How can I make the transition from bassinet to crib easy?
Baby Bedding
LiL’ Momma asked:
I have a 7 week old little girl and I want to have her start sleeping in her own room in her crib. But I tried last night and all she did was scream. I tried to let her cry it out for a few minutes but she never fell asleep. I picked her up and rocked her to sleep and then put her in her crib but she woke up after about 5 minutes and wouldn’t stay asleep in her crib. Any advise?
Ryan
I have a 7 week old little girl and I want to have her start sleeping in her own room in her crib. But I tried last night and all she did was scream. I tried to let her cry it out for a few minutes but she never fell asleep. I picked her up and rocked her to sleep and then put her in her crib but she woke up after about 5 minutes and wouldn’t stay asleep in her crib. Any advise?
Ryan
March 27th, 2009 at 8:28 am
Rachel
You can get a snuggle nest and put it in the crib. It will help make the crib feel more like a bassinet.
March 28th, 2009 at 11:14 am
Ralph
be consistent. keep on it. try to create an enviornment in the crib as close as what was in the bassinet.
March 29th, 2009 at 4:30 pm
Duane
My son slept in his crib 1/2 a night. He is still in our bed, he is 20 months old, If I knew the answer I would tell you believe me.
March 30th, 2009 at 2:18 pm
Sara
if you can make the transition for naps first then do the overnight they sell this foam sleep aid that has sides that keep the baby in position which also makes the crib feel smaller can’t remember the name….
March 31st, 2009 at 1:16 am
Eric
you really have to start this from day one and use the crib for night sleeping and only the bassinet during the days when you need to..if you don’t need to then put baby in the crib. Babies get used to routines too so whatever you start out with you better be willing to stick it out!
April 1st, 2009 at 3:09 pm
Minnie
why dont u put her to sleep in her cribs when she takes her nap that will make her more used to it. when she wakes up rock her and put her back in the same crib..day by day she will get used to it, dont give up..make sure her bed is comfortable..good luck
April 4th, 2009 at 2:57 am
Glenn
we put our son in the crib from day one, i know it seems so big and uninviting but you must be consistant and get her used to her bed now you will thank yourself later.
April 5th, 2009 at 3:45 am
Anne
If the bassinet detaches from the base or something -some do believe it or not- try putting the bassinet inside of the crib. That will give your little girl a sense of security. Gradually, she should get used to the crib and the room, and eventually she’ll start sleeping in her crib.
And as painful as it sounds, you might just have to let her cry it out. It will not harm her and she might cry herself to sleep that way. We had to do that, and it worked after a while. Just go and check on her to make sure she’s not too cold or hot or she’s not in any uncomfortable positions every half hour or so. And whatever you do, don’t pick her up unless it’s been about two hours or so. Give her some time, she’ll gradually get used to it. Also maybe you can start putting her in it when you run to the bathroom or take a quick shower during the daytime, so she can at least get used to being inside of her crib.
Also, if you don’t have one, invest the money into a mobile. That helped my daughter with the transition from our bed to her crib. They hear the music and become fascinated with it, and then they forget what they were crying about.
April 7th, 2009 at 8:44 pm
Jean
Start with nap time during the day. Put her in there to look around and play while she is happy, and not hungry so she can get used to it.
April 8th, 2009 at 1:12 am
Emily
Please don’t let your daughter cry it out! A 7 week old cries because she needs something, not because she is being stubborn. She needs to learn that you are there when she communicates to you. In a few months, you can let her cry a little but she’s still pretty young.
My suggestion: the safest place for your baby is in her crib or bassinet in your room–it is one way to protect against SIDS. If you really want her out of your room, how about moving the bassinet into her room and let her sleep there for a while? She isn’t at any risk of falling out yet. New babies like the confined area since they are used to being inside you. You can also swaddle her to see if that helps. We kept our baby in the bassinet until she was sitting up at around four months then transitioned her into the portable crib by our bed. By that time, she was big enough that she filled the space more.