From Cradle to Crib

Having your baby sleep on her back is the best way to prevent SIDS. Realistically, unless you are listening for her breathing all night, her sleeping next to you won't prevent SIDS. It is hard to not have them next to you, but you may find you sleep better. Good luck!

It is safe to sleep in the crib as it is the cradle. Always have your baby sleep on there back as you know. Our sons room was upstairs and we were down. He never slept in his room. He still didnt sleep in his room until after we moved and we were all on the same level. It took me a long time to get use to the fact that he was not in the same room as us. I think he was around 16 months old. I would think what if someone breaks in and takes him and we dont hear it. So, for a few weeks I would have horrible nightmares and always check on him. (I was also pregnant so not sure if that was the cause) I say move her when you are read and if you move her and you decide you are not ready bring her back. What harm will it do? They are only this little for a short time. Pretty soon they wont want to sleep near you at all. :o( Best of luck!

My son was sleeping through the night at 7 weeks so we decided to try the crib. We have had no problems at all - he doesn't even cry when we put him in there - he goes right to sleep. I think it is probably because he is so young - if we waited until he was older, it might be more difficult getting him used to sleeping in his own room. And I have been sleeping so much better because I don't hear the little sighs and grunts he makes for the two hours before he wakes up! We do have a monitor so I can hear him as soon as he starts fussing.

As for SIDS, I don't think they are any safer in one place or the other. I agree, that unless you are going to stay awake all night and listen to them breath, it is not going to make a difference.

I say go for it!

SIDS was always SO scary to me. 4 months is a great time to make that transition to there own room, and will help with everyone getting a good night sleep (we did it at 3 mths). I know you want to keep a close eye on her- so do- get a video monitor. This was THE BEST investment you can make because of the piece of mind it gives you in being able to really tell whats going on and to SEE the baby breathing. Also very helpful for later when you are trying to figure out what the cries mean and how close to sleeping they are (always helps to know if they are standing or lying when crying b/c if they are lying down they are closer to sleep).

It is fine to put her in a crib - in fact you may be glad you did when she is a year old and has no problems with sleeping there.

The most important thing to be aware of with SIDS is that there are certain risk factors. I dont remember all of them (my son is about to turn 6 years old) but some of them are:

*soft pillows, fluffy blankets, etc (raises the depth of the material around her face that could block her breathing)
*warm temperatures (sleep better when it is cool in the room)
*cigarette smoke
*allergens I think?
*peaks at about 4 months I think

You want to ensure your child has strong enough muscles that she is able to raise her head and turn it from side to side.
I personally by the time my son was 4 months old, was allowing him to sleep on his tummy (he slept SOOO MUCH BETTER!!) and knowing all the risk factors and seeing him handle himself fine during the daytime on his tummy, we felt comfortable with letting him sleep on his tummy. You want your child to be used to being on his tummy before you suddenly let them sleep for the night on their tummy. I think if they are used to it before they hit 4 months old, they do better (my feeling anyway).

First off, SIDS can happen right next to you. But it is a rare thing. Yes, there is a lot of information about it and fear surrounding it, but as long as you take precautions, you can feel safe with your baby in the next room.
Just put her on her back. Once she can roll over, you don't have to worry about her rolling onto her tummy. Our first baby did this at 3 months, but most kids don't do it till much later. Don't smoke around your baby as this greatly increases chances of SIDS. Don't put blankets or stuffed toys in the crib. Make sure the sheet is tight.
If you are planning on more children, you'll find that you don't worry nearly as much about this for your second one. :)
If you want to feel even safer, get one of those monitors with a camera on it. Then, if you hear a noise in your daughter's room, you don't have to rush out of bed. Simply look at the picture on the monitor.
If you want, and if you have room, you can put your daughter's crib in your room. Then, when she's older, move the crib into her room. This will also ease the transition from bassinet to crib.
Yes, a baby is at risk for SIDS up till a year, but the chances are MUCH less once she can roll over on her own. So if you want, do the crib thing I mentioned above till she can roll over.
And relax. Don't worry so much. You'll make yourself sick if you worry. As long as you take the precautions, you and your daughter will be fine.
RELAX!

Have seen lots of interesting info on this topic. Co-sleeping is a great way to avoid SIDS though...lots of reasons...see Maternal Infant Sleep research. (As one researcher said...the question should not be "Is it safe to sleep with my baby?"...but "Is it safe to NOT sleep with my baby?" Breathing rates coordinate...all sorts of stuff...the closer you sleep.
The exception might be if you are a smoker...exhaling pollutants long after you finish your cig.
New Zealand did a mattress wrapping campaign...apparently there is a connection between used (contaminated) mattresses and crib (cot) death. The back to sleep stuff in the States may have helped in that the kids faces are not right in the synthetic dirty mattress. Check out what they have found in the livers of kids who die from cot death...it makes you want to go to all cotton or all rubber matresses.
Also realize SIDS is becoming a catch-all category for mysterious infant death...the definition may be expanding...confusing the issues and causes.
I would be cautious about baby monitors...do they give off an electrical field that could harm your infant? Electronic pollution is not much discussed in the news..but if cell phones are suspect in brain cancer...I'd hate to leave electrical devices really close to my child.

Hello D.,

It is more important to know what you are comfortable with. I know I moved my first son to his crib at 4 months old and he did fine, but we also had a monitor so we could hear his breathing patterns and such during the night. I think if you are hesitant and have had trouble with hearing her breathing patterns, you should do what is comfortable for you. There will be a D. when she gets too big for the cradle and that is when you have to make the real decision on whether or not to move her. The monitor I had made me feel safe in doing so though.

Congrats on your bundle of joy!

More than likely, your daughter will be just as safe in her crib. I am not a doctor, but a mother of 3 children and I can only tell you from my experience. What I did with 2 of 3 of my children is once they started sleeping through the night (3 months for DD#1 and 6 weeks for DD#2), I had them in the bassinet next to me (or at the foot of the bed) for about an extra 2 weeks- just to make sure that yes, they were sleeping through the night. After the 2 weeks, they went to the crib in the next room and of course, I had a baby monitor so I could hear them. With the 3rd child, he was just getting too big for the bassinet, so at 5 months old and not quite sleeping through the night, he had to go into his crib.

Do what you are comfortable with, within reason. Obviously you won't have your daughter sleep in the cradle with her legs hanging out! But when you do switch to the crib, just be sure to put her down on her back to sleep and she will more than likely be fine.

I'm in the same situation as you, only my baby is 8 months old! :) She is still sleeping in her Pack N' Play in our room. I'm not ready to move her, but my husband is ready for some sleep.
Don't let your baby around cigarrette smoke or even people who smoke. If you can smell it, even on clothing, you're inhaling the harmful toxins of it and it is very dangerous for babies (and adults too!) Keep the room cool during sleep time and don't overdress for sleep. Remove the bumper pads, blankets, toys, etc. Make sure the mattress fits very snugly in the crib. There was a recent recall with a certain type of mattress that measured incorrectly. I think it was a Simmons but I could be wrong.
I beleive in Attachment Parenting and you can learn more about it at www.attachmentparenting.org.
Also Mothering Magazine is wonderful. I like the information given by both.
Just remember, that most babies don't die from SIDS, so relax and be confident that you are a great mom and you're doing your best!

I honestly think this is a personal choice. Many, many babies sleep in the next room and live a long life. Unfortunately, a low minority, like my nephew, pass away from SIDS, or from a safety issue. You have to do what you feel is right for your family. Most peds will tell you to have them in another room, but I don't always listen to them either (especially after my own Dr. told me how she did the Cry It Out method with her own kids and sat outside the baby's room crying for even longer than the two hours the baby did!).

Some will tell you baby will sleep better alone, as will you, because you will be so tuned in to each other, you will waken at any noise you hear.

My personal choice is to keep my babies with me. I had them in their cradle, tried the crib, but they ended up in my bed until around age 3 - again, personal preference. With all the recalls lately, I just don't want to chance it. Babies get caught between bars and cry, and parents don't know that's why they are crying.

It's your kid, it's your choice.

As long as your crib has no blankets, pillows and such then it's just as safe to sleep in there as in the cradle by your bed. SIDS is an unfortunate thing, and even with a baby sleeping next to you, you won't usually be able to prevent it.

It is always best to ask your pediatrician.
I have 3 girls, 2,4,and 9. I always was told to make sure that they slept on their backs or side. Not alot of bedding or cushions etc.

I think you should do what makes you comfortable. We plan to have our daughter now 5 months in her co-sleeper beside the bed until she can sit up and may be able to get out. She also sleeps a good stretch like 8:30 to 4:3o or so... she just does it in our room.

J. Kuty
Kuty Chiropractic

Hello,
Well my son will be 4 months on July 12th and he has been sleeping in his crib in his own room for about two weeks! He is doing great! I put him on his side, he sleeps sooo much better than on his back and he can still turn to his back if he wants! We have a fisher price aquarium in there for him and he loves it! Althoug I'm lucky....my son has been sleeping all night since he was six weeks old! Good Luck to you on your decision, hope this helped! And I also truely believe that if the baby is in trouble he will let you know! :)
K.

I am from the perspective the closer to mom the better and there is some evidence that sleeping next or in close proximity to the mother can reduce the incidences of SIDS, but I'm sure your baby would be fine in a crib, cradle or whatever works best for you all. You hear pros and cons from all sides. Good luck!