I Think It's About That Time.....

I would have the 4yr old sleep with the 12yr old and put baby in his crib. I would think it would be hard for both of you in the playpen in your room because you will be right there. If he sleeps pretty much during the night with you he shouldnt need to eat every 3-4hr if he wakes during the transiton also. It is going to be a hard few nights but if you stick with what you have decided to do for a routine he will get it and it will be easier. Good luck.

You absolutely should not put the baby with your 4 year old. My boys both sleep like rocks and would not have a clue if they rolled over on a baby.

I'd say that you should start transitioning baby to sleeping on his own more often. Perhaps work on getting him to fall asleep on his own first...in the playpen in his room. Even if you spend a few weeks where he sleeps half the night in his room and a few hours in yours, that's a start. Then just taper off the amount of time he's in your bed.

I don't know that I'd go "cold turkey" at this point. Also, considering how very cold it is at this time of year...you might just wait on the whole tranistion until it starts warming up. He might just be waking because he's COLD without mommy and daddy!

ETA: LOL...duh on me...your oldest is 12. I don't think I'd let them sleep together either. I was a hard sleeper at 12. I also kicked and moved around a lot.

Try putting him to sleep for his naps in his crib. This will give him a feel for when you have to put him there at night. This will drive a wedge between you and your husband as he gets older, he sleeps good with you two because he is really warm. Try warming his spot before he goes to bed with a heating pad, then remove it before you put him in his crib, this will give him security of the warmth like Mom and Dad. A very close friend of mine almost divorced over a situation like this because the child would not go to sleep unless he was in bed with Mom and Dad. Be very careful.

If it were me, I think I would have your 4 year old sleep with her older sister and put him in the crib. Seems like you'll have to do "double duty" if you first get him to sleep all night in the playpen and then move him to the crib.

I would start putting him in there for each and every nap and when that is no longer an issue start working on him sleeping in there during the night. There is no cut off date for him to have to be in his own room so that is what I would do. Gradual often works better for me.

I would put the baby in the room he'll be in, with the younger daughter and she will adjust to his waking, crying or anything else going on in time. Our kids always shared rooms from infant on and they always slept through anything once they adjusted which took no time at all. Don't worry about it. I would put him in the crib during the day if you don't, for naps, etc. and he won't be in a strange place at bedtime. Just be sure your 4 year old doesn't bother him and knows not to wake him, etc. Most won't but some do and you need to be sure she understands the rules.