Need tips on crib sleeping

strngysgurl

Alrighty, so LO is almost a year and has never slept a night in his crib. He used to sleep in an arm's reach cosleeper until about five months, when he was trying to roll out of it and sitting up in it. Now he sleeps in our bed. But DH and I would like to get some privacy back, I think he'd sleep a little better (once he gets used to it) and when I am home(instead of working midnights), the little bugger crowds me out of the bed!!

Ok, so here are my main concerns, if you have any advice on my situation at all, it'd be appreciated greatly!

1) Currently, when I lay him down in a crib or pack n play, he ALWAYS wakes up. No matter how well he is sleeping, lowering him all the way down never fails to wake him. And he is not a happy baby when he wakes up. (We don't plan to CIO) How do I get him down in the crib without waking and crying?

2) DH wants to get a monitor, even though he will be just across the hall. We sleep with the door shut usually, so it would probably be a good idea to use one. We have a small house, and his room is pretty close to ours. Depsite the closeness, I kind of want to buy a video monitor, but I am unsure if that would be a waste.  Would you just buy a regular one, video monitor, or none? Also, can you recommend a good monitor if you think we should use one?

3) If we somehow manage to get him to sleep in his crib, how should we dress him?!? He sleeps in either a onesie or a lightweight footed sleeper in the summer, and when it starts getting colder, he'll probably be in a fleece footed sleeper, or long pajama pants and a long sleeve pajama top. Should we put him in a sleepsack or something? I just feel like it'd be so much colder without our added body heat. Usually in the winter the thermostat is set to 68-69 max and in the summer it is usually lowest at 72-73.

4) Is he old enough for blankets in his crib? When did/will you start using them? Usually he tends to kick them off anytime they're on him.

Sorry that was so long! Big thanks to you if you made it through all of that!

vnstacie

YGPM

Ms5586

1.  I would try to start putting him down drowsy but awake.  If you're absolutely positive you have to have him asleep before you put him down, you can try a heating pad to warm up the part of the crib, because it's probably the transfer from you (warm) to crib (cool/cold) that wakes him up. 

2. If you have the money to spend on a video monitor, I would get a video.  I still wish I had a video, but I can't justify the cost right now.  It's just nice for some piece of mind.

3.  Our thermostat is also set to 72-73 in the summer.  J sleeps in a long sleeve onesie and cotton pants, or sweatpants.  No sleepsack.

4.  He has a blanket, a lovey, and stuffed animal in his crib.  The blanket is crochetted, so it has holes.  The stuffed animal is one that has sewn eyes (no buttons that could come off and be swallowed).  If he can pull a blanket off his face when playing, he could do it at night too. 

ldcoffel

Agree with PP

1. Put him to sleep drowsy, but awake. Might have to pat his back to get him back to sleep. I know, easier said than done, but if you can get there, it helps soo much.

2. I use a monitor, just so I can sleep knowing there is no way I could miss it. Makes me more comfortable. I don't have a video, but if I had the money for one I would like it. I have the regular Sony monitor, about $60 and works great.

3. My DS is always hot, so he sleeps in just a onesie. When it gets cooler, I will do light weight long pants, like the thin Carter's ones.

3. DS has a light weight A&A blankie. I tried to make it his lovie, but he hasnt bought in to it yet... He won't keep it on, he also kicks it off. He also has a stuffed animal.

vwsfy6

strngysgurl:

Alrighty, so LO is almost a year and has never slept a night in his crib. He used to sleep in an arm's reach cosleeper until about five months, when he was trying to roll out of it and sitting up in it. Now he sleeps in our bed. But DH and I would like to get some privacy back, I think he'd sleep a little better (once he gets used to it) and when I am home(instead of working midnights), the little bugger crowds me out of the bed!!

Ok, so here are my main concerns, if you have any advice on my situation at all, it'd be appreciated greatly!

1) Currently, when I lay him down in a crib or pack n play, he ALWAYS wakes up. No matter how well he is sleeping, lowering him all the way down never fails to wake him. And he is not a happy baby when he wakes up. (We don't plan to CIO) How do I get him down in the crib without waking and crying?

2) DH wants to get a monitor, even though he will be just across the hall. We sleep with the door shut usually, so it would probably be a good idea to use one. We have a small house, and his room is pretty close to ours. Depsite the closeness, I kind of want to buy a video monitor, but I am unsure if that would be a waste.  Would you just buy a regular one, video monitor, or none? Also, can you recommend a good monitor if you think we should use one?

3) If we somehow manage to get him to sleep in his crib, how should we dress him?!? He sleeps in either a onesie or a lightweight footed sleeper in the summer, and when it starts getting colder, he'll probably be in a fleece footed sleeper, or long pajama pants and a long sleeve pajama top. Should we put him in a sleepsack or something? I just feel like it'd be so much colder without our added body heat. Usually in the winter the thermostat is set to 68-69 max and in the summer it is usually lowest at 72-73.

4) Is he old enough for blankets in his crib? When did/will you start using them? Usually he tends to kick them off anytime they're on him.

Sorry that was so long! Big thanks to you if you made it through all of that!

 

I could have written this exact post!  It's nice to know I'm not alone!! 

strngysgurl

Thanks everyone! That is definitely going to help. If you didnt notice, im just a little bit nervous about doing this now! We will be putting your advice to the test soon, ill let you know how it works out!