One of the most difficult decisions parents have to make is when they should transition their baby from co-sleeping to a crib. So how can parents bring their babies to sleep in their own space and try to lessen the bedtime tears during the transition? There are benefits and drawbacks to both, and it can be hard to know the right time to make the switch.
It is not recommended for babies who are younger than one to practice co-sleeping with parents. It is ideal for an infant to sleep in the bedroom of parents which is close to the bed, but on a separate surface. For infants who are six months and even younger, this is very important.
When you try to stop co-sleeping with a toddler or older baby, the truth is, it will not be that easy. It will be even impossible that you’ll be able to transition over night! Though, you might still make it happen. However, it’s important to make the transition in a gentle and gradual way in order to make the process as stress-free as possible.
The following tips are what you need to know on how to transition baby from co sleeping to crib. Here is how to do it.
6 Tips to Transitioning Your Baby from Co-Sleeping to Crib 2021
Why is it important to transition?
Parents may come to a point that the noisy breathing or the baby’s wriggling may keep them awake at night. Or having the baby in your bed at night starts to affect your relationship, or even you read some research about the importance of transition. Regardless of reasons parents might have, there will come to a point that you’re ready to start the transition. That is the time to decide when to transition baby to crib in own room.
What is the best time to do it?
As parents, you need to determine when to move baby to crib. During the first few months, the baby grows at an incredible rate, and if he has grown out of the bassinet, that can be a good time for transition. You don’t want the baby to bump on the sides and wake up crying. Most go for transition when the baby is between 3 to g months. However, if your baby can still peacefully sleep in the bassinet, no need to rush the baby to go to the crib.
However, a younger baby can transition easier compared to the older baby who became comfortable in the bassinet already. In addition, don’t make any transition before you make a major change in his environment like moving to a new house or having a vacation.
How long should I wait before making the switch?
You have to choose a time wherein life is somehow calm and there are no other big changes like the coming of a new baby, or being in a new school, having a new caregiving, during weaning, potty training are happening. The toddler who is dealing with some of those major events and letting her make a transition to a new room might feel scared and overwhelmed. It is also important to do it in a gradual manner.
What if my baby is still sleeping in the co-sleeping position when I want to switch?
When you feel like you are ready, stop your sleeping arrangements out of your toddler’s room, instead, sit beside her bed or crib and stay there until he falls asleep. If the little one finds it tough, offer whatever necessary comfort he needs but don’t get into bed with him because you will go back to step one if that happens. Once he is asleep, just leave.
Gradual Crib Transitioning
Many search for some methods on how to transition to crib. One of them is to do gradual transitioning. Make some small changes every night that gradually decreases the need to help him fall asleep. Instead of holding him to sleep, put him down to the crib while awake and give him a pat until he falls asleep for a number of nights. Provide consistent verbal responses for the next few nights while standing in the doorway. After that, you can leave the room and go ahead, while returning as often as you want in order to provide a consistent response. It will take patience, practice, and being consistent, but you can do it! This kind of approach will work well for parents who are sad or nervous about transitioning to crib.
Bonus Tip
Instead of right away putting your toddler to his own room, put his crib first in your own bedroom for the start of your transition. The moment he made an adjustment of sleeping entirely in his own space, you can move the crib back to his room, it allows him to make one transition over time. Have a sleepover with him in his own room. Set up a sleeping bag or a cot on the floor and spend some few nights in there in order to reassure him and be comforted. Then you can move closer to the door gradually, leave quite a bit early on each night or try both as a combination.
There are other ways on how to get a baby to sleep in crib after co sleeping. You can also use another method which is the chair method. You place a chair beside the bed or crib and position yourself in there in order to offer a bit of comfort while he is settling in and adjusting to the new environment that he is having. Bit by bit, move the chair gradually away night after night until you’re out of the room and he is on his own.
Conclusion
Stick to whatever plan you ultimately decide on. If you change course or relent by letting your baby go back to your bed for a night, it will make the transition be prolonged and harder for everyone. There is no right or wrong on how to transition baby from co sleeping to crib and it needs patience and consistency as well.