Some parents prefer that their baby sleep in the same room or bed as they do, a practice often referred to as cosleeping or bed sharing. But according to the website Kids Health, this practice can become a problem if your baby starts to rely on your presence to fall asleep. With patience and consistency, you can train your baby to sleep in his own bed. According to the website Babycenter, it's good to begin this training when your baby is between 3 and 6 months of age.
Step 1
Establish a consistent bedtime routine. Practicing the same series of calming events every night helps your baby understand that is bedtime and can make her more likely to fall asleep in her own bed. Try a routine that combines a bath with a lullaby or short story to make up your routine.
Step 2
Put your baby to sleep at the same time every night. This helps regulate his internal clock so that he will be sleepy every night at the same time.
Step 3
Place your baby in her bed while she is drowsy but still awake. This helps her learn to soothe herself to go to sleep. If she is overtired when you lay her down, she might be too cranky to fall asleep.
Step 4
Sit next to his crib while he tries to go to sleep. According to Babycenter, your baby might find it comforting to have you next to him.
Step 5
Move a few feet farther away from her bed each night until you are sitting at the door while she goes to sleep.
Step 6
Allow your baby to cry if he wakes up in the middle of the night. He might just need a few minutes to calm himself down. If he needs a diaper change, change him quickly and gently without talking or playing, so that he understands it is still nighttime.
Step 7
Offer your baby a comforting object to help her sleep in her own bed. According to the University of Illinois Extension, you should offer her a pacifier when she is still awake.
Tips and Warnings
- If you prefer that your baby still sleep in the same room with you but not in your bed, try putting him in a portable crib that can attach or sit right next to your bed. According to Kids Health, it is best to train your baby to sleep on her own by the time she is 6 months old. This will allow her to learn before her sense of separation anxiety develops. Talk to your baby's doctor if she does not seem to be able to fall asleep in her own bed.
