Gina Johnson
A 2-month-old baby can sleep in a crib, but there are several factors to consider, including the baby's previous sleep habits, mood, and the comfort level of the parents. It is recommended that babies sleep on a firm, flat surface, and crib mattresses should be covered with a snug-fitting sheet, with no blankets, pillows, or toys in the crib. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends room-sharing without bed-sharing for at least the first 6 months to reduce the risk of SIDS. Establishing a bedtime routine and creating a similar environment to the bassinet can help ease the transition to a crib.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Crib safety | The crib mattress should be firm, flat, and covered with a sheet that fits snugly. Keep soft toys, pillows, blankets, and bumpers out of the crib. |
| Sleep duration | Infants up to 3 months old should get 14-17 hours of sleep over a 24-hour period, with 2-3 naps during the day. |
| Sleep environment | The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends room-sharing without bed-sharing for at least the first 6 months. Cribs are a safe option, but some babies may struggle to adapt to the new environment. |
| Sleep training | It's recommended to put your baby in the crib while they are still awake to help them get used to their surroundings. You can allow them 15-20 minutes to practice sleeping in the crib before offering additional comfort. |
| Transition from bassinet to crib | There is no exact age for this transition, but it typically occurs when the bassinet weight limit is reached or when the baby becomes too large for the bassinet. The transition may take a few days for the baby to adjust. |
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Safe sleep environment
A 2-month-old baby can sleep in a crib, and there are several ways to ensure that the sleep environment is safe. Firstly, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends room-sharing without bed-sharing for at least the first 6 months, as this reduces the risk of SIDS (sudden infant death syndrome). This means placing your baby's crib in your bedroom instead of in a separate room, allowing you to monitor your baby during the night.
To create a safe sleep environment, use a firm, flat sleep surface, such as a crib mattress, and cover it with a sheet that fits snugly. Do not put anything else in the crib, including plush toys, pillows, blankets, unfitted sheets, quilts, comforters, sheepskins, or bumper pads. Dress your baby according to the room temperature to avoid overheating, and do not cover their head while they sleep. Keep the crib away from hanging hazards, such as window blind cords, and ensure that all sleep products have been approved for babies.
Additionally, offer a pacifier to your baby at sleep time, as it may help reduce the risk of SIDS. Instead of blankets, use a snug-fitting swaddle to keep your baby cozy. If your baby wakes during their sleep, keep activity to a minimum, and try to keep the lights low.
It is important to note that there is no exact age for a baby to transition to a crib, and the decision is a personal one for each family. However, safety guidelines recommend that most babies should transition to a crib by 4-6 months to provide the safest sleep environment.
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Room-sharing
A 2-month-old baby can sleep in a crib, and many sources recommend this as a safe option. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) suggests room-sharing with your baby, ideally for the first six months, as it significantly reduces the risk of SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome). Room-sharing is when you place your baby's crib, portable crib, play yard, or bassinet in your own bedroom instead of in a separate room.
To create a safe sleep environment for your baby, the AAP recommends always placing your baby on their back to sleep on a flat, firm surface. The crib mattress should be covered with a sheet that fits snugly, and the mattress should be free of any blankets, pillows, stuffed animals, or bumpers. Hanging mobiles, wall hangings, pictures, draperies, and window blind cords could be harmful if within the baby's reach.
It is also important to watch for signs of overheating, such as sweating or feeling hot to the touch. Dress your baby according to the room temperature and avoid overbundling. If your baby wakes up during the period you want them to sleep, keep activity to a minimum. Keep the lights low and resist the urge to play with or talk to your baby.
The transition to a crib can be challenging, and it may take time and practice for your baby to adapt to this new sleeping environment. It is recommended to put your baby in the crib while they are still awake to help them get used to their surroundings. Establishing a bedtime routine can also help prepare babies for sleep.
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Crib setup
A 2-month-old baby can sleep in a crib. In fact, newborns can sleep in a crib from day one. However, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends room-sharing without bed-sharing for at least the first 6 months or, ideally, until a baby's first birthday. This is because the risk of SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome) is highest during this period.
- Use a firm, flat sleep surface. The mattress should be covered with a sheet that fits snugly.
- Do not put anything else in the crib. Keep plush toys, pillows, blankets, unfitted sheets, quilts, comforters, sheepskins, and bumper pads out of the crib.
- Dress your baby according to the room temperature and don't overbundle. Avoid covering your baby's head while they sleep.
- Keep your baby away from smokers. Secondhand smoke increases the risk of SIDS.
- Look around for things that your baby can touch from a seated or standing position in the crib. Hanging mobiles, wall hangings, pictures, draperies, and window blind cords could be harmful if they are within a baby's reach.
- Avoid items with cords, ties, or ribbons that can wrap around a baby's neck, and objects with sharp edges or corners.
- Offer a pacifier to your baby at sleep time, but don’t force it.
- If your baby wakes during their sleep, keep activity to a minimum. Keep the lights low and avoid playing with or talking to your baby. Change or feed your baby and then return them to the crib.
- Establish a bedtime routine that is familiar and relaxing for your baby. Bathing, reading, and singing can soothe babies and signal the end of the day.
- Be consistent with your baby's sleep schedule and environment. This will help them associate these steps with sleeping and build feelings of security in the crib.
- If your baby falls asleep while you’re holding them, lower them into the crib without letting their head tip backward. Gently cradle their head to prevent the feeling of falling, which can cause them to wake up.
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Sleep training
It is recommended that infants up to 3 months old should get 14–17 hours of sleep over a 24-hour period. Many will have settled into a daily sleep routine of 2-3 naps during the day, followed by a longer "sleeping through the night" stretch after a late-night feeding. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends room-sharing without bed-sharing for at least the first 6 months or, ideally, until a baby's first birthday. This is because the risk of SIDS (sudden infant death syndrome) is highest during this period.
- Offer some daily playtime in the crib to help your baby view it as a happy place. Sing songs or play peek-a-boo, and practice leaving for short periods of time to help build feelings of security in the crib.
- If your baby wakes during the period that you want them to sleep, keep activity to a minimum. Try to keep the lights low and avoid playing with or talking to your baby. Change or feed your baby and then return them to the crib.
- If your baby is 2 months old, the best approach is to put them down when they are drowsy but still awake, and then leave the room. If they fuss, respond immediately and try to soothe them in the crib. If they don't settle down quickly (20 to 30 seconds is reasonable), then pick them up and soothe them in your arms until they begin to fall asleep, and then put them down again.
- If you typically put your baby down around 7 p.m. but they cry for about 30 minutes in their crib, it’s likely that their natural bedtime is closer to 7:30 p.m. You can gradually shift their bedtime by 15 minutes each night until you’ve reached the desired time.
- Make sure to use a firm, flat sleep surface. Cover the mattress with a sheet that fits snugly, and do not put anything else in the crib or bassinet. Keep plush toys, pillows, blankets, and other similar items away from the baby's sleep area.
- Dress your baby according to the room temperature and don't overbundle. Do not cover your baby's head while they're sleeping.
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Sleep regression
A 2-month-old can sleep in a crib. In fact, a newborn can sleep in a crib from day one. However, it is important to follow safe sleeping guidelines. The crib mattress should be firm, the fitted sheets should be snug, and the mattress should be free of any blankets, pillows, stuffed animals, or bumpers. Hanging mobiles, wall hangings, pictures, draperies, and window blind cords should also be kept out of a baby's reach, as they could be harmful.
To help your baby through sleep regression, you can try establishing a bedtime routine, such as a bath, putting on pajamas, and reading a book or singing a song. It is important to put your baby in the crib when they are awake, so they can learn to soothe themselves to sleep. You can also try to make your baby feel secure in the crib by offering some daily playtime in it, such as playing peek-a-boo or practicing leaving for short periods.
If your baby wakes during their sleep period, keep activity to a minimum. Keep the lights low and avoid playing or talking to your baby. Change or feed them, and then return them to the crib. If your baby is waking early for a morning feeding, you can try shifting their schedule by waking them for a late-night feeding at a different time. For example, if your baby sleeps after a 7 p.m. feeding and wakes up at 2 a.m. to eat, try waking them for a feeding at 11 p.m. instead.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, a 2-month-old can sleep in a crib. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends room-sharing without bed-sharing for at least the first 6 months. This means placing your baby's crib in your bedroom instead of in a separate room.
It can be challenging to get a baby to sleep in a crib, especially when they are comfortable sleeping in your arms. Here are some tips to help your baby sleep in a crib:
- Offer some daily playtime in the crib to help your baby view it as a happy place.
- Put your baby in the crib while they are awake to help them get used to their surroundings.
- Recreate the same room environment as when they sleep in your room. A similar environment – a firm, flat mattress in a cool, dark room – will ease the transition.
- If your baby wakes during the period that you want them to sleep, keep activity to a minimum. Try to keep the lights low and avoid playing with or talking to your baby.
Infants up to 3 months old should get 14-17 hours of sleep over a 24-hour period. Many will have settled into a daily sleep routine of 2-3 naps during the day, followed by a longer "sleeping through the night" stretch after a late-night feeding. If your baby is under 6 months old, you might allow them 15-20 minutes to practice in the crib before helping them fall asleep.
