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Doctor insights on: When Can My Baby Start Sleeping In A Crib

As soon as possible: Your baby can sleep in a crib as soon as you bring him/her home. Make sure your baby doesn't sleep on his/her belly. ...Read more

Avoid co-bedding: Placing several babies in a single crib (aka co-bedding) increases the likelihood that none of them will get a good night's sleep. Co-bedding is also a major risk factor for sudden unexplained infant death (suid). So it is better, if possible, to provide a designated, segregated spot for each baby in order to guarantee uninterrupted sleep for the infant. ...Read more

I : I would definitely recommend a bassinet right next to your bed. That's where both of my breast fed babies slept. It was convenient and safe. With a bassinet the baby is separate and yet close enough for all those late night feedings! good luck. ...Read more

Calm bedtime routine: From birth to about 15-18 months, a baby can be taught to sleep in a crib. After 15-18 months, some babies can climb out of a crib. From the beginning, parents should keep a consistent, unexciting bedtime routine, so their baby gets sleepy instead of stimulated. After putting the baby down to sleep, parents should stay where the baby cannot see them, if their baby is a hard-to-fall-asleep baby. ...Read more

Start out that way: Though sometimes hard, delivery is the natural point to separate baby from mom in some wakeful & all sleep intervals. Parents can create a restful area for babies crib & enlist audible or visual monitors if worried.Babies are capable of learning to self settle in sleep almost immediately & will do so unless a parent insists on rocking or holding until asleep. ...Read more

Sleep consolidation : Through self-regulation occurs between 1-4 mos. If there has been a consistent bedtime & bedtime routine ( rocking, reading, feeding, wiping out baby's mouth with a soft cloth after the last feed) & baby is put in his own bed in his own room, drowsy, but awake. Allow him 5 min. To self-calm if he awakens. At 6 mos. Old, your going in & making eye contact will create a " trained night crier.". ...Read more

Yes: Make sure it is safe and the appropriate size for your baby. Check the mattress, as many models of travel cribs provide a very thin one. Many online vendors sell the thicker travel crib mattresses that may be more comfortable for your baby. Avoid anything else in the crib like pillows, blankets a baby may become entangled in and toys. Check always for recalls and safety issues with your crib. ...Read more

Why wait?: There is no magic age for transitioning baby to a crib. If you have it ready when you return home, you can start day one. Many use bassinets or cradles as a transition since the anxiety of new parenting wins out over simplicity. Baby av monitors are available and ease the job of keeping up with baby. Babies may develop a more self directed sleep program if they don't deal with parent snoreing etc. ...Read more

Routine: Most of us have a routine that prepares us for sleep. You can do the same for your baby, by clearly letting him/her know that bedtime is near. Try to always perform the same routine before bedtime, e.g. Bath, rocking, singing, etc so your little one always is ready for bed. Eventually your baby will get the message. Even if they cry, gently reassure and leave the room. ...Read more

Be Firm/Consistent: This is always easier advice to give than take, but it will work, and all books on the topic use some permutation of this advice. Put your baby in the crib when they are drowsy but still awake so they associate the crib with falling asleep. They will cry, but will learn to sleep in the crib in 7-10 days. Don't let them train you to rock them to sleep, bring to your bed, etc. They will be fine. ...Read more