Sleeping in a crib is often a big transition for a family. You might be used to nursing your newborn to sleep and then settling her in her co-sleeper or bassinet. As an infant grows, a crib is often the next stage that provides a safe sleeping location. While sleeping in a crib isn't difficult, separation can be, for both you and your baby. Getting an infant to sleep in a crib requires a plan and consistency for success.
Step 1
Check your crib to ensure it meets current safety requirements before you put your infant into it. If you've inherited a crib, or are uncertain of its manufacture date, check that the distance between the slats is no larger than 2 3/8 inches to avoid any potential for strangulation. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that any crib be certified by the Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association to ensure it is safe. Additionally, the AAP recommends removing any blankets, toys, stuffed pillows or soft bedding to minimize suffocation hazards.
Step 2
Observe your baby's response to swaddling and decide how he'll sleep. If you're placing a newborn in a crib, many prefer a tight swaddle to help minimize their startle reflex and keep them snug when sleeping. Older infants often prefer a looser swaddle, or a simple sleep sack with a blanket tucked on either side of the mattress to keep them in place.
Step 3
Establish a nighttime routine to create consistency and help your baby understand that it's time for sleep. Baby's thrive on schedules. So much is new to them that the consistency of bath, feeding, diaper change, lullaby and being put in the crib helps them transition more easily to sleep when it happens night after night.
Step 4
Get your baby ready for sleep and put her in the crib on her back. The AAP recommends the "back to sleep" position to minimize the potential of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome.
Step 5
Respond to your baby's cries. While many sleep experts weigh in with varied sleep training, including the concept of letting your baby "cry it out," sleep expert Jodi Mindell, writing for the website Baby Center, recommends that babies be put to bed while they are still awake so that they can learn to soothe themselves, a critical skill to ensure a steady night of sleep. Additionally, a newborn requires feeding every two to three hours due to her small stomach size, so it's crucial to respond to nighttime crying. Once your baby is three to 6 months old, you can try sleep training, while being sensitive to your baby's particular needs.
