We've been co-sleeping with Forest since he was born. We were using one of those modernized co-sleeper beds that attach to the side of our grown-up bed when he was an itty-bitty. But many nights he would fuss in this little bed and want to come into our bed or stay in our bed after nursing. So, we got into this habit. Now he is too big for his little bed as he can crawl out of it. So he's been exclusively sleeping in bed with us. We've been trying to transition him into his crib into his own room which has been such a challenge! Lately we lay him down to sleep in his crib and depending on his mood, the light or the weather or whatever other excuse, he either falls to sleep after some guitar playing by his daddy, xylophone playing by his mommy or just sits up and cries and will not no matter what sleep in his crib. There have been a handful of times where he's stayed in there for hours but usually not.
I am stuck, I do not know what to do. I was into the idea of co-sleeping because it made sense to me that a baby would want to sleep close to his/her parents and not want to be alone in a cold, dark room. But now I kinda want him to want the latter. I'm kinda tired of sharing our bed. Mainly because our little baby is a big bed hog. He pushes me to the edge where I'm so close to falling off the bed, and then when he's falling asleep and/or waking up he kicks, he hits, he pulls my hair, etc. Sleepytime is no longer enjoyable. We have a queen size bed, mind you. Now I see the appeal of a king.
How are we going to get him to like his crib? I don't know what to do. I really don't want to co-sleep for much longer. I mean it's sweet and all to cuddle with your baby. But I'm ready to have our bed back.
2 comments:
Ahh the pleasures (and trials) of parenthood. Try having Forest asleep already then put him his crib. Keep a small nightlight on in the room.
Otherwise, you're gonna have to have him cry it out. I know it can be heart wrenching, but he'll eventually tire himself out and fall asleep. And he'll get used to his crib and stop the crying. Again keep a small nightlight on so the room will not be completely dark to him. And check in on him now and then while he is crying so he knows you are there.
Marisa,
As I write this, Thommy has been sleeping in his crib all night. I tell you that only to let you know it gets better! A little over a year ago I was beside myself.
We got Thommy to sleep in his crib by just decided, from that day forward, that he would. As you know he'd fallen out of our bed, so we just bit the bullet. We'd get him to sleep in our arms and then put him in his crib. We had a couple awful weeks and then it was better. the "no cry sleep solution" book helped too.
We just found something that worked for us and kept doing it. You will find what works for you, and Forest, and Ethan. I think there isn't one thing for all babies but I wish you luck, this is definitely the time when I started to totally lose it from lack of sleep-but once we got Thommy in the crib and adjusted it was so much better!
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