How can I get 2 month old baby to sleep in his crib?

Question

I have been sleeping my 2 month old in my bed with me since day 1. I breastfeed so its alot easier to have him next to me at night. Well, in order to do this I had to send my husband to sleep on the couch. We both had enough of this arrangement and want the baby in his crib, but everytime I put him down in it he cries and cries. Ive tried putting him down asleep, awake , and half asleep. Everytime he wakes up very alert and refuses to sleep in there. I dont want things to get worse so I want to take care of this now that he is only 2 months. Oh and please dont tell me to try the ferber method. I did with a previous child and absolutely cant do that again. It is too hearbreaking for me. Please give me some suggestions so I can have my husband back . By the way, my sons crib is in my room next to my bed, so I am very close to him.

I tried to let him cry a few days ago but everytime I checked on him he was covered in sweat. I had the same problem with my now 10 year old , he slept with me for almost 4 years. He is great now but the transition time for him was hell for all of us so I want my new baby to learn to sleep without me while he is still a baby. I just dont know if I should still let him lay there while he is covered in sweat and crying like there is no tomorrow. My husband is out of town for 2 weeks because of work so I want to get something acomplished in this time frame or at least begin to do something. Also just thought Id let you know, he does not take bottles so I breastfeed 100% of the time. If any of you have tried the ferber method or any other method with a baby of this age please give me all the details so I dont feel like Im doing it all wrong.

Answer 1

You are a marshmallow!

Time to get tough, sister, or baby will control and rule your life.

Are you on a strict routine (i.e., specific feed time, bath time, bed time)??

Babies LOVE routines on a strict time-line.

YOU need to listen to your baby...and then kiss the little darling good-night after you put him in his own crib and then walk away.

Let him cry.
He'll eventually get the message after a night or two of crying himself to sleep.

Don't be a wimp - just DO IT.

Otherwise, in a few years when you have no control over your kids, we'll be pointing our fingers at you and saying "we told you so!"

Answer 2

Some young infants seem to need a "snug" environment in order to feel comfortable enough to fall asleep. Because there's not much extra room in a car seat carrier or bassinet, these may be more conducive to sleep. The crib may feel too big and open for some babies. Or it just may be that he's gotten used to the bassinet over the past ten weeks and objects to something new. As babies get bigger, most adjust quite easily to the crib, and I would recommend that you keep trying. You might want to put him near one end of the crib to make it seem more compact.

Answer 3

No matter what he's probably going to cry, because he is not used to being alone in his crib. I would let him cry but be there beside him and touch him or rub his chest and let him know you are there.

You could lay down on your bed and sing to him, or talk to him so that he knows you aren't far away. It will take some time for him to get used to it, but he's probably just lonely and doesn't know where you are!

Good luck!

Answer 4

You need to put the child in his crib awake or sleeping and simply let him cry himself to sleep. Heartbreaking or not it is the only way to let the child know that he needs to sleep in his crib alone. I know it is difficult but after a few nights or this he will be sleeping without the crying. It's is the only way or get used to having him in you bed for a very long time....

Answer 5

Take to pillow case of your pillow and put in down in his crib. For his naps and bedtime put him on put of it. He will get the scent and hopefully fall asleep. Also roll up receiving blankets and put them down his sides or swaddle his still. Good luck and have patience.

My little one is the same, when he crys and no one has picked him up after abit, he gets worked up, cries more and starts to sweat. Calm him down and wipe his face. Do you have a chair by his crib for you to sit on while breastfeeding and snuggling with him?

Answer 6

Why can't your husband sleep with you both?

I have been co-sleeping with my 13 mo old from day 1! I wouldnt trade the cuddle time i get for anything!

Sex is more interesting out of the bedroom anyhow :)

I think about 3 mo, i started putting him in his cradle for the first part of the night. I would nurse him limp (you know, pick up the arm and it just drops) and then lay him down, very carefully, with some music playing.

Answer 7

If he won't sleep in his crib, try laying him in a laundry basket with something with your scent on it and then wean him into the crib, or try laying him on the floor, that way he's not in the bad, but it's not the crib either. My daughter falls asleep in her crib, but then wakes up in the middle of the night and won't go to sleep unless she's laying on my chest (listening to my heartbeat), so I don't want her to get used to it either.

Answer 8

I had that problem with my son and now my daughter. Lot's of practice and sleepless nights. I swaddled both my kids to be able to put them in there bed. As well as a heartbeat bear for my son and a fan for my daughter. I also at night lay my daughter on a shirt I wore that day. It seems to help, if she can smell me! Hope I could help good luck!

Answer 9

Try using a bottle. I usally watch shows like this and all the time I see a bottle with the baby in the crib befroe it goes to sleep

Answer 10

Try rolling receiving blankets around him to make him feel more secure... this worked for me. All the openness of the crib is a difficult adjustment for them.