Ashwin Lewis
Training a 2-month-old baby to sleep in a crib can be challenging, especially when they are comfortable sleeping in your arms. It is important to note that babies often don't have a regular sleep cycle until they are 6 months old, and the cry it out method is not recommended for babies under 4 months old. To help your baby sleep in a crib, you can start by establishing a bedtime routine and a safe sleeping environment. This may include feeding, reading a book, singing songs, and putting them in the crib drowsy but awake to help them get used to their surroundings. You can also offer a pacifier and a white noise machine for comfort. Additionally, allowing your baby to self-soothe and creating positive experiences with the crib can help ease the transition.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Crib placement | In the parents' room for at least the first 6 months of life, per the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) |
| Mattress | Firm, flat, and covered with a sheet that fits snugly |
| Crib items | No blankets, pillows, plush toys, bumpers, quilts, comforters, sheepskins, or loose items that could pose a risk of suffocation or entanglement |
| Crib safety | Avoid hanging mobiles, wall hangings, pictures, draperies, and window blind cords within baby's reach |
| Baby sleep sack/swaddle | Recommended for warmth and security; stop swaddling once the baby can roll over |
| Temperature | Keep the room cool to reduce the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS); dress the baby appropriately for room temperature |
| Noise | White noise machines or fans can be used to mimic womb sounds and improve air circulation |
| Sleep associations | Avoid creating associations with feeding or rocking the baby to sleep; instead, focus on establishing a bedtime routine that includes the crib |
| Self-soothing | Allow the baby to fuss for a few minutes before responding to see if they can self-soothe; offer verbal soothing or tummy rubbing if needed |
| Sleep schedule | Establish a consistent sleep schedule, including nap times, to help the baby differentiate between day and night |
| Parental presence | Gradually reduce the amount of support and comfort provided over time to encourage independent sleep initiation |
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What You'll Learn
Create a bedtime routine
Creating a bedtime routine can help your baby understand that bedtime is approaching. This routine should be consistent and can include activities such as a bath, brushing teeth, reading a book, singing a song, and rocking your baby. The routine should end with your baby being placed in the crib while drowsy but still awake. This helps them get used to their surroundings and can make the transition to sleeping in the crib easier.
It is important to note that this routine should be followed not just at bedtime but also during the day when preparing for naps. Consistency is key, and it may take some time and patience to establish this routine. You may have to repeat certain steps, such as cuddling and putting your baby down, a few times, but this is normal and does not mean you are doing anything wrong.
In addition to the bedtime routine, there are other factors to consider when creating a comfortable sleep environment for your baby. These include:
- Temperature: Keeping the room cool is recommended to prevent overheating, which is a risk factor for SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome). Using a fan can help with air circulation.
- Dress: Dress your baby appropriately for the cool room temperature, ensuring the sleeper has a snug fit without any loose strings that could pose a safety hazard.
- Swaddle or sack: A swaddle or sleep sack can provide additional warmth and security. However, it is important to stop swaddling once your baby can roll over.
- Noise: White noise machines or playing music can be soothing for babies, reminding them of the calming sounds they heard in the womb.
- Crib setup: The crib mattress should be firm and covered with a snug-fitting sheet. Avoid placing any soft objects, such as pillows, blankets, or stuffed animals, in the crib to prevent safety hazards. Ensure that the crib is free of any hazards that your baby can reach, such as hanging mobiles or window blind cords.
- Pacifiers: Offering a pacifier at bedtime is optional but may potentially reduce the risk of SIDS.
Remember, it is recommended to have your baby sleep in the same room as you for the first six months, ideally until their first birthday, to reduce the risk of SIDS further. This can be achieved by setting up the crib in your room or using a bassinet or mini-crib.
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Encourage self-soothing
It is important to encourage self-soothing behaviours before separation anxiety kicks in, usually around 8 to 9 months. A baby that is able to self-soothe will be able to fall asleep independently, without needing to rely on sleep crutches such as being rocked or fed.
Firstly, it is important to understand your baby's sleep cues and respond to them promptly. This will help you to develop healthy sleep habits by following your baby's natural sleep rhythm. A bedtime routine can be very helpful in this regard, as it provides consistency and signals to your baby's body that it is time to relax and go to sleep. This routine might include a bath, brushing teeth, reading a book, singing a song, and rocking your baby.
Secondly, it is recommended to put your baby to bed when they are tired but still awake. This will give them time to adjust to the environment of the crib as they fall asleep. If your baby wakes up in the middle of the night, you can acknowledge them by talking or singing softly, or by patting them gently, while they remain in the crib. This can help them fall back to sleep without needing to be picked up.
Thirdly, if your baby is unable to self-soothe, you can offer verbal soothing or a tummy rub until they calm down. Keep the room dark and try not to pick them up. You can continue going in every 5 to 10 minutes as needed until they fall asleep.
Finally, it is important to provide more support at the beginning of the transition and gradually reduce it over time. This process may take days or weeks, but it is important to be consistent.
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Make the crib a happy place
It is important to make the crib a welcoming place for your baby. You can do this by offering some daily playtime in the crib—5 to 10 minutes of singing songs and playing peek-a-boo will help your baby view the crib as a happy place. You can also practice leaving for short periods to help build feelings of security.
If your baby is well-fed, warm, and has a dry diaper, but still can't fall asleep, comfort them as needed. Once they are drowsy, place them back in the crib to fall asleep. If your baby is older than 4 to 6 months, you can maintain a bit more distance during comforting. Keep the room dark and avoid picking them up. You can continue going in every 5 to 10 minutes as needed until they fall asleep.
It is also important to provide more support at the start of the transition and slowly offer less over time. Babies are smart and will know when they have 'won' the battle. If you go back to sleeping in the same room, the transition will be more difficult the second time.
You can also try to get your baby to take their first nap of the day in the crib. Once that works, add another. You can also create a positive experience by allowing them to spend quiet time in the crib with board books and music playing while you are nearby. Knowing that lunch is followed by a nap and then playtime gives your baby a sense of security that makes transitions easier.
It is normal for babies to wake up often, fuss, and wiggle before falling back asleep. Allow your baby to fuss for a few minutes before responding to see if they will fall back asleep. If your baby is having trouble sleeping in the crib due to discomfort from reflux, consult your pediatrician.
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Dress for the room temperature
When transitioning a 2-month-old to sleep in a crib, it is important to remember that newborns and younger infants often need more help sleeping. You could try allowing them 15 to 20 minutes to practice sleeping in the crib before picking them up and helping them fall asleep in your arms. If your baby falls asleep while you're holding them, lower them into the crib without letting their head tip backward. Place their lower half on the mattress first, while gently cradling their head to prevent the feeling of falling, which can wake them up.
To help your baby get used to the crib, offer some daily playtime in the crib for 5 to 10 minutes to help them view it as a happy place. Sing songs or play peek-a-boo, and practice leaving for short periods to help build feelings of security.
Now, onto the topic of dressing your baby for sleep:
It is essential to maintain a safe room temperature for your baby, as overheating increases the risk of SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome). Babies under 12 weeks old cannot regulate their body temperature well, so it is important to create a safe sleep environment that keeps them cozy without overheating them. The ideal room temperature for sleep is around 60-67 degrees Fahrenheit or 15.5–19 degrees Celsius. You can layer up your baby's clothing and coverings from there.
Dress your baby for sleep based on how you are dressed. If you are wearing flannel pajamas under a heavy comforter, your baby might need some extra layers. Most babies sleep comfortably in a room temperature of 68–72°F (20–22.2°C) when dressed appropriately. Focus on your baby's core temperature, which you can check by feeling their tummy, neck, or chest. Their hands and feet are often cooler due to less blood flow.
When choosing baby sleepwear, look for the TOG (Thermal Overall Grade) rating, which indicates the thickness and warmth level of the fabric. For example, 0.5 TOG is lightweight and ideal for hot summer nights, while 1.0 TOG is medium weight and versatile for year-round use. You can adjust the number of layers under your baby's sleep sack/swaddle or opt for a lower TOG rating if they are dressed too warmly.
Remember, loose items or clothing, such as hats, mittens, hair bows, or pacifier clips, are not considered safe for sleep. If you are unsure about your baby's layers or temperature, consult your pediatrician.
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Put your baby down drowsy but awake
Putting your baby down drowsy but awake is a popular method for helping your baby sleep in a crib. The idea is that, instead of rocking or nursing your baby to sleep, you observe their sleep cues and pay attention to their wake windows, so you can put them down when they're tired but still awake.
This method teaches your baby to fall asleep on their own, which will help them self-soothe when they wake up in the middle of the night or early morning. It also helps to get them used to falling asleep in their crib.
- Watch for sleep cues: Look out for signs that your baby is becoming sleepy, such as yawning, rubbing their eyes, fussing, crying, or pulling on their ear.
- Understand their wake windows: Pay attention to how long your baby has been awake to determine when they're likely to become drowsy.
- Be consistent: Stick to a bedtime routine that includes the crib, and be consistent with your sleep training method.
- Allow for self-soothing: Give your baby a few minutes to fuss and try to put themselves back to sleep before responding.
- Replicate the process: If your baby wakes up in the middle of the night, try to replicate the same bedtime routine to signal that it's time to sleep.
- Avoid overstimulation: When feeding or changing your baby during nighttime wake-ups, avoid overstimulating them by keeping the lights low and avoiding toys or games.
- Don't give up too soon: It may take some time for your baby to learn to fall asleep on their own, so be patient and consistent with the drowsy but awake method.
Remember, it's important to always place your baby on a flat surface to sleep, and the crib should be free from blankets, pillows, stuffed animals, or other items. This method may not work for all babies, but with consistency and patience, your baby will likely get the hang of falling asleep independently in their crib.
Frequently asked questions
It is normal for newborns to need help getting to sleep. You could try allowing them 15-20 minutes to practice sleeping in the crib before picking them up and helping them fall asleep in your arms. If they fall asleep while you're holding them, lower them into the crib without letting their head tip backward.
You could try offering 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.
It's important to understand your baby's sleep cues and respond to them promptly. If your baby is well-fed, warm, and has a clean diaper, but they still aren’t able to fall asleep on their own, comfort them as needed. You could try tummy rubbing or verbal soothing until they calm down.
It is recommended that babies sleep in their parent's room for at least the first 6 months of life. This could be in a crib or a bassinet. Keeping the baby nearby helps with feeding, comforting, and monitoring during the night.
