Are You Tired Of Co-Sleeping? 5 Ways To Get Your Baby To Sleep Alone
Your baby probably sleeps the best when they are cuddled up in your arms. It can be hard to get your baby to learn to sleep alone in their crib, especially if you have been co-sleeping. However, sleeping in their crib is a safe place. It also allows them to have a much deeper and better sleep.
My oldest, Chris, went straight into a crib when we brought him home from the hospital. I’m thankful he was such a good baby and we didn’t have issues with him adjusting to the crib. When Hailee was born Chris was still in the crib. Hailee slept in a bassinet until we transitioned Chris to a bed a few months later. Transitioning Hailee to the crib didn’t go smoothly. She was used to the small space of the bassinet and it took time for her to adjust to the crib.
Prior to having Bella, I had never co-slept with my babies. That all changed when Bella was born premature and I was terrified to let her out of my sight. She had spent 17 days in the NICU and was still so tiny when she came home. I bought a co-sleeper to put beside me so I could keep an eye on her. I did attempt to use a bassinet, but she hated it.
She eventually got too big for the co-sleeper she was in and I started to place her beside me on the inner side of the couch. That went fine for a few weeks until one night she somehow managed to wiggle her way down and around me. She ended up falling off the couch. I felt so horrible, but thankfully our couch was low to the floor and we have carpet so it scared her more than hurt her. After that I had no choice, she had to start sleeping in her crib. It took a bit of time for us both to transition and I learned a few things along the way that helped a lot.
Some babies just don’t sleep well, and getting them to sleep through the night can be a chore. Training them to learn to sleep in their crib at an early age will truly benefit you greatly in the long run. You can find so many different methods on how to soothe your sweet newborn or let them cry it out, the method you choose is totally up to you.
So, if you are looking for ways to start your baby out sleeping in a crib or you are currently co-sleeping and want to wean the habit, these tips might help you.
5 Ways To Get Your Baby To Sleep Alone
When we are desperate for sleep we will do just about anything to catch some shut-eye. We get in the habit of co-sleeping, or we rock them until they fall asleep. While it is totally normal, when we create these habits it can make it hard for your baby to sleep alone in the future.
Try these tips to help your baby sleep alone, and get you a more rested night of sleep. It won’t be easy for some parents, but if you are consistent, in time it will work.
Put Down Awake But Sleepy
The best time to take your baby into their crib is when they are sleepy but still awake. Lay your sweetie down and check on them every five to ten minutes. See if he can fall asleep on his own. This is a wonderful way to help teach your baby to sleep alone, instead of you rocking them to sleep then putting them into the crib. Just make sure you don’t wait till they are overtired, that is a recipe for disaster!
Swaddle or Sleep Sack
If your baby is young swaddle them, if they have outgrown swaddling then try a sleep sack. The swaddle will be warm, and help them stay comforted through the night and feel like they are protected. With newborns their nervous system is still developing so it helps with their arms flailing around, and jolting them awake. Or lay them down and gently rub his tummy to soothe him, to coax him to sleep.
Eliminate Movement
A lot of times parents have their child fall asleep in a swing, or take them for a car ride when they are desperate. If your child loves the stroller, swing or car seat, try to put him in and not go anywhere and eliminate the movement. If your baby needs walked around to fall asleep, try holding them and just stand instead of walking around the room. This will help stop the motion soothing that they feel. It might not be easy, but in time they won’t need the moving motion to fall asleep.
Sound Machine
Having a sound machine that offers white nose, waves crashing, birds and nature, or something else that is soothing can help your baby to sleep alone. Make sure it is at a nice low volume that can become soothing to your baby.
Create a Habit
Babies need and crave habit, so each night try to create the same routine. Wind down about 30 minutes before you lay them down. Some great routines to start are having a bath with nighttime lotion, reading a book, and turning the lights down. This will begin to create a routine and your baby will learn that soon it is bedtime.
Do you have any other tips that helped you wean your little one from co-sleeping? Let us know in the comment section below!
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Elizabeth Matthiesen says
Love these ideas, just wish that these would have helped my daughter she tried all sorts and then some. Went to a sleep clinic with him several times and they told her she was doing everything right which isn’t much comfort when a baby won’t sleep for long. Her second wasn’t much better but her third sleeps like an angel.