Baby Moving to Her Own Crib

Updated on July 12, 2008
M.C. asks from Pasadena, CA
14 answers

My daughter who is 8 months old has shared a bed with me since she was born, now I have to put her in her own crib. She sleeps with me because my husband was in Iraq and it was just easier for me to have her with me in my big empty bed, but he will be home on Sunday (YEA!!!) and she will no longer be able to sleep with me, I was wondering if anyone had any advice about what I can do to make this easier on everyone especially my daughter. Thank you

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K.S.

answers from Atlanta on

OOOPS you may need to get her there immediately. Hopefully she won't resent her dad taking her place. If you start right now... you MAY have enough time for her to not associate her removal from her mothers side by this intruder.

just my two cents.

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A.P.

answers from Atlanta on

I'm with Connie on this one. She's happily used to snuggling to sleep with her favorite person in the whole world! Transitioning slowly shoud be easiest on her. The book mentioned, The No Cry Sleep Solution, was a great suggestion, and also the idea of the co-sleeper. If you let her sleep next to your bed, she'll know you're there without your husband feeling displaced. He will probably enjoy seeing her smiling face in the morning too, especially since he's missed the time with her. AND THANK YOU FOR YOUR FAMILY'S SACRIFICE!! We are SO grateful!!!

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F.N.

answers from Savannah on

Start NOW putting her in her crib. She will cry since she isn't use to it. Put her there to nap as well as to play with a few of her favorite toys. When she crys you can't give into her. She will eventually get use to it but it will take some time. You probably should have started a couple of weeks ago but better late than never.

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B.

answers from Augusta on

I would start by getting the book " no cry sleep solution" by elizabeth pantley. and next I would put something in the crib with her that smells like you, ie, your shirt you've worn all day, pillow case from the night before or a stuffed animal you've slept with. Put her in there for naps, do not let her cry it out that will only make it worse.

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V.E.

answers from Atlanta on

You are not allowing much time for this adjustment to happen and now Daddy will be in the picture. I would suggest holding/rocking her to sleep and putting her into her own bed. Give her a stuffed toy to cuddle with. Be sure the crib is not in your room as your and your wonderful hubby need some alone time. Hopefully he can be involved in her bedtime rituals that will develop. Maybe he will rock her, sing to her or whatever seems to help her get sleepy. The bath about 30 minutes before bedtime should help too.

1 mom found this helpful

E.M.

answers from Atlanta on

Well it is going be tough since she is used sleeping in your bed Start puting her in her own bed and she cries you would have to either let her cry or take her back to your bed and when she falls asleep then move her to her own bed

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C.Y.

answers from Charleston on

Hi M.,

This may be tougher than you think! Have you considered getting a bigger bed for you all to share? We have a queen bed pushed up next to a twin so that my hubby and our 2 little ones remain close. Also, there's the option of an arm's reach co-sleeper which is sort of like a bassinet but connects to your bed. I don't know, she may be getting too big for one of those!
Just try to put yourself in her tiny shoes. Sleeping cozily and happily next to mommy all these months and suddenly confused over being alone in a different room unable to see mommy.

Good luck!
Love,
C.
www.LostRiverNaturals.com

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K.M.

answers from Atlanta on

I found that if I took my recently used pillowcase and laid that flat in my baby's crib, she could smell me and her transition to the crib from the bed was really easy. As the nights progressed, I would find her holding the pillowcase and nuzzling up to it for comfort. Good luck!

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S.G.

answers from Savannah on

This will take more than 3 days of adjusment and probably won't be an easy move either. Put her down for naps in her crib in her room for the next two days. If that is going well, then on Sat night either put her to bed in her crib or put her in it after she has fallen asleep in your bed. Same thing again on Sunday. And now that daddy is going to be home, he is going to be a stranger in the house so to speak so this may throw her for a loop anyways. So just try to stick with it and celebrate daddy being home and then really concentrate on getting her into her own bed after things have settled down.

Good luck!
S.

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G.M.

answers from Columbia on

CONGRATULATIONS!!! I am so very happy for you and your husband to be together again with your sweet baby girl. Many thanks to him for serving our country. He is a very special man!
Now to the baby, you waited a little too long to get this change going, but now that you did, you will just have to stick it out and I doubt it will be easy for her or you.
She will need lots of love and snuggles during the day so she doesn't feel disconnected from you. Having her with you in bed was great at the time, but payday is here and like I said it won't be easy. Just don't forget she is just a baby and your husband will be a stranger to her, so go slow and be very patient with her. She has been glued to your side so unstick very easily.
The best to you all!

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C.M.

answers from Myrtle Beach on

Hi- Here is a what I would do- I am sure you want your alone time with your husband, but what if you let the baby sleep with the two of you for a month,at night, during the day let her get used to her crib by taking naps in it? At least than your husband can also bond with the baby. I know for myself, have my daughter sleep in teh bed with us for the first 6 months, was the best, I didn't sleep as well, but she slept through the night, it was great. When we put in her crib at 6 mths, she would get up several times a night, until she was used to being in there. That is my suggestion! Enjoy your family time when he returns-

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H.P.

answers from Augusta on

Is she comfortable with her crib at all? Does she take naps in her crib? If she is already somewhat familiar with the surroundings, I do not think you will have too hard of a time. I would start putting her down in her crib, and if she wakes in the middle of the night I would go and pat her back to sleep. Don't get her and put her back in the bed with you because it is easier for you. Remember it takes at least 7 nights to break an old habit. You will be through the transition in no time if you remain consistent. I had to learn this the hard way with my first child.

Please thank your husband for his service to all of us here in America. I am glad he was fighting for freedom.

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A.L.

answers from Savannah on

This will be harder on you than on her. (But I'm sure having your husband again will ease your pain a bit :-) If you have a rocker in her room you can make bedtime a special time for the two (or three) of you. Let her sit in your lap while you read a few books and sing some songs, or whatever calm activity she enjoys (I strongly recommend the reading part, if your not already doing that). This is what I do, then I turn out the lights and hold him, rock and sing until he gets drowsey. You may want to let your husband be the holder while you sit nearby until she gets comfortable with him, and then maybe he can even have that time just for them. GOod luck and congratulations!

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S.B.

answers from Atlanta on

First of all...congrats on your Honey coming home!! Thank you for your sacrifice for us. I know it is hard for you while he is away, so a big thank YOU.

My advice for your baby is to be CONSISTENT!! Once you move her to her own bed, try your best to keep her there. If she knows what to expect then she will adapt to it much easier and faster. And when it isn't bed time, spend time with her in her room, playing, reading and just hanging out. So that she is familiar with the surroundings.

Best wishes!

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