You have the perfect nighttime plan. You bathe your baby, read a book, sing a song, and put them down in their crib to sleep. But your baby has a different idea. No crib! No sleep! No way!
You’re not alone. Many babies struggle with sleeping in their cribs, and many parents feel lost about what to do. But don’t worry. In this article, we discuss why your baby won’t sleep in their crib and what you can do to help them acclimate. Let’s get into it!
Key Takeaways
Table of contents
- The importance of sleep
- Reasons why your baby won’t sleep in their crib
- What to do if your baby won’t sleep in their crib
The importance of sleep
Sleep is important for all of us, but it’s especially important for your growing baby, and studies on infant sleep have reinforced this idea.
Sleep is a dynamic process. It has positive associations with memory, language, executive functioning, and other cognitive developments. It’s also a critical component of physical growth, health, and well-being. And getting enough sleep is important for emotional regulation, too.
So it can be worrisome when your baby won’t sleep in their crib. The good news is that, with a little time and effort, you can figure out why this is happening.
Reasons why your baby won’t sleep in their crib
Your baby isn’t sleeping in their crib for a reason. Once you can pinpoint the problem, you can find a solution!
Falling asleep outside their crib
One of the most common reasons a baby will resist their crib is because they’re falling asleep outside of it first. They might doze off when they’re in the car seat or stroller. Most often, they fall asleep all cozy in your arms.
Separation anxiety
Separation anxiety rears its head a few times over the course of your baby’s early years. It often starts around eight months old, when they first begin to explore the world away from you.
They might become wary of new people or new places. This can include their crib!
Teething
Nobody can sleep well if their mouth or gums hurt! This is definitely true of your baby when they’re teething. But how do you know if your baby is resisting their crib because they’re teething?
Look for these telltale signs:
- Swollen, tender gums
- Increased chewing
- Increased drooling
Not wanting to eat
- Fussiness
- And, of course, not sleeping!
You can expect to see your baby begin to cut their first teeth between four and eight months old.
Illness
Even we adults have a hard time sleeping in our beds when we’re sick. We might feel achy and uncomfortable, our stuffed-up nose can make it tough to breathe while lying down, or we might cough so much we wake ourselves up. It’s no different for your baby.
Long daytime naps
If your baby has transitioned from taking multiple naps a day to taking only one long one, you may find that they aren’t able to sleep in their crib at night. This is especially true if the nap occurs less than four hours before their bedtime.
Overstimulation
On the flip side, your baby may struggle to sleep in their crib at night if they are too stimulated during the day. And when they get revved up in the evening, it’s even more of a challenge for them to fall asleep.
What to do if your baby won’t sleep in their crib
Now that you have a sense of why your baby won’t sleep in their crib, is there anything you can do about it? Here are some ideas to try.
Just remember to be patient, both with your baby and yourself. It’s rough when you aren’t sleeping well, but it will get better!
1) Offer daily crib playtime.
If your baby feels uncomfortable in their crib, they just might not be used to it yet. Give your little one time in their crib when they’re not expected to sleep. Try placing them in it for five to 10 minutes a day. Sing songs together. Read some books. Play games.
Once your baby is having fun in their crib, leave for short periods of time. Your goal is to help them feel safe and secure.
2) Put your baby in their crib when they’re awake.
After you’ve gone through your soothing bedtime routine, try putting your baby in their crib awake. They should be calm and drowsy, but definitely aware of what’s going on around them.
Stay with them if they fuss, but try not to pick them up. Rub their back, hum to them, or repeat a gentle “shhhhh” to help them get to sleep.
3) Watch for sleep cues.
You want to put your baby to sleep while they’re still awake, but not too soon or too late. To get the timing just right, pay attention to sleep cues (signs that show they’re sleepy). If you miss their cues, they can become overtired, and an overtired baby struggles to fall asleep.
Some signs of a tired baby include:
- Waving arms and legs
- Jerky movements
- Yawning
- Losing interest in whatever they have been focused on
- Fussing
- Crying
4) Sleep with your baby’s sheet.
Really? Yes, really! One typical reason a baby resists their crib is that they miss their caregiver’s scent. The sense of smell is a powerful tool when it comes to feeling safe and sound.
Hold your baby’s sheet for a few nights as you sleep. For ultimate comfort (for both your baby and you!), use a Newton fitted Organic Cotton Sheet. Our organic muslin cotton is certified to the Global Organic Textile Standards (GOTS), soft, machine-washable, and breathable.
5) Make sure your baby is comfortable.
Is the temperature in your baby’s room just right? Somewhere between 68 and 72 degrees Fahrenheit is recommended. Is the room dark enough? If not, try blinds or blackout curtains.
As for the crib mattress itself, make sure it’s firm to keep your baby safe. But that doesn’t mean it has to be uncomfortable!
A Newton Crib Mattress is not only comfy but also completely washable, and our Breathe-Thru Technology lets babies breathe right through, reducing the risk of suffocation.
6) Create a bedtime routine
If you haven’t established a bedtime routine for your baby, it’s a good idea to do that as soon as possible.
Many parents begin their bedtime routines with a bath. The warm water is soothing. Once you scoop your little one out, you can put on their pajamas, brush their teeth, snuggle together, read a book or sing a few songs, and then sleep. Hopefully!
Don’t give up on a bedtime routine if it seems challenging at first. The more your baby experiences it, the more their body will come to expect it and respond by winding down.
Better crib sleep is around the corner with Newton!
If you can’t get your baby to sleep in their crib yet, don’t give up. It’s a common struggle, and you’re not alone. Find support from family, friends, or other caregivers who have had similar experiences.
Newton is here to help, too! We’ve got everything your baby needs for quality sleep, from our breathable, washable Crib Mattresses to our cozy Organic Cotton Sheets and wide selection of Cribs. All of our products are carefully designed with your baby’s safety and comfort in mind.
With support, patience, and lots of love, you’ll find the perfect solution for both you and your baby, and soon you’ll both be getting a great night’s sleep!
Frequently asked questions
How long will it take before my baby sleeps through the night in their crib?
Every baby’s timeline is different. Your baby might acclimate to their crib in a few days, or it might take them a few weeks. It’s even common for babies to take a month or two before they’re comfortable in their new crib routine.
How long can I leave my baby in their crib if they’re not sleeping?
You know your baby best. And you know yourself best, too! How long you leave your baby awake in their crib depends on your baby’s personality, age, and experience with sleeping alone, as well as your comfort level with letting your baby work things out on their own.
Important note: always consult with your pediatrician before deciding on how long you can leave your baby alone in their crib.
What can I put in my baby’s room to help them fall asleep in their crib?
After making sure your baby’s crib is safe and comfortable, their room is safe and comfortable, and the temperature in the room is conducive to sleep, you can try other sleep aids that might help.
Some babies like a little light in their room, so you could try a night-light. A sound machine can feel soothing to babies, too (keep the volume below 50 decibels to protect your baby’s hearing).
Other babies like to look at something as they fall asleep, so you could hang art on their wall or a mobile from their ceiling. Just make sure all of these aids are out of your baby’s reach and securely attached so they won’t fall.
