How To Move Your Sleeping Baby To The Crib - A Strategy That Works
Your little baby is finally asleep, and now you want to transfer them to the crib. But you and I know what's going to happen. They are going to wake the minute you put them down. So here I have a foolproof strategy to show you how to move your baby to the crib without waking them.
Yay! Your baby is finally asleep! Good job, dear parent! It's time to pat yourself on your back. If you could...right?
Because that little bug prefers to nap in your warm arms rather than in the crib.
And come on, they look so cute and peaceful sleeping in your arms. It feels like a moment you never want to let go of.
Contact naps are great. But there will come a time when you are ready to put your baby in the crib.
The question is, just how?
You have tried countless times, but your baby always wakes the minute their body touches the crib mattress.
We know nothing is more holy than a sleeping baby, so what should you do?
I would rather chop my arm off than risking to wake that sleeping baby.
In this article, I have the best strategy for moving your sleeping baby to the crib without waking them. But first, let's take a look at why babies wake when they are put down.
This article covers:
Why Do Babies Wake When Put Down?
First off, you are not alone. I think every parent that has ever existed on this mother earth has struggled with this sleep problem. So don't worry. Your baby is not different from other babies.
You will see this behavior, especially in newborn babies. I have seen mothers asking why their one-week-old baby will only sleep in their arms.
Well, there are a few reasons why babies wake when you put them down. Let's take a quick look at them:
Evolutionary Behavior
Believe it, or not but infants are programmed to wake instinctively when they are put down. They have spent the last 9 months in a safe and perfect environment. Obviously, all they want is to sleep in your arms where they feel safe.
Startle Reflex
All newborn babies have the Startle reflex, also known as the Moro reflex. The reflex causes your baby to suddenly extend their arms and legs as an involuntary response to sudden noises or movements. Especially when you lay your baby down, they can experience a sudden falling sensation which triggers this reflex. Then the abrupt motion can cause your baby to wake.
Change Of Environment
This especially applies to babies 3 months and older. Your baby gets more aware of their surroundings and where they are. So if they fall asleep in your arms and then slightly wake up only to discover they are somewhere completely else, it can wake them.
Light Sleep
Sleep patterns of babies are different from adults. They spend a lot of time in light sleep.
When your baby falls asleep, they will first be in a stage of light sleep. During this stage, they can wake up easily because of movement, noise, or light.
They Are Not Used To Sleeping In The Crib
There is nothing wrong with letting your baby sleep in your arms. But it may have become the sleep space they are used to and prefer now (for good reasons, obviously). When your little one is simply not used to sleeping in the crib, they will wake when you put them down.
Prepare The Ideal Environment
Before trying out any sleep training approach, you always need to ensure that you have prepared everything for safe sleep and a sleep-inducing environment.
Your baby can be uncomfortable if their environment is not right. This goes for daytime naps and the night.
Remove blankets, cushions, and any stuffed animals from the bassinet or crib. Make sure to prepare a dark room and use a sleep sack to control your baby's body temperature better. You can also use swaddling for your newborn baby (if they are not turning around yet). Finally, use white noise to mask outside noises, including the one you hopefully don't make when you try to leave the room the ninja way.
Get Your Baby Used to New Sleep Associations
Rocking your baby to sleep is absolutely fine, and I promise I won't give you a lecture about independent sleep.
While healthy sleep habits such as a routine can be very beneficial, you will still be able to transfer your baby to the crib even if you help them fall asleep.
I have rocked my baby to sleep from the first day, and at 7 weeks, I was able to successfully transfer them to the crib and get them to nap for 2 hours.
Instead, I want you to introduce new active sleep associations that will make it easier for you to help your baby fall back to sleep in the crib.
While you nurse or rock your baby to sleep, you can additionally stroke their forehead or back or pat their bum. If you continue doing this, it will become another sleep association that is much easier to use while your baby is in the crib (in case they wake while you put them down).
How To Move Baby To Crib Without Waking
Now let's get to the exciting part. Inhale that baby smell one more time before we move that cutie pie to the crib!
The Right Timing
This is the most crucial point to watch out for. Timing is crucial when you want your baby to continue sleeping in the crib.
There are two possibilities when to place your baby in the crib. I suggest you try both and see which one works better for your baby. It highly depends on your baby's temperament and the way they go down for sleep.
Method 1: Put Them Down When They Are REALLY Drowsy
Don't worry, I am not talking about drowsy but awake. I am talking about your baby almost falling asleep, closing and opening those eyelids.
Were you ever that tired that you had to fight sleep? Your eyes are closing, but you need to stay awake? If yes, then you know how hard it is to stay awake.
That's exactly the stage we want to reach with our baby. Once you notice they can barely keep their eyes open, you very slowly place them into the crib.
Yes, your baby will practically be in the crib awake, but they are so tired that it's very hard for them not to fall asleep. Stroke them between their eyebrows. This will trigger a reflex to close the eyes, which will help them fall asleep.
Wait a few minutes before you leave.
This method works well for younger babies and babies that fall asleep quite easily.
Method 2: Wait Until They Are In Deep Sleep
If your baby takes more time to fall asleep, then this method might work better for you.
As you now know, babies spend the first 15-20 minutes in light sleep. Before you transfer your baby to the crib, you should wait until they are in deep sleep. Then chances that they will wake up are much lower.
To find out if your baby is in the deep sleep stage, you can try the following. Pick up your baby's arm for a bit and let it go. If it falls down weightlessly, then they are in deep sleep.
With this method, you have to wait through the first stage of your baby's sleep cycle until you can put them down. But the wait can be worthwhile.
Keep Baby Very Close To Your Body & Move Slowly
Putting your baby down into the crib can be a real workout for your muscles. You have to flex those muscles to bend down the crib.
When you put your baby down, keep them very close to your body and lower your upper body with them. Put down your baby very slowly. Oh yea, that muscles will hurt.
If you think you are already moving slowly, then move even slower.
If you let go too soon, your baby can wake from experiencing a falling sensation. Even keep them in your arms when they are already lying on the mattress.
To free your arms, you can slightly turn your baby onto their side away from you and get your arms out. If your baby wakes, keep them in that position and slightly pat their bum. It will help them fall back asleep. Then slowly put them on their back before you leave.
Always Bum First
Another important thing you need to do when putting your baby down is to put them down bum first. Then slowly proceed with their back, shoulders, and finally, head.
If their head is the lowest point of their body when you transfer them, they can wake from experiencing a falling sensation. So always, cutie bum first.
What If It Still Doesn't Work
After all, your baby needs to get used to sleeping this way. And you cannot expect them to do that the first time you try. Your baby might still wake from time to time, but it's important to keep trying. Sometimes it's just a hit-and-miss situation.
Getting used to sleeping in the crib is a process. So don't be discouraged if you fail to succeed the first few times. The more often you try, the better your baby will get at sleeping in the crib.
With that said, you don't need to try this method every time your baby naps. Try during naps that are achieved more easily, for example, the morning or lunch nap. Sleep pressure is still high, and babies usually fall asleep much easier than in the afternoon.
You should also have realistic expectations and accept that some babies will start to sleep independently on their own terms and in their own timeline. Sure, you can help them along with gentle sleep approaches, but you still cannot force them.
If nothing seems to work and baby just wants to be with you, try bed-sharing. I know that some families are afraid of "going down that road," but many families actually feel freed from pressure once they try it out. But always make sure to follow safety guidelines for safe bed-sharing.