How do I get my 6 month old son to sleep on his own in his crib?

Question

We can get him to sleep no problem in the swing or when he's tired in our arms but he won't close his eyes and fall asleep in his crib on his own. We have Baby Einstein playing softly in the background (as usual), but no matter how tired (and cranky) he is, he just lays there and rolls around. Please help.

Answer 1

Try giving him a warm bath with lavender before you put him down I do it with my son and it really calms and relaxes him. He's been falling asleep on his own in his crib since he was two weeks. (He's ten weeks now). Johnson's and Johnson's make a baby bath and baby lotion with lavender and chamomile in it.
http://www.johnsonsbaby.com/products/bath/bedtime-cream-wash
My other recommendation is just to lay him down and eventually he will fall asleep. If he gets himself really worked up, go back in and comfort him then lay him back down, don't let him fall asleep in your arms and then lay him in the crib because he may wake up and startle himself further because he woke up in a different spot then where he fell asleep.
Best of luck.

Answer 2

Well according to my baby book .. You are supposed to put the baby in the crib when they are still awake and almost asleep. I would kill the music. I am going through the same thing and I have an older baby. 10 months . Still have same problem. The advice I have recieved is at 8:00 every night put the baby in the crib and go out of the room . eventually he will go to sleep. I have seen this done and have done it for friends.Ihave put their infants in their cribs , I have done this since their births ... My children .. Well I put my baby in the crib and he walks around . But same time every night ... same routine .. put baby in bed and leave... BUT Have some kind of MONITORING system .. one you can see or hear and listen closely. 5 month old s are still bsy folk. If baby cries you can tell what cry it is ... If this doesnt work keep trying . eventually it will work . they may be older like 1 . but it will work.

Answer 3

I was NEVER able to get my son to sleep in his crib for more than an hour. Exhausted, I let him sleep in my bed and had a HORRIBLE time getting him to move to his own bed. It was hard on both of us. Perhaps you could try sleeping in the floor (for a short while) near him so that he'd know you would come quickly if he awakes. My point is that I suggest you keep trying because this is very important for both of you that he learn to sleep in his own crib at an early age.

Answer 4

Lay him down as you usually would. Stay in the room w/him. Just sit on the floor very quietly. when he cries or fusses don't answer or make over him. Every night sit alittle closer to the door. Do this everynite until he falls asleep. It may take awhile and it is heart wrenching to hear them fuss. It will work. I did it w/ my daughter when she was a year old. It took about a week. But she goes to sleep on her own and sleeps all night.

Answer 5

You may have to put him to sleep there for a while,pst him on his back. Also there may be too much stimulation..too many colors, toys, things like that. Also you can put him in the crib so that when he wakes up thats where he is so he can get used to being in it and starts to see that it is okay.

Answer 6

Just put him in his crib and leave him there until he falls asleep. He'll eventually sleep as long as you don't bother him. Just let him lay there.

Answer 7

Put him there and leave him there, it will be hard to do, but think of it like this he can't hurt himself. I had the same problem with my oldest child, and he ended up sleeping with me until he turned 3 years old, I knew better the second time around.

Answer 8

Lay him in the crib. Don't pick him back up. Rub his back and pat his butt. He'll be soothed....but not held. It'll balance out.