How can I get my 2-1/2 month old to sleep in her crib?

Question

I have a 21/2 month old baby girl and since the day we brought her home she hasn't liked sleeping in her craddle or crib. The only thing she will sleep in is her swing. I feel horrible leaving her in her swing at night but thats the only way my husband and I can get any sleep. My family tell me its just because she's spoiled and I need to quit doing it, but when i lay her in her crib she screams and will not quit until I pick her up. This is my first baby and I sometimes feel like I don't know what I'm doing. So if anyone has any suggestions I would really appreciate the help.

Answer 1

You cant spoil a newborn! Instead of letting her fall asleep in her swing try cuddling or rocking her to sleep in your arms. Once she is asleep lay her down gently. If she wakes and cries, cuddle her some more, then when she's asleep put her in the crib. Do the same even for daytime sleeps, she will eventually learn that when she's tired she goes in her crib.

Answer 2

My son is 8 months and just started sleeping in his crib at night. He slept every second of his life from about 2 months until now in the swing. My family was the same way telling me I'm going to get him too used to being rocked to sleep. He learned on his own to fall asleep in the crib. And has no weird side effects like people suggested he would from sleeping in the swing. I loved the swing and we still use it sometimes for naps, but he is doing really good falling asleep on his own in the crib. And we didn't have to go through the 'crying it out' phase or anything because he would fall right to sleep int he swing. So use the swing if she likes sleeping.

Answer 3

It does sound as though she is fussing. You could try controlled crying, where you leave her for 2-3 mins, then go back to her but do not speak, just lay your hand on her to let her know you're still there. She will probably cry for hours the first time, but she is testing you to see how distressed she has to get before you pick her up. It is hard and you feel so mean, but the crying time gradually reduces and after 2-3 days they have usually go the msg. There is nothing wrong with having her in the swing some of the time if it means you are getting a few hours sleep. Another idea maybe to try swaddling her as it does seem to make babies feel more secure. Hope things begin to improve and really don't let your family make you feel bad, they aren't the ones suffering sleepless nights. How you deal with it is up to you, she's your baby but if you need to talk to someone, speak to your health visitor who will be able to give you some advice too.

Answer 4

i know what you are going threw my daughter will be 2 months next week and from the day i brought her home she would not sleep in her bassinet, you know what i did, i would let her sleep on the couch, i would give her 1/3 of the couch and then make a barrier around her so she couldnt fall off and then i would sleep on the rest, well, just try what im doing... dont feel bad about leaveing her in the swing as long as she strapped in... what i am doing letting my daughter sleep whereever she wants cept our bed and the couch, like i will feed her and then put her in her swing to play/nap then next feeding i will put her in her crib then i go back and forth between the crib and swing and at night i will sleep on the hole couch and she will sleep in her bouncer she doesnt sleep as good as she did when she slept on the couch, but i garuntee if you try it this way you will see a difference in about a week 2 at max. i just started doing this about 2 1/2 weeks ago and she can sleep in her crib for about 2 hours at a time now, before i would just walk into the room and she would wake up screaming, even if she was in a dead sleep. its gonna be ruff for the first week but it gets way better.

by the way i would like to know how you are spoiling you baby if she was like this since you brought her home from the hospital they make you put the baby in the little crib when your in the hospital. i wouldnt listen to them they dont know what you do when they arnt there they have no room to judge saying your spoiling her.. i was told i spoil my baby too, i just ignore it, shes not even 2 months old there is no way i could spoil her. good luck though

Answer 5

The swing does not seem comfortable for a baby to sleep in all night. You have to put her in there and sad to say, just let her cry; eventually she will stop crying because she knows that you will not come get her; I guarantee you that one of the reasons she screams is because she knows that you will give in to her, it will hurt and it will be hard, but you have to suck it up and just do it because otherwise her next move will be in your bed and she will want to sleep there until she is 6 or older. You and your husband will have to make some adjustments until she finally sleeps in her crib. Give her a nice warm bath and either sing to her or read to her then put her to bed earlier than you and your husband go to sleep so that will give her a chance to cry without disturbing the two of your sleep. Leave out of the room and just let her cry; of course check on her every now and then but don' let her see you and DON'T GIVE IN, BY PICKING HER BACK UP!

Answer 6

You'll have to ween her from the swing to her crib in at a slow pace. Try putting her in her crib while she's still awake, say ten minutes at a time at first so she can familiarize herself with it. Then start removing her from her swing while she's sleeping and putting her in her crib. A little of this everyday will help ease the transition. Good luck!

Answer 7

put her in the crib and close the door she will cry at first then go to sleep it will take a few days break this now before she out grows the swing in about 3 months

Answer 8

i feel your pain. my son't 9 months old and when it was about 1 month, i started letting him sleep in the bed with me cuz it was easier... BIG MISTAKE, he cried sooo hard when i started putting him back in his own bed. but my husband and i just had to stick to our guns. children need discipline and routine. lay her down in her crib. say good night and walk out. sounds harsh, but it's ok. give her a few min. maybe 3 or 4 and then go back in but don't pick her up. give her a pacifier (if she's using one) and pat her back and tell her good night. walk out again. this time wait a few min. longer. maybe 5 or 10. keep being persistant with her. you want her to know you're not abandoning her and that you're there for her, but she needs to learn on her own that sleeping will be the same in her crib or swing. the first time with my son it took almost a solid hour, but since it's gotten sooo much easier. now we just walk him in and say goodnight and he kinda scrunches up his face a little and starts to fuss, but by the time we've walked down the hall he's stopped and laid down and is usually asleep w/in 5 minutes. it's okay to spoil children, but remember, if you ler her get away with it now, she'll expect you to always let her win. hope this helps.

Answer 9

You will probably unfortunately have to let her cry a little she will eventually get used to it i don't think its very safe for her to be sleeping in her swing anyway so it will be in her best interest to put her in her crib

Answer 10

i had the same problem you r just going to to have to let her cry for a little bit and she will put herself to sleep. I know its hard listening to her cry but its the only way.