How do I go about getting my 3 month old to sleep in her crib?
Baby Bedding
lady2 asked:
I have a 3 month old baby.Okay I will admit at first I was a little afraid to let her sleep alone.I was scared she would spit up and choke in her sleep or something.I’m over that now.I want to start putting her in her crib at night.I put her in there during the day for naps and she does just fine but at night she has a fit.I guess that could be because her hrs are all backward too.Does anyone think that it is ok to just let her cry herself to sleep?I mean if she has been changed,fed,burped and is comfortable.Should I just let her cry it out.I dont want her sleeping in the bed with us forever.I want her to be independent.Thanks!
Erik
I have a 3 month old baby.Okay I will admit at first I was a little afraid to let her sleep alone.I was scared she would spit up and choke in her sleep or something.I’m over that now.I want to start putting her in her crib at night.I put her in there during the day for naps and she does just fine but at night she has a fit.I guess that could be because her hrs are all backward too.Does anyone think that it is ok to just let her cry herself to sleep?I mean if she has been changed,fed,burped and is comfortable.Should I just let her cry it out.I dont want her sleeping in the bed with us forever.I want her to be independent.Thanks!
Erik
March 28th, 2009 at 8:35 pm
Rosa
Don’t worry so much. Is this your first child? She will be okay. Just don’t let her cry and cry until it makes her sick. If she is just fussy its okay. thats how she will learn. If she starts screaming just go in and tell her that its bedtime, tuck her in and give her kisses and tell her you love her and walk out of the room. It will take a little for her to adjust but I guarantee she will be sleeping like a baby (even though she is) within a week. You definetly do not want her sleeping with you you are right. That is your time with your husband or what not. She will learn, it won’t take long. You just have to show her that you are in charge and it goes by your rules…she is not in charge. When she crys and you go and baby her or bring her in bed with you she realizes she has control of you and will do it the next time and the next and so on and so forth. It’ll be okay. Good luck and don’t worry so much…mothering is something that is learned, yet, it is also natural. Go with your gut. =)
March 31st, 2009 at 1:20 pm
Carla
“crying it out” is NOT a healthy option…
Read this book.
April 3rd, 2009 at 7:09 pm
Frank
Yes its ok to let her cry herself to sleep if everything has been taken care of. In time she wont be as fussy.
April 4th, 2009 at 3:50 pm
Ida
at 3 months she is still to young to let her cry it out.
you should start that at 6 months.
You are doing good to let her sleep in the crib for her naps, when she wakes up from her naps don’t go in and get her right away, unless of course she is screaming. Let her play for about 5 min, which will help her get used to the crib.
Start a bedtime routine with her, and always put her in her crib no matter what, you might have to rock her to sleep but put her in her crib when she is asleep. and always in her crib.
I am a BIG fan of ferbizing, I have done it to my kids and kids i watched at my daycare but 3 months is still to young.
she will get used to the crib, just make sure she is using it
April 7th, 2009 at 7:49 am
Joann
She won’t be in your bed forever! I promise!
And letting her “CIO” can actually increase dependance because of the trauma babies who are left to cry go through.
CIO won’t teach her anything except that mom isnt there when she needs you.
What I would do is nurse my son until he was out and then i would slowly and gently lower him into his cradle and I’d have some music playing.
He still comes to my bed when he wakes up, but he sleeps in his crib just fine, too.
April 7th, 2009 at 11:52 pm
Carrie
I think she is too young and shouldn’t be left to cry it out. Not all kids are able to go to sleep by themseves. Some just need to be put down and they would go to sleep. some need to be put to sleep and then put to bed. u can feed her when she is tired. She will b down while feeding and then u can put her in her own crib. I hve a 4 months old. She has ben sleeping in her crib from the beginning except for the first 3-4 days.
Hope it helps.
April 11th, 2009 at 9:01 am
Sara
It doesnt hurt to let a baby cry to put her to bed at night .The longer you wait to put them in there and let them sleep with you the harder it is to ge them to go in there own bed.
April 11th, 2009 at 3:13 pm
Mathew
No! She is way to little to cry it out. Research has shown that babies who are quickly attended to when upset, and even better - cosleeping and such - turn out to be more secure and independent older kids and adults. The reason is this: crying is a baby’s only way to communicate. If you let a baby cry and don’t respond, they learn that it is hopeless to try to communicate and they give up. They can learn to internalize, feel insecure, become needy and clingy, etc.
On the other hand, if you are very attentive and affectionate with your baby, she will grow up knowing she is loved and that her needs will be met and will be a more secure person.
If you want her out of your bed because you fear you will ’spoil’ her, fear not. If her presence in bed is affecting your relationship, or otherwise is a serious need, try a cradle in your room, a bed-side co-sleeper, or lay by her on a mattress until she falls asleep then go to your bed, or something like that. The fact is, she just isn’t probably ready to not have the security of you nearby, and I encourage you to go with that if you can. Do what you must, but don’t let her cry for long alone. Don’t worry, it won’t last forever! Enjoy this cuddling while you can because it will seem like minutes and she will be independent!
April 12th, 2009 at 2:29 pm
Sean
Just put her in the crib with some monitors and let her cry herself to sleep. That’s your first mistake not putting her in the crib first place now you’ve got to get used to the crying for a couple of weeks while she adjusts to the change.
April 14th, 2009 at 7:28 am
Francis
forever? she is only three months old. Put her in baed with you and get some sleep!!!!
April 16th, 2009 at 2:26 pm
Dustin
This has been an ongoing debate with parents for a LONG TIME. I am all for letting her cry it out, first night for 5 minutes, then go in the room, DO NOT PICK HER UP, just rub her back for a moment, and then leave. I promise you, by the third night it will take her less than 5 minutes to fall asleep, and by day 7 she won’t even cry. I did this with my one and only daughter, whom I love beyond all measure, and believe me, it was FINE, it is not cruel. Also, it helps you if you want to get your baby on a routine, which is important for babes, makes them feel secure. I couldn’t bear to hear her cry those first two nights, but at the end of the week, boy was I ever glad that I stuck to my guns! Good luck.
April 18th, 2009 at 8:48 pm
Anna
It is okay to let her cry. Have you tried a music box?
April 19th, 2009 at 10:08 pm
Clyde
If your baby is jsut fussing a bit it is ok but is she is really crying you should go in and just touch her to let you know your there. No picking her up or talking just touch. Maybe if you had a nightlight it would help if she does fine in it during the day. Hope it helps.
April 21st, 2009 at 3:39 am
Scott
If you had put her into her own cot at night from the start this problem wouldn’t have happened.
I would not let her cry it out. Put her down & sing or use soothing talk & patting to reassure her. When she is asleep - tippy toe out. She may wake during the night at first & then I would repeat the same. Don’t take her out of the room.
This will have to be done repeatedly for a short time but she will get it & be happy to be in her own cot. Just be patient & strong yourself.
The most worrying problem re babies/small children sleeping in with adults is that they can be suffocated by an adult rolling onto them while asleep.
April 21st, 2009 at 1:49 pm
Raymond
During the first year of a babies life the main goal is developing trust with you!!! Unless there is an immediate need for her to be out of your bed, don’t force it. It is a comfort thing for her.
If you do decide to let her cry it out, just continue to go in and see her every few minutes. Pick her up, let her know you haven’t abandoned her and then put her back down. It will be a long few nights the first week!!!
It will not hurt her to cry it out, but 3 months is a little young. We co-slept for the first 12 months of all our childrens lives (We have a 3 year old and 1 year old twins). I think it helps with the bonding and development of trust! Everyone is different and every child is different. Good luck, I know it is sooooo hard being a parent sometimes!
April 23rd, 2009 at 6:00 pm
Clinton
Personally I don’t believe the cry it out method is safe or healthy especially at that young of an age. The baby is still learning if they can depend on you are not and in the process of learning to form a secure attachment to you. She will become independent in her own time. It is more important now that the baby feels safe and secure. Why don’t you start having the baby take naps in the crib when it is daylight and she feels safe. Let her spend a little time playing in the crib to so she know it as a safe place. Letting her cry it out will only let her feel scared in her crib which is supposed to be comforting. You can comfort her when you get to the point on putting her to sleep in her room. Just make sure you lay her down awake yet drowsy. There is a whole plan in Elizabeth Pantleys No cry sleep solution book. Good Luck!
April 26th, 2009 at 11:12 am
Julia
Yes let her cry…and if she doesnt stop and there is nothing wrong you may need to try some nice music in the backround..She will grow out of it but you have to stay strong and not take her out everytime she cries…