I can't get my son to sleep in his crib what can I do?

Question

My son is nine months old and when I put him in his crib to go to sleep he cries non stop until he chokes. I can't get him to fall asleep almost anywhere else without a problem. He even will wake up and screams if I put him in there when he is already asleep. He sounds like he is scared. I have even tried putting his favorite toy or blanket in there with him but he still screams.

Answer 1

I learnt my lesson with my older two children but had exactly the same problem as you with my first. Everyone told me to be tougher and just let my baby scream but she used to make herself sick. I dropped one side of the cot down and pushed it to meet the side of my bed then put heavy items by the feet of the cot so it didn't slip away during the night. If you've done it right then the cot should now be like an extension of the bed. I put my baby on the cot side of the bed and gradually each night got her further over so she was in the cot but she still felt like she was with me. After a while when I thought she was ready I put the side back up on the cot but left it right against the bed so I could put my hand though and she still felt close. Eventually I moved the cot further away from my bed.
Obviously if your baby is already in their own room then you might have to camp out in their room for a while to do this.

Answer 2

He's not choking, he's gagging on his tears, which is not dangerous. Picking him up will only result in starting all over again and cause him more discomfort. He's too young for nightmares so it's not that. He just wants to be held. Don't take the bait! If you let him cry it out for a few nights, he'll learn to sooth himself to sleep and you will both be happier during the day having gotten the rest you both need. Put him to bed awake whenever possible so he doesn't wake up in the night wondring how he got there and where you went! Try some "white noise" like a fan or something to lul him to sleer. Be tough. It'll take less than a week and you'll be free! Good luck!

Answer 3

He won't choke to death. But if he discovers that that noise gets him what he wants, he'll only continue to do it.

You need to put him to bed, with a nightlight, white noise, and short bedtime routine. Then leave the room, close the door, and DON'T GO BACK TILL MORNING. let him cry. It will NOT hurt him. No baby has ever cried itself to death. In a week or less he will be sleeping in his crib no problem.

If he stands up in the crib, you might go in a spank him and lay him back down. That's the only time I break my "no attention" rule--my 10 month old son has learned NOT to stand up in the crib when he's put to bed now. It works.

Answer 4

When my daughter was about 5 or 6 months she started doing the same thing. I'm sorry I don't know what you could do because I think I tried everything and I figured she just wanted to sleep with me. He probably is scared cause even when my daughter sleeps with me and can't feel me she wakes up and when I touch her like with my arm she goes back to sleep.

Answer 5

He knows you will take him out if he keeps it up long enough. He is old enough to let him cry himself to sleep without damage. What is the difference in the room where his crib is and other rooms in the house. Sit and list the sames and differences. Maybe he needs a night lite or a sound. Dead silence is very scary. Sometimes all you need is a little fan or radio. But most of the time it is because they know if they cry long enough you will come get them.

Answer 6

I'm` m a mother 6 times a grandmother now and the total is growing,i had the same problem with one of my children give him just a little catnip tea before bed,it worked for me, don't worry it won`t hurt him even if it does`nt work for you Colline

Answer 7

He's not scared, but he is getting your attention by doing this so that's why he continues. I know it's hard to let him cry it out, but you might have to do that. I know you said he chokes, but I doubt that it's life-threatening choking, unless he stops breathing. You've taught him that if he cries long enough and hard enough, he'll get to get out of his crib. And his awareness is now heightened to wake him up if he's placed in the crib while asleep.

Answer 8

i think all kids try this. My daughter tried it at about 10 months. I just let her cry and scream herself to sleep. It only lasted two nights and she was fine and safe and never did it again. She sounded scared too.. but she was fine, just was having a tantrum.. and yeah, when upset, they will cry till they stop breathing.. don't worry, they will not cry till they die. My firend had a kid taht did this.. and she did not let her kid cry it out.. she was up with her daughter everynight trying to coax her back to sleep for years and she was so jelous that my baby went to bed and layed there until she was asleep and slept all night. It was hard letting my daughter cry it out, and acutally I cried abit in my own room and stood outside her door. It was hard, but worth it

Answer 9

are the lights on when you lay him down? maybe turn on some soft music. try something to calm him before you lay him down. and when you lay him down put your hand on his chest ( it makes him feel your close) lol i do that to my baby all the time and he falls right to sleep...
im not sure if this is bad or not but it really helps me! i lay my son on his tummy and pat his bottom till i know he is asleep...once he is asleep i turn him over, because he falls asleep faster on his tummy!!

good luck, i know dealing with a crying little one can be a strain on your nerves!!!

Answer 10

Let him cry out. That is how we "trained" my 1 month old to understand that he cannot be held 24/7. I know its hard, as it was very difficult for me, but it works.