How to get your Baby to Sleep in a Crib

Is your newborn refusing to sleep in a crib? Is the little one ready to doze off anywhere from your arms to the backseat of your car but not a bed that is designed specifically for that purpose? If you think that you’re the only parent that’s going through this, well, think again.
Babies are notorious for falling asleep anywhere. Allowing the baby sleep where they find it most comfortable and ignoring the idea of a crib, although is tempting, is not as safe as one might think. And the fact that you took so many hours to decide on which crib only for it to remain unused makes you wonder whether purchasing it was even worth it. Lucky for you, we have the perfect solution to all your baby crib problems.  
In order to help you maximize the utility of your time and money, we are here to guide you on how you can convince your newborn to sleep in the crib.

Why won't your baby sleep in the crib? 

For your newborn to adjust to the new environment of a crib after spending months in the womb of their mother might require some time. It’s perfectly fine if for the first few weeks of their lives, they cry and reject the comfort of the crib, however, if the initial weeks of their lives are spent away from the crib, the baby might get used to sleeping in a different place.
Usually, parents unknowingly condition their babies to sleep in their arms or a car seat. According to Jodi Mindell, Ph.D., associate director of the Sleep Center at The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia and author of "Sleeping Through the Night":
"After babies hit the 6-month mark, their napping and nighttime habits become harder to change." 
Moreover, studies indicate that babies get higher quality sleep and wake up less often in the crib compared to when they sleep in other spots.

Getting your baby to sleep in their crib   

The first step is to ensure that the environment in the baby's room is optimal for sleeping and that nothing is disrupting the sleep cycle of the baby. You can look into the following factors:

• Check the room temperature and try to keep the temperature between 68 to 72 Fahrenheit. According to Dr. Moore:

"One reason a baby gets upset when you try to transition him to the crib is the drastic change in temperature. He goes from the heat of your body to a relatively cold bed,"

• Check the clothes that the baby is wearing while trying to get them to sleep in the crib. The type and weight of the fabric might not work for your child, depending on their skin and the room's temperature.
• The fabric of the crib-sheets also matters a lot as it provides comfort and warmth to your little angel.
• Using a sleep sack or swaddle-blanket will add an extra layer of security and warmth. Try not to use a swaddle after the baby is older than three months of age, as at this point, they start to roll over.
• Keep track of when the baby last ate and how often the baby gets hungry. Preferably after every 2 to 3 hours, the newborn should be fed.
• Make sure the room is free from loud noises so the baby can sleep peacefully in the crib. You can use white noise to create a calming environment.
• The lighting of the room is vital for the growth of the baby. The darker the room, the better.
• Increase the play time during the day so the baby can learn new skills faster and then sleep longer at night.
• The baby should be drowsy when placed in the crib as they will learn to sleep on their own. Take proper care and ensure they don't sleep in your arms, and if you feel they might then place them properly in the crib so the habit of sleeping in other spots doesn't develop.
• Make a bedtime routine that helps you and the baby adjust to the natural circadian rhythms. This will help you get quality sleep as eight hours of sleep might not be a possibility in the first few months.
• Babies tend to cry for a few minutes and then go back to sleep on their own so try to wait a little while every time your child starts to cry. The temptation to be there for your child might get the best of you but some behaviors can only be conditioned by giving the child the room to learn on their own.

Moreover, it is recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics that you get the crib set up in your room for the first six months. This will help with the baby’s growth and overall health.

Conclusion 

It is imperative to ensure that your baby does not grow accustomed to sleeping in places other than the crib that was designed for that very purpose. Making sure that the room conditions including temperature and lighting are of the optimal level are essential components in ensuring that your child gets the rest that they deserve.