Our 4 month old has slept on Mom and Dad - not next to but on top of since he was born. We need to eventually get him into his crib but would like advice on gentle steps we should take to get him there. He is starting to be able to sleep by himself sometimes but usually needs the body contact to stay asleep. Mom goes back to work in a month and we really want to figure out a schedule/routine that will work. We know we are going to have to let him cry it out sooner or later but it seems really mean to go from letting him sleep on us right to putting him in a separate room and shutting the door while he cries himself to sleep. Has anyone else gone through this? Also, he doesn't really have the skills to put himself to sleep so advice on that would be helpful also.
2007-03-10 12:14:13 · 7 answers · asked by Jen 2 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Newborn & Baby
You do not have to make him cry it out! Also, don't let anyone scare you away from co-sleeping, just make sure you do it safely if you do it. Read the book "The No-Cry Sleep Solution" by Elizabeth Pantley. Most bookstores and some Megamarts keep it in stock. It's genius. Pantley teaches you how to teach your child to put himself to sleep, but without the awful crying. I've been using her methods from birth with my second child. She's 16 months now, and she asks to go into the crib and puts herself to sleep.
2007-03-10 13:38:27 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
I had that problem. I got the book Heathy Sleep Habits Happy Child book- very good read. At 4 months he should be starting to get soothing skills. In the meantime- try putting him in his crib and "bouncing" the mattress with one hand with your other hand on his belly or his thigh if he is on his side. The boucy motion should lull him of to sleep. It worked for me until his soothing skills kicked in.
2007-03-10 20:27:06 · answer #2 · answered by trouperstar 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have a 4 month old and recently she started to sleep in her crib. For the first 4 month of her life she slept in a basinet in our bedroom. When we first tried to put her down in to the crib she would cry and really hate it there, mobiles, toys, nothing helped. We put the crib in to our bedroom and once she fell asleep as she usually does I moved her in to the crib. At first when she woke up in the crib she would start crying again, I would pick her up. Calm her down and place back in to the crib, she would fall asleep. After a few days we were able to place her in to the crib to fall asleep without her crying. In a month or so we will try putting her in to her own room. Babies need time to adjust; I would advise you to make a smooth transaction. Place him in the crib when he is wide awake, let him play with toys there. Then place him in the crib for a nap after he falls asleep in his usual place, be there to comfort him when he wakes up. Move the crib into your bedroom so that he could sense you. He will get used to it and will come to understand that his crib is not a scary place.
You can also try purchasing Zaky from http://www.tinytots.com/shopping/for_baby/zaky.html or on eBay, it’s amazing. As for teaching him to fall asleep on his own introdice him to a pacifier or teach him to suck on his thum when he wants comfort. Hope this is helpul. Good luck.
2007-03-10 20:29:09 · answer #3 · answered by Natalia D 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Oh, dear. Well, first, and I am sure you already know this, having a child sleep with you (on or next to) is just not good. I understand why you would want that, but it's a no no. I suggest you put the baby in the crib for naps whenever possible. There are many great products out there that simulate heartbeat which is what he is accustomed to. Yes, at some point he will have to cry it out....but that is the way it is whether they sleep with you or not. Try to get a nighttime routine going as soon as possible such as feeding, rocking then putting him in the crib. If you are consistent and stick with a routine and get the heartbeat simulator, it will probably be much easier! Good luck!
2007-03-10 20:21:29 · answer #4 · answered by itsjustme 3 · 0⤊ 7⤋
I would suggest getting one of those buckwheat or flax seed pillows- heating it up, wrapping a blanket or pillow case with your scents on it and laying it next to him. It's not as "cushy" as a real pillow and may help mimic the feeling of a warm body next to him.
Also- there are a few different stuffed animals on the market that have the "beating heart" sound recorded within them that will play softly for 10-25 minutes at a time to help lull baby to sleep.
Best of luck, and congrats on your little man!
2007-03-10 20:19:56 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋
One reason why you shouldn't have started this habit.
But that is what it is is a habit, which can be broke. Just put him in his crib starting with just staying there beside him with your hand on him till asleep, then one his own. It will take a week to three till habit is broke.
He will quickly adapt the skill as it is already there, just been put aside.
2007-03-10 20:20:34 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 5⤋
I am not trying to scare you but in February 07 a dear friend of mine's baby died. She was asleep on her dad and somehow rolled off and was smothered. (She was not a tiny infant either, she was 3 months old) I would highly advise you to PROMPTLY stop!
2007-03-10 20:23:34 · answer #7 · answered by Kimnkicks mommy 3 · 0⤊ 5⤋