Mother-control-baby?

Question

I have a ten week old son. He has been sleeping with me. I want to put up his crib in his room, however I don't know how and my mom and dad are the only ones who know how to put it up. My mom doesn't want to because of space and how much time it takes to set it up. They are coming over later, I told them they should see him but really I want to ask them. They are coming at 8:00 PM. (in a hour) How do you think I approach them and get them to set it up. Or do you know any alternatives.

We don't have the instuctions manual anymore, it was mine when I was little, but in GREAT condition.

He doesnt sleep in BED with me. He sleeps next to the bed in a bassinet.

Answer 1

You could always start to try to set it up on your own. When they show up you can show them how far you have gotten and ask for any suggestions. If they want to help you out they can. If they don't want to help you should try to do it yourself. Compared to raising a child, putting together a crib should not be too difficult!

Also, it is not recommended that babies sleep in adult beds or with adults. It increases the risks of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome. I am sure you feel like you could never accidently roll over on your own child, but it has been known to happen, but besides that, you could accidently move the blankets in such a way that they cover the his mouth and nose and smother him. Also, the mattress on your bed is much softer than the mattress in a crib, allowing him to sink in deeper and possibly accidently roll, especially with your weight on the mattress tilting it a bit.

If your mom thinks that the baby should continue sleeping with you instead of in his own crib, you could mention that the baby's doctor recommends him to have his own bed. While you might not have discussed this with his pediatrician, I can almost guarantee that he or she would say the same thing.

Congratulations on your little bundle of joy and good luck with the crib and keeping your little boy as safe and healthy as possible!

Edit: If he is happily and safely sleeping in his bassinette, maybe you could make an appointment with them to come over and put it together for you at a time convenient for them.

Also, an older crib runs a risk of safety issues. To be sure that the slats are safe, you should not be able to pass a soda can between two bars. If you can then they are too far apart and you should really invest in a new one if you can. Also, be sure that it was never painted before 1980 or so because the paint could contain lead.

Answer 2

Your child should be sleeping in a crib at this age. Setting up a crib should take no more than an hour or two if it's a quality crib. The time commitment is a small price to pay considering the possibility of hurting the child if you accidentally roll over or shift in your sleep.

However - you're capable enough to get pregnant, therefore, you're capable enough to be able to do pretty much anything without Mommy and Daddy doing it for you.

Here's your problem: according to your post, you want them to "get them to set it up," which strikes me as a little self-centered. This kind of statement makes your parents do all the work while you do nothing but watch.

Bottom line - ask your parents if they will "help YOU put up the crib." This places the ultimate responsibility on you (it is your child, after all...) but we all need help from time to time. If they refuse, you will still have to figure out how to do it yourself; a streak of independence you should be fostering anyway.

Answer 3

Easy one.
Get out a hammer and a screwdriver and when they come over, hand grandma the baby and go start trying to put the crib together.. I can pretty much guarantee that grandpa's male instincts will take over and he'll come "save" you...

If he doesn't get the hint, and you really want to get your son in his room, then maybe it would pay to get a used portacrib at the thrift shop, just wash it out really well and you are pretty much bound to be able to put that up. They are smaller and usually have wheels so you can take him in the living room with you to keep an eye on him if you wish.

Shame on grandma and grandpa for not giving you basic living skills like assembling something !!

Answer 4

Please make sure your crib meets today's standards for safety. If so then I would pull the crib out in peices and leave it laying on the floor where it will be set up. Once they get there greet them and say, I am glad your here, I was just setting up the crib and I have a question, take them to where the crib is ask them what is this for? Show them something and hopefully your dad will offer to set it up for you, for fear of you putting it together the wrong way.
Good luck!

Answer 5

Screw all those rude people with their nasty answers.
Ask someone else to help, or maybe go online and type in the kind of crib it is. See if you can get the instructions online. Or see if you can find a number to the manufacturer and maybe they can talk you through it or send you a copy of the instructions.
NOBODY IS PERFECT. Moms should support each other, and stop being so damn critical. We're all doing the best we can here.
Also, if you're nursing him--yes, it's not doctor recommended for them to sleep with you, but my six month old breastfed daughter still sleeps with us at night. And she is developing fine.

Answer 6

Tel them you are so scared because last night you almost rolled over on the baby. That ought to be enough to get their grandparent worrying to kick in and decide that it is defenitely time to put him in his crib. Or just insist after all I'm sure they understood that when they gave you the crib with no instructions that putting it together was part of the deal. Good Luck.

Answer 7

Cribs aren't hard to put together. Give it a try. If you happen to be in the middle of trying when they show up you may get a little help. Good luck!

Answer 8

You can figure it out. It isn't that hard. It is harder to make a baby then it is to put up a crib. If it didn't come with instructions, look them up online, or look at the picture on the box and make it match. If you are having issues this early, just wait until he starts walking!

OR, I know....get his daddy to do it!

Answer 9

go buy a pack-and-play. they are super easy and take up less room than a huge crib, plus you can easily tuck it into a closet when you dont need it.

i actually keep my pack-n-play in the back of my car so he can take a nap whenever and wherever we are! they really are so small and convinient! it literally takes like 3 minutes to put it together once you get the hang of it.

if you need any more help or support, feel free to email me ok?

Answer 10

take it out before they come over and act like you are trying to get it together, then when they come tell them you have no idea how to do it then maybe they will help you, make sure you take it out and put all the parts in the way of every thing, then maybe they will help just to get it out of the way by putting it together