Learn From Experienced Parents: How to Get a Baby to Sleep in a Crib?

Taking care of an infant is probably one of the most challenging and equally rewarding responsibilities a person could have. There are many situations involved in infant care that require specific sets of knowledge and skills. One of these situations is putting a baby to sleep even in one of the affordable cribs. As normal and simple as that sounds, putting an infant to sleep in a crib is actually not as easy as it sounds. Besides, now you have the guide on how to get a baby to sleep in a crib, right?

Fortunately, parenting wisdom has been passed down for many generations to assist future parents with such a task, and these are some tips and tricks to help get your little wiggle monster to sleep in a crib.

1. The crib matters

It’s amazing how little people like babies have such fine-tuned preferences, yet it’s true. Babies know what they like from the nipples on their milk bottles to the kind of baby booties they wear. The same thing goes for their cribs, especially the crib mattress. There’s a standard for how even the infant mattress is made, but they aren’t all alike. Make sure you get one that will be comfortable for your little one. As an added extra for you as a parent, make sure to also get a crib that’s convertible. Cribs oftentimes come at hefty prices, and babies only stay in them for so long. Getting a convertible crib means that you can still use it at least a couple or so more years as your baby becomes a toddler.

2. Location matters also

Some parents might decide to keep the baby crib in their bedroom; others might decide to let the baby stay in his or her own bedroom. There may be instances where babies might have to share a room with siblings. Whatever the case may be, you have to make sure that whatever room the baby crib will be in will have enough peace and quiet for the baby. Babies are highly sensitive to sensory outputs that even the smallest amount of light or the faintest sounds can get them distracted and keep them awake. To get a baby to sleep in a crib, make sure the room is quiet, has the right temperature, minimal to no lighting, and no other unnecessary distractions whatsoever.

3. Comfort

For babies, comfort is beyond the sleeping onesie or the knit hat. When a baby feels tired and cranky, and they want nothing more than to sleep in their baby crib but just can’t, a little snuggling will go a long way. Tired babies might fall asleep on their own in their baby cribs, but it could take a long fit of crying before they do. Taking your time to cuddle and soothe your babies will let know they are safe and might even help them sleep for a longer period of time. Try to put babies to sleep in your arms before putting them in the baby crib, or stay by their side as you rock them to sleep in the baby crib or toddler travel bed (in case you move a lot). Either way, you’re letting them know that you are there with them, and they are not alone.

4. Sleeping tools

For the wiggle monsters that are the most difficult to put to sleep, there are tools and baby equipment that can help. Hanging mobiles are some of the more popular ones. They hang over the crib to entertain and lull babies to sleep. Most of these mobiles play some type of music such as lullabies or classical songs, and there’s nothing better for babies to sleep to than some sleepy-time music. Watch the video on how to choose the best nursery mobile.

Another equipment that may be helpful to get a baby to sleep in a crib is a crib vibrator. This small machine attaches to any part of the baby crib and has a vibrating mechanism that shakes the crib ever so slightly. More often than not, this motion will put the baby to sleep in no time.

5. Develop a sleeping habit

It’s never too early to teach your baby good sleeping habits. Babies do well with schedules, and having a sleeping schedule will benefit both you and your infant tremendously. Let your baby sleep as scheduled, and remember to put your baby in the crib when he or she does fall asleep somewhere else. Try to schedule naps as much as possible, allowing your baby some downtime when nap time gets closer. You can let the baby know that it’s time to go to bed by doing the same routine every time. A sample routine might include a bottle, a song, a message, a story, or anyone or combinations of these. You can be as creative as you can and include activities that your baby particularly enjoys. It also helps to do these things while in or close by the baby crib.

6. Associate the baby crib with sleep

The more time babies spend sleeping in baby cribs, the more they’ll associate sleep with it. This is something that’ll happen naturally unless of course, the baby spends sleeping time somewhere else. Also, try to limit the time babies spend playing in their crib, especially as they get bigger. There are other places to keep babies safe while they play such as playpens, activity mats, bouncers, rockers, and swings. When baby cribs are used solely for sleeping as much as possible, babies learn to associate sleeping or napping time with it. When this occurs, they’ll know that once they are placed in a crib, it means it’s time to go to sleep.

7. Don’t give up

Lastly, don’t stop trying. Babies are learning machines; they’re new to the world and are only beginning to learn about so many things—including sleep. Give them the time to learn how to sleep in a crib, and they’ll learn eventually. Some babies might pick it up faster than others, especially if they like their cribs. Other babies might take their time, but once they’ve gotten the hang of it, babies will be sleeping in their baby cribs throughout the night.

I hope you like our guide on how to get a baby to sleep in a crib. Please feel free to ask any question regarding this in the comment box!