got him to nap in the crib.

Once again, whatever you decide to do, stay with it. Start the bedtime routine at the same time for as long as possible while you're showing him how to sleep on his own. His bedtime routine should be the same steps in the same order every night. Consistency will make it easier on him and on you. It's reasuring to know what is going to happen, so the more consistent you are, the happier he will be.

Answer 5

That is the first mistake that parents make! Letting their child sleep with them.

Yes I understand it's nice to have your sleep but you must understand what it does long term though. At the age of 6 months they say you should start to ferberize your child. Meaning if they start crying in the middle of the night have a set time before you go in and comfort them.

One ways I did this was to turn the baby monitor off if he started to cry and after awhile he will learn to fall back to sleep on his own.

Answer 6

There is another option... Put baby on the *side* instead. You need to buy a bed rail--the kind with a hard plastic mesh, not parallel bars (those are meant for older kids; a baby could get his head stuck!!). Then baby can safely sleep next to you, you don't have to get a reluctant baby to want to move, you get more sleep, and you can cuddle with your husband, too.

Answer 7

Very simple.
1. Put baby in crib.
2. Walk away.

You can sit in the room but don't pick him up cause he'll just keep crying thinking he will get the same result. Eventually (however painful it may be) he will cry himself to sleep. It's ok!

Answer 8

Just do it. By that I mean put him in the crib and if he cries, let him cry. It make take a few nights, but he'll "figure out" that you aren't coming to get him and will eventually go to sleep.

Answer 9

Step one is to let them fall asleep in the bed and then move them once asleep. If this works you can eventually move them to thier bed. Personally we didn't try to move them that young and have used laying with them in thier bed to help them fall alseep.

While you are waiting to get your bed back consider "getting snuggly" somewhere else in the house after the child has fallen asleep.

Answer 10

You should put him in the crib and then give him a bottle.
If that does not work put him to sleep then put him in the crib. Or just dump him in the crib and leave. He'll cry to sleep.