Project Get Riley Into Crib

Stina2012 · December 2013

Here the situation with my ninja. She sleeps great on me and she goes into the RNP at night without issue. But she will not sleep in the crib or PNP. As soon as her body gets put down in the crib or PNP her eyes fling open and she cries.

This is going to be a big problem for her the first week of Jan as she will go to DC.

What do I do? The pediatrician told us to let her CIO. That's not my first choice, but I just don't have many choices.

For example she was passed out on me for 15 minutes, I got up to put her in the crib and the second her body hit the mattress her eyes flung open and she cried. I've been rubbing her stomach and holding her hand to get her to go back to sleep. It's not working.

How did you get your LO in the crib?

andrea0418 · December 2013

I will be following this! I have no advice. Ty has napped in his crib ONCE for 20min. He is asleep on me as I type.... And FYI: DH calls him a nap ninja now lol

[Deleted User] · December 2013

Sorry

my LO's crib is filled with Christmas presents... so no advice here. I'll be checking this thread to get some tips, as well.

Pink724 · December 2013

I'm no help, as I am I the same boat. I don't have to worry about DC, but eventually it would be nice to have her in the crib!

I'm interested to hear if others have suggestions. I've used the sleep suit but she screams every time I put her in it.

chiboo9 · December 2013

To add on to warming the mattress, maybe wear or sleep on her blanket that she gets swaddled with, if she gets swaddled? That way your scent is on the blanket and she'll think she's on you.

And since she likes the RNP, maybe you can elevate the crib mattress so it's a bit inclined like the RNP.

coco2787 · December 2013

No advice but I wouldn't worry about daycare too much. My nephew was never a good napper at home but adapted well to the schedule at daycare and napped great there after a couple weeks.

Stina2012 · December 2013

Let me explain how god awful this crib thing is for me. I have a tired baby. I get her white noise, I get her all swaddled up and I nurse her. She falls asleep on me for 15 minutes (not surprisingly drowsy but awake does not work) and I stand up with a sleeping baby. The second I put her down the eyes pop open and she's screaming. Like someone is killing me screaming. This screaming goes on if I rub her belly, if I pick her up and cuddle her, and even if I nurse her. I then console a screaming baby for a half an hour. She then may sleep for a half an hour or she may scream for 1.5 hours. By this time I want to gauge my eyes out with a cocktail spoon. And oh yeah, any activity I want to do that day goes to shit thanks to our disrupted nap schedule. Rinse and repeat anytime we try anything but sleeping on me.

And my confession: On these days I would give Riley to any stranger passing by or leave her to fend for herself in the jungle.

It FUCKING sucks.

Stina2012 · December 2013

She has now screamed for 45 minutes straight because I put her in the crib for two fucking minutes.

EagleWife · December 2013

Do you have a swing that you could put in the nursery?

chiboo9 · December 2013

Ugh, that sounds rough, mama. I'm sorry.

Stina2012 · December 2013

EagleWife said:
Do you have a swing that you could put in the nursery?

She loses her shit when you put her in the swing.

EagleWife · December 2013

Stina2012 said:

EagleWife said:
Do you have a swing that you could put in the nursery?
She loses her shit when you put her in the swing.

Well that sucks

( I went to look for this link to share, but I'm not sure how helpful it will be if she doesn't like it to begin with.

https://www.troublesometots.com/weaning-baby-off-swing/

[Deleted User] · December 2013

The user and all related content has been deleted.

Stina2012 · December 2013

I will try the warmth. We have a small crib wedge in there now.

My Mom and DH tell me it's my fault since I've always "let" her sleep on me. Which makes me want to murder both of them.

She is SUCH an easy baby besides this sleep thing. It sucks. And it always ruins our day.

EVA116 · December 2013

Do you feel comfortable putting her on her belly?

[Deleted User] · December 2013

My son's mattress was really cold when I used to put him in. I put 2 baby blankets on the mattress and then covered it with the sheet. It stays nice and warm now. Do you think maybe it's because she wants to lay on her belly since she's on her belly when she's on you?

Stina2012 · December 2013

EagleWife said:

Stina2012 said:

EagleWife said:
Do you have a swing that you could put in the nursery?
She loses her shit when you put her in the swing.
Well that sucks ( I went to look for this link to share, but I'm not sure how helpful it will be if she doesn't like it to begin with.

https://www.troublesometots.com/weaning-baby-off-swing/

I know, this was a great article and I tried it yesterday. That's when she had her 1.5 hour screaming fit.

Stina2012 · December 2013

zoeyjack said:
My son's mattress was really cold when I used to put him in. I put 2 baby blankets on the mattress and then covered it with the sheet. It stays nice and warm now. Do you think maybe it's because she wants to lay on her belly since she's on her belly when she's on you?

Maybe. It throws me off because she sleeps on her back in the RNP. It's like she accepts that she sleeps in the RNP by herself at night but she will only accept sleeping on me during the day.

EVA116 · December 2013

I would try her belly....but that is me. My guy sleeps on his belly. He was terrible on his back.

EagleWife · December 2013

Stina2012 said:

I will try the warmth. We have a small crib wedge in there now. My Mom and DH tell me it's my fault since I've always "let" her sleep on me. Which makes me want to murder both of them. She is SUCH an easy baby besides this sleep thing. It sucks. And it always ruins our day.

Well that's shitty. It's not anybody's "fault." Babies are babies. They need to learn how to fall asleep and they need a lot of help. I'm sorry there's finger pointing adding to the stress of Riley being upset, too.

Stina2012 · December 2013

EagleWife said:

Stina2012 said:

I will try the warmth. We have a small crib wedge in there now.

My Mom and DH tell me it's my fault since I've always "let" her sleep on me. Which makes me want to murder both of them.

She is SUCH an easy baby besides this sleep thing. It sucks. And it always ruins our day.

Well that's shitty. It's not anybody's "fault." Babies are babies. They need to learn how to fall asleep and they need a lot of help. I'm sorry there's finger pointing adding to the stress of Riley being upset, too.

Agreed!!!!

pantsarella · December 2013

I wrote this out in another post too, but it really works for us. When I put DD down in the crib, I move the arm that's around her head out first and then the one out from under her legs. I think since she can still feel me when her head goes down, she's reassured and then her head doesn't move around when I move her legs. If I do it the other way she wakes up right away.

Also, that damn white noise machine does nothing for my DD. I'm pretty sure she laughs in her head when I turn it on. Search on youtube for "shush noise"- the video with the picture of a baby (there's some long title like shush noise for your baby to sleep or something), that works every time with DD. Sometimes we have to play it twice, but it always calms her down.

We also use the sleep suit. She screamed the first time we put it on, but now she smiles when she sees it. If she's overtired, she'll scream until it's all the way on, but then calms down.

If all else fails, can you take the RNP to daycare? That's what our DD naps in at daycare.

mandmh05 · December 2013

I second (or third) warming the crib. Also, this may sound odd, but can you put something that smells like you in the crib when she's not in it so it will smell like you? Someone suggested that for my nap ninja so we are currently trying that. I figure at this point, she can't sleep any worse so I'm willing to try a few unconventional ideas.

MeenaJo · December 2013

EVA116 said:

I would try her belly....but that is me. My guy sleeps on his belly. He was terrible on his back.

We do belly sleeping here too. I started at five weeks though. I knew there was no way she'd sleep in the crib on her back. Even on her belly we had to be very consistent, establish a pretty rigid routine and just keep doing the pick up/put down until she was old enough to fuss for a few minutes and then I'd soothe her without picking her up. Now she goes into the crib awake and puts herself to sleep without any fussing.

If you're not comfortable with belly sleeping I'd try to warm the crib, use a sleep sack, and maybe make some sort of "nest" like others have around here so it feels more like a RnP. Also, definitely start a routine and stick to it. Then come up with what you are comfortable with as far as soothing her. If you want to let her cry for a few minutes and then soothe her in the crib, or if you want to do the pick up/put down. Whatever you decide just stay with it constantly. It should click at some point. If it were me, I'd ditch the RnP altogether to be consistent but I know how it feels to just want sleep after so many tries in the crib. My DS was like your DD. Good luck!!

Erinm278 · December 2013

I started weaning El from being held by cuddling next to her on our bed for nap time. At first I would lay next to her for a full nap until she woke up and then I would try to get up and let her sleep there. Eventually she would allow me to move her to the PNP and soon after that I Was able to hold her until almost asleep and then lay her in the crib with the mobile on.
I don't know if it'll work for Riley but that's what worked for us! I'm pulling for ya mama!

Lelo2006 · December 2013

I'm so sorry

naps used to be terrible in our house. I started doing a naptime routine and rocking him to sleep a few months ago. At first it took forever, and I'd have to re-rock him because he'd wake up when I put him down. We did sleep training at night and I'm not sure if that helped, but now I just lay him down after rocking (he's usually still awake, with his eyes closed) and he re-settles himself and goes to sleep. Naps are still 30-40 minutes only...

bridge2005 · December 2013

This might sound crazy to you, but oliver was/is the exact same way. It was like I was laying him on a bed of knives. My mom bought me a different sheet. Jersey so it's like a T-shirt. He now doesn't scream as soon as he's put down. He's slept in there for an hr a few times. I need to start trying to get him to sleep in there more but he sleeps longer/better on me and the rnp. So maybe try a new sheet?

Also, he sleeps on his belly.

Erinm278 · December 2013

@maryannespier- it really did work great for us. She really prefers to lay by herself to sleep now. Every once in a while she will want to be cuddled a bit, but she will usually nap in the crib or PNP just fine.

Stina2012 · December 2013

Citrusfamily said:
Lots of good suggestions. Can you start smaller. This is a weird idea but take the mattress out of the crib to the floor. Can you nurse her either laying down side style or sitting next to the mattress. Then, if sitting, move her to the mattress once asleep but with the boob "right there" should she stir...
The goal of this plan is to get get asleep either on her back or side on her mattress. You are gonna have to sit there and bump or fold clothes while she's napping but it would be step one IMO. That way if it doesn't work you can head off a 45min melt down by bring like, oh just kidding, sorry nap ninja crazy baby girl I wasn't gonna lay you down:) no not me, grrr
OR elevate the bed a little. Have you had her ears checked. She's semms to like the incline with you or RNP makes me wonder about ears
OR
Try her tummy.
That's all I got..... Good luck.
Btw you have not caused this. If they say that again I will PM you my cell number and I will have a chat with them about the citrusfamily babies and their varying sleep disorders or lack there of.... Nature all the way in this one. We can teach them yes, but some just come out way more ninjaish.

I like the mattress idea. It's seems like a very ninja approach to my ninja problem.

She had an appointment about 1.5 weeks ago and they said her ears were fine. She has always woken up when you put her in the crib so it may not be her ears but she has been very fussy lately.

Another ninja idea, maybe I move her after she's been asleep for an hour or two. She's totally zonked by then so maybe she'd think she fell asleep there and that her crib is cool. Even if I had to sleep in the nursery for a few nights. Hmmmmm.

Stina2012 · December 2013

This is a terrible selfie of Riley and I discussing sleep. She woke up after I put her down. So we cuddled and talked in our bed. She did well being flat! Now to get her to sleep for the night. My sweet smelling, sweet little baby!

Melmac2585 · December 2013

CDumovich said:
I know this makes me a shitty mom, but sometimes I "shock" her to stop her crying. Like turning on the vacuum or something louder than her crying. It confuses her and she stops 9/10 times.

This TOTALLY works for us. Really, try it when she is having a crying fit. I just have a cheap radio alarm clock, find a static station, and play it so loud that it is almost uncomfortable. She keeps crying for the first minute or so and then totally conks out! Doesn't help the crib situation, just the fall out crying fit.

Im in the same crib problem as you- hoping one night she just gets it.

NKF312 · December 2013

First, TP to those who say you are spoiling Riley!

Sara still sleeps on my lap for naps, so no advice there, but nights are good for her. I tend to agree with the smell tactic also, I noticed dd didn't sleep well when I put her in new sleep sacks .. Since then if I get her a new one I lay it on my lap during naps before putting it on her at night, and my scent seems to comfort her. Also, I have to rock her like thirty minutes before trying to lay her down or she wakes up crying.. I'm golden after thirty. Seems like lots of good tips from other posts, hope something works for you.

UTQT09 · December 2013

Daycare may help her sleeping! Elle started sleeping through the night the day she started school! Of course now we are in the middle of the 4 month regression but days she is at school she does better.

miss2697 · December 2013

I can't even remember when we made the transition or if I did anything special. I think I just kept trying every single night. I would rock her first until she was asleep and gently put her down. I remember keeping pressure on her for a while so she still thought she was in my arms. We also made a homemade donut and that seemed to really help with the transition. We keep music on all night also. I want to say she has been sleeping in her crib since about 2 months old. I hope Riley gets the hang of it soon!

DenverBride2005 · December 2013

You have so many good ideas but I also vote for warming the crib, and using flannel sheets! DS1 loved his flannel crib sheets and once I move DS2 into the crib he'll use the flannel sheets too (I'm just too damn tired to walk back and forth to the nursery all night--this is my New Years resolution though, to get him in the crib).

Jaileewin · December 2013

My pediatrician suggested putting a blanket under the crib sheet in the shape of a horseshoe to mimic the rnp. That way, it's safe bc it's under the sheet but helps her secure. Riley sounds like Madison a month ago. It helped when I made her not nap in swing during day too! But I work ... So my mother in law was having to help. We are going on day 10 in crib. She likes to wake every 2-3 hrs most nights but she's in the crib!

Hope it gets better for you!!!

shara3333 · December 2013

I thought Ben would never sleep in the crib. Eyes flew open and crying as so a a he went down. But I decided to try naps first and it went great. Then nights and also went well (the first few nights he woke twice instead of just once). Here are things that we did (no official sleep training yet bc it hasn't been needed): (1) weeks ago we got a mobile and would put him in his crib multiple times a day for a little play time and/or to watch the mobile so crib wasn't so "bad" after all (2) read Healthy Sleep habits Happy Child and took some principles from that (3) started a routine for naps similar to bedtime routine (4)try to put him down after 1.5 hours or less of wakefulness (5) started using a sleep sack and keeping his room around 74 degrees (6) sometimes he'll go down awake other times he'll be totally asleep, just depends and I'm not stressing too much, but if he's awake I pop in the pacifier and turn the mobile on (7) I used a crib wedge to transfer from the RnP. I no longer am using it after a couple weeks. No idea if it helped or not. (8) blackout shades. I think that sums it up. I also think Ben was just ready to handle it bc it was way easier than I thought it was going to be. Sorry for typos.

atlvol · December 2013

It looks like you have some great ideas here. I don't have any additional advice, but I hope you can find something that works!

JELM2004 · December 2013

We are in this boat too as LO will only sleep in his swing. I'm so tired if stressing about it, asxtgecapitting works! We just decided to take it really really slow. I've been turning down the speed every couple of days (we're now on the lowest speed) and trying nap times once or twice a day in the crib. Yesterday he did 2 naps of 40 mins each in there. He really doesn't like being flat on his back though. Today he did no naps in there. I try to make sure I get him to have one, good nap a day to avoid over-tiredness, even if it's in the swing.

I know it will happen eventually. My middle son went through this too and one day, I tried the crib and he just magically did it. I'm all about the baby steps!

cuterusaurus · December 2013

I'm sorry you've had such a hard time with this.

Isaac screams too when I put him in the crib or bassinet after nursing. But the last two nights have been magic. I kept him awake, and laid my cooing happy baby down in the bassinet. Turned on the sound and light machine and he cooed himself to sleep.I don't know if this is a fluke or what, but I'll take it.

I'm hoping it's just some magical catching him at the right moment kind of thing.

PrimRoseMama · December 2013

Temperature & smell.

1.) Wear & sleep with her fitted sheet. Also get your smell all over her PJ's. This will help her feel surrounded by you when she is in there.

2.) You can use an electric blanket or old school water bottle filled with boiling water. Put it on the mattress as you are nursing/soothing to sleep. Often baby snaps awake due to a change in temp.

Also, I strongly advise against CIO. Your kid has a geniune need to be close to you. This is not manipulation or anything I would consider a CIO-worthy issue. Basically CIO would deprive her of a legit need.

The daycare workers can figure it out if need be. They probably deal with it more often than not. Also because you are mommy you might have a harder time with this. My husband was always able to get DD to bed with less drama when she was younger. I don't know why.

My prediction is that the daycare workers will hopefully figure out how to get your LO down for naps without CIO. Then, ask them their method. I wouldn't look at is as failure but as a different approach.

CIO never worked for us & I feel is not always appropriate. For some babies I guess it works but I just don't care for it.

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