Skip to main content

These are the best methods for transitioning sleeping kids to a crib

The first few weeks are super important for your baby to get familiar and comfortable with their crib. Besides that wonderful skin-to-skin time, your little one should be getting used to sleeping in their own bed without relying on nursing or rocking. Here are some common situations why a baby may not sleep in their crib and how to deal with it.

baby sleeping in white crib

If your baby only sleeps when held

The main reason why babies prefer to sleep in your arms rather than their bed is because you’re so much more cuddly. They might not like their crib because it’s a sudden transition from your warm embrace to their cold crib. A good trick is to warm up their sheet a little in the dryer and place it on their bed shortly before you put them down. This will help make the transition go more smoothly, especially now that there’s no large difference in temperatures.

Another reason why babies prefer you is that your scent is familiar. You might keep a piece of fabric that you’ve worn tied securely onto the crib side to help comfort your baby. You can also try holding their sheet against your chest and arms before placing it on the crib to make it smell like you.

If your baby is sensitive to outside noise

Ambient noise from the rest of the household or the street could wake your baby up in their crib. In this case, try a white noise machine to play pink, brown, or white noise. Most babies enjoy gentle piano lullabies, which is convenient because the typical white noise machine has a lullaby setting. Other options include nature sounds like whale songs, pattering rain, and whispering winds.

sound machine and accompanying app

It may seem counterintuitive, but always keep a little bit of ambient noise around when your baby is falling asleep. This way, they don’t get used to total silence when falling asleep, and they will slowly tolerate more and more noise during naps or long stretches of sleep at night.

If your baby likes to comfort nurse

Your little one might like to comfort nurse themselves to sleep. Offer them their thumb as a comfort item instead of their bottle or pacifier. This helps break up the sleep association between food or comfort feeding and falling asleep. When this association is dissolved, even if they wake up in the middle of the night, they won’t need a pacifier or milk to help them fall back asleep. If they’re crying harder than usual, consider outside factors like teething or feeling too cold or hot.

If your baby startles themselves awake

Most babies will wake themselves up because of the startle reflex. To help lessen this phenomenon, purchase a sleep swaddle. This will keep your little one’s arms bundled on their sides and comfortably compressed. There are also specially-shaped pajamas that keep your baby’s arms up in a more natural position.

baby in swaddle blanket yawning

One more option you might try is a weighted pajama. These provide gentle pressure on your child’s chest to help keep them feel more grounded.

If your baby seems uncomfortable

Lastly, your little one might not like their crib because of other reasons like a dirty diaper, uncomfortable mattress, scratchy clothes, cold or hot room temperature, rough bedsheet, or bright room. Try identifying any of these common problems, and see if your little one has a change of heart.

If not, keep trying and be consistent. Babies thrive with familiarity, and even a bedtime routine might help them get used to their crib. Try a soothing ritual like a warm bath, a relaxing story, and a short lullaby to help them get prepared for sleep. This way, when you follow the routine every night, they’ll soon start expecting the crib with less and less resistance.

We know it’s tough putting them down when you just want to hold them forever, but trust us — you’ll be glad later on. Transitioning your baby from your arms to their crib is tricky. You don’t want to wake them up completely, and you want them to fall asleep without bedtime crutches like comfort nursing or getting rocked to sleep. These nighttime hiccups may seem unbeatable right now, but remember that you’re strong and you’ve got this!

Editors' Recommendations

NewFolks
3-year-olds: Why threenagers are a breed
Are 3-year-old meltdowns normal? These tips can help you navigate them
A dad holding a child who is crying

Before you became a parent, you may have heard of the "terrible twos." The age is reportedly hallmarked by tantrums and boundary (and parental button) pushing.

No one warned you about what it was like to raise 3-year-olds, or as some call them, "threenagers." The term derives from the idea that your three-year-old acts like they’re going on 13. The sass, eye-rolling, back talk, and rebellious nature are challenges you thought you had another decade to prepare for — but your kid had other ideas.

Read more
There are actually some helpful benefits of tongue twisters for kids
Tongue twisters are a laugh, but did you know they are also a useful learning tool?
teenagers getting twisted over tongue twisters

Ready to get twisted? With tongue twisters that is! November 12 is National Tongue Twister Day, but you don't need to put those pickled peppers Peter Piper picked in a pot nor do you need to save tongue twisters for the fall. Tongue twisters have been around for ages and are simply a phrase that's hard for people to say clearly, especially when spoken quickly. Of course, tongue twisters don't have meaning and they're always a laugh, but did you know tongue twisters for kids can actually be helpful?
Benefits of tongue twisters
Many people might think of tongue twisters as a silly thing to do at a party. The big laugh always comes when someone says a tongue twister incorrectly. Sure, tongue twisters are fun, but saying them does serve a purpose, especially for the kiddos. Don't worry! Our tongues won't get twisted talking about these surprising perks of tongue twisters.
Pronunciation
Since people try hard to say tongue twisters correctly, the practice actually helps speakers to articulate clearly and work on word pronunciation.
Developing speech muscles
Yes, people have speech muscles, and saying tongue twisters can help develop the muscles in the tongue used in pronouncing words. This's why tongue twisters are a great way to warm up those speech muscles before an oral presentation. Tongue twisters are also used to help kids and adults with stuttering.
Improve reading and language skills
Another added benefit of saying Sally sells seashells by the seashore is that tongue twisters for kids help improve fluency when speaking. Tongue twisters also expand vocabulary. Both of these perks translate into enhancing reading skills.
Learning English
Teachers often use tongue twisters in class with kids for the reasons previously mentioned. Tongue twisters are also a wonderful tool for kids and adults learning English.
Popular tongue twisters for kids
The key to saying tongue twisters is to try to say them three times fast. That's usually where tongue twisters trip up people, though some of us have difficulty saying them slowly. Here are a few popular tongue twisters to use in the car with kids, at a party, or just because.

Which witch is which?
He threw three free throws.
A snake sneaks to sneak a snack.
How much wood would a woodchuck chuck if a woodchuck could chuck wood?
If a dog chews shoes, whose shoes does he choose?
Nine nice night nurses nursing nicely.
Four fine fresh fish for you.
I saw a kitten eating chicken in the kitchen.
Six sleek swans swam swiftly southwards.
We surely shall see the sun shine soon.

Read more
Bring imagination back into your kid’s playroom with these ingenious DIY ideas
These DIY kid's playroom ideas are super easy to achieve and great for boosting imagination
Montessori shelf playroom

The kid’s playroom should be a space not just for fun and letting off some of a child’s youthful energy, but also an educational hub that encourages imagination. As you curate a space for your child to play and grow, you’ll want to include unique activities to help them express themselves. So, we’re giving you some incredible DIY playroom ideas that not only make the space look nice but add more room for imaginative play and learning.

Add a chalkboard wall
A chalkboard wall is a classic playroom addition, functioning as both a teaching opportunity and an art station. Not to mention; it also curbs that desire to draw on the walls!

Read more