Wondering how to get your baby to fall asleep in their crib? Then you are in the right place. Often, it seems like your baby is only falling asleep in your arms during the day.
You probably wonder when you should even attempt to have your baby fall asleep in their room in their crib. I’m sure the baby’s room is decorated beautifully, yet no baby in there to enjoy it.
Getting your baby to nap in their crib can seem like a daunting task, but it is possible with a little patience and perseverance. Here are a few tips to help you get started.
First, try to put your baby down for a nap when they are sleepy but not yet exhausted. If they are too tired, they may have difficulty falling asleep. Second, create a relaxing environment in their room by dimming the lights and using calming white noise.
Third, stay with them for a few minutes as they fall asleep, but don’t stay in the room until they are completely asleep. This will allow them to learn how to fall asleep on their own.
Finally, be consistent with your approach and don’t give up if they don’t fall asleep right away. With a little time and effort, you will be able to get your baby napping peacefully in their crib!
How do you get the Baby to Sleep in Crib After Co-Sleeping?
The best way to get your baby to sleep in their crib after co-sleeping is to do it slowly. Get your child comfortable in their crib and gradually start having them fall asleep in there for longer stretches.
I transitioned my kids around four months for nighttime sleep and started a nap routine in the baby’s room shortly before four months. I feel that for the first few months, it is important for them to be close by. Not only do they need to be fed often, but they also wake up often, and the closer they are, the better.
Plus, you want to be near your baby shortly after you bring the baby home. Check out these 10 Newborn Hacks Super Helpful for new moms. They are a game-changer for the first few months.
My kids were ready to have their own space before I was. I cried my first night away from each of them. But they loved being in their crib.
They started sleeping so much better after transitioning. My daughter didn’t start sleeping through the night until she was eight months. But, my son slept through the night right away.
How do you begin transitioning to the baby’s room and a crib?
Knowing when the time is right to start transitioning your baby to their own room for naps can be challenging. However, there are a few tell-tale signs that your baby is ready to make the move.
For one, if your baby has started resisting nap time or expressing interest in exploring their surroundings, they may be ready for a change of scenery. Additionally, if your home is feeling cramped or you think your baby would benefit from having their own space, it may be time to consider a move.
Once you’ve decided that it’s time to transition to a crib and room for naps, you can do a few things to make the process as smooth as possible. First, establish a nap routine with your baby. This will help them understand that naps are a regular part of the day and should take place in their crib.
Second, create an optimal sleep environment for your baby by ensuring the room is dark, quiet, and comfortable. Finally, be patient and flexible as you adjust to this new nap setup. With a little time and effort, you and your baby will be nap-time pros in no time!
How to transition baby to crib from Rock n Play
Before my kids were sleeping in their crib, they were in a pack n’ play next to my bed. I’m sure you have your baby in something similar to a bassinet or the Rock n’ Play.
It is important to note that Rock n’ Play is not safe for babies to sleep in; they have been recalled. Make sure you are using a safe sleeping area for your baby. Transition your baby to a crib and immediately out of the rock n’ play.
Smaller spaces for your newborn are best in the beginning, but eventually, they need more room. My babies also had a pack n’ play with a bassinet downstairs, where they would usually take naps. I loved the pack ‘n play that also had a changing table like this one here.
Steps for How to Get Baby to Nap in Crib
Getting your baby comfortable in their own space is key to having them love their space. Creating a peaceful sleep environment for your baby is an important step in helping them learn to nap in their own space. Here are a few things you can do to get your baby comfortable napping in their crib and fall asleep fast.
Step 1: Spend time in their room/space.
Start taking them to their room often. I would take them to their room and lay them in their crib while organizing their baby clothes or cleaning the baby’s room.
Let them spend time exploring their crib while they are awake. Ensure the crib is at the right height for your baby. Utilize the adorable mobile you got during your baby shower. Or if you don’t have one, make one!
You can buy the motor and arms separately (like this one here) and attach pictures of the family, animals, or anything else you want to the arms, and they can watch it spin around.
Have them do tummy time in their crib. Attach a tummy time mirror to the side of the crib so they can try to look at themselves.
Get a comfy chair to breastfeed in and start nursing and/or bottle-feeding whenever you can near their crib. Breastfeeding before naptime or bedtime can be a relaxing part of their routine.
Start to have story time in their room or next to their crib before nap time.
Talk to them and tell them all about their room and describe all the items in the room. You want them to spend as much time in the room as possible so they get used to it.
Get them a baby bouncer or jumper to play in while you hang out in their room. The key is to get them comfortable in their room before attempting to have them sleep in their own bed alone.
Once they are comfortable and happy to be in their room, you can move on to getting the baby to nap in their crib.
Step 2: Sleep Train Naps First
Start sleep training for naps in their crib first. You can start with the morning nap. Once they are comfortable taking their morning nap in their room, you can start laying them down for all naps in their crib.
The first few may not be for very long. They are now trying to get used to the new sleeping arrangements. But that is okay.
For a while, I would have them take their morning nap in their crib as long as they would, and then if they were really restless before their nap should be over, I would babywear them for the rest of their nap.
The key is to always start in their crib for each nap. Before you know it, they will sleep in the crib for their whole nap time. While trying to complete step 2, you can work on step 3 simultaneously.
Step 3: Establish a bedtime routine.
Having a good bedtime and nap routine is important in getting your baby to nap without having to cry it out. They need to tell when it is bedtime to know it is now time to sleep a longer stretch.
Before you can get the baby to sleep in their crib comfortably at night, step 2 should be complete. Until then, ensure you are still doing the bedtime routine in their room.
Here is an example of the bedtime routine I used for both my kids in the beginning (it changed a little as they got older):
- wash up every day-hands, feet, and face/neck (bath or shower with baby a few times a week) these washcloths here are amazing, so soft on baby’s skin
- baby massage with coconut oil (see how to do the I Love You baby massage here)
- put on clean diaper and pajamas
- read books (check out these for some great gift ideas)
- sing lullaby
- give a bottle or nurse
- swaddle if they are young enough
- rock them in dark until sleepy
- gently put them in bed when they are just about to sleep
- turn on a white noise machine
Step 4: Start having them sleep in the crib.
Once they are comfortable taking naps in their crib and a good bedtime routine is established, they can now sleep in their crib and stay asleep. If you gradually do all the steps and have patience, you can get your baby to sleep in their crib even after co-sleeping.
How to Get Baby to Sleep in Crib Without Crying it Out
Depending on how old they are, they may not be ready to sleep through the night, but they can still get good sleep. Some babies may still want to nurse at least once a night until almost 1. My daughter nursed at night until about eight months. My son slept through the night at five months. Sleep training a breastfed baby doesn’t have to be difficult.
It just depends on their needs. Before you rush into the room at the slightest sound, make sure they want something. Babies make a lot of noise throughout the night, especially during deep sleep, and sometimes will be fine within minutes without any help.
My daughter would sometimes cry in her sleep. It would freak me out, and I would run into her room and wake her up. Then it would take almost an hour to put her back down.
Once I learned to wait a few minutes before going in, I could then tell when she was crying in her sleep and really awake. That is one piece of advice I wish to go back and tell myself as a new mom.
This is when having a baby monitor with a camera is helpful. You can see what they are doing, whether they are trying to adjust or self-soothe, and when they need something.
The final step is a step that needs to be done the entire time for better sleep.
Step 5: Be consistent!
Consistency is key to making any of the steps work. Babies are all about routine. They like to know what is coming.
Once they are used to going to bed, they will look forward to it and anticipate it. Every bedtime will get easier and easier, and so will the baby’s temperament during night sleep. Naps and bedtime will be welcomed.
Babies need a lot of sleep and are more agreeable when they get the sleep they need. They are easier to put to bed when they get all the necessary sleep.
But it takes a while for them to learn how to put themselves to sleep. However, with consistency you can sleep train them without having them cry it out.
By giving them consistency, routine, and a good sleep environment, you are helping to give them the tools for good sleep. To easily help your baby or toddler through a time change, slightly change their routine over a week or more.
Even if you think it is not working, one day it will. Always start by putting them in their crib before they fall asleep. If they make a complete fuss and you want to take them out, do it!
But the next time baby naps, start them out in the crib again. Eventually, it all works out, and your baby will sleep in their crib without being held, even for nighttime sleep.
Stay with it! And soon, you will be having sweet, sweet dreams!
FAQs for Getting Baby to Nap in Crib
1. What do you do when the baby won’t nap in the crib?
If your baby falls asleep in your arms or in their stroller, it can be tempting to just let them stay there. However, it’s important to try to put them down in their crib as soon as possible. When babies sleep in their crib, they are more likely to sleep for longer periods and get the deep, restorative sleep they need.
There are a few things you can do to help encourage your baby to fall asleep in their crib. First, make sure the environment is silent and dark. Second, try rocking or patting them until they’re drowsy but still awake. Finally, put them down in their crib while they’re still awake so they can learn to self-soothe and fall asleep on their own.
2. When should babies start napping in a crib?
There’s no definitive answer to the question of when babies should start napping in a crib, as every baby is different. However, most experts agree that around 3-4 months old is usually a good time to start. At this age, babies are typically able to sleep for longer periods of time, so they’re less likely to wake up when they’re moved from a bassinet or other sleeping surface to a crib.
Additionally, sleeping in a crib will help babies get used to the idea of sleeping in their own bed, which can be helpful when they start sleeping through the night. Of course, if your baby seems uncomfortable or unhappy when napping in a crib, you can always try again later. Ultimately, the best way to figure out when the baby is ready to start napping in a crib is to experiment and see what works best for your little one.
3. How do I get my toddler to nap in his crib instead of arms?
It can be difficult to get a toddler to nap in his or her crib, especially if they are used to being rocked or held while they sleep. However, there are a few things you can do to help encourage your child to nap in their crib. First, try to put them down for a nap at the same time each day. This will help to establish regular sleep cycles.
Second, ensure the environment is conducive to sleep, with dim lighting and calm music. Finally, give your child plenty of cuddles and kisses before putting them down in their crib. With a little patience and consistency, you should be able to help your toddler develop healthy sleep habits.
4. How do I get my baby to nap without being held?
They were used to a small space or snuggling in someone’s arms. It took some getting used to their huge crib. Once babies get familiar with their new space, though, they will love it.
Ideally, you want your baby to fall asleep on their own, so they can learn to self-soothe and get back to sleep if they wake up at night. Start establishing a good sleep environment to help your baby learn to fall asleep without being held. This means having a quiet, dark, and cool room for the baby to sleep in. It’s also important to create a consistent bedtime routine, including calming activities like reading or rocking.
Once she’s drowsy but not yet asleep, put her down in their crib and have a good bedtime routine. You can offer brief reassurance if they fuss, but try to avoid picking them up or prolonging the bedtime routine. With your patience and consistency, your baby will learn to fall asleep on their own.
Conclusion
Many babies nap better when in their cribs than in other places, like a car seat or swing. But getting your baby to nap in her crib can be challenging if she’s used to falling asleep in your arms or somewhere else.
Most babies will take to sleeping in their crib if you follow a few simple steps. First, make sure their room is comfortable and familiar to them. Establish a bedtime routine that includes calming activities such as reading or singing.
Then, start with morning naps in the crib and work toward nighttime sleep. Finally, be consistent with your approach and don’t give up if there are a few setbacks. In addition, use white noise to help soothe your baby and block distractions. With a little patience and perseverance, you’ll have your baby sleeping soundly in no time.
