How to Get Baby to Sleep in Crib
Getting your baby to sleep in their crib can feel like one of those epic parenting battles—you know it’s good for them (and for you!), but they just seem to have other plans. Whether your baby prefers your arms, a cozy bassinet, or even the family bed, making the transition to a crib can be tricky. But don’t worry—you’re not alone in this!
I remember when I first tried transitioning my daughter to her crib. She was used to being rocked to sleep in my arms, and every time I gently placed her in the crib, her eyes would snap open as if to say, “Nice try, Mom!” It was frustrating, but over time, we found a rhythm that worked for her—and for me.
In this guide, I’ll walk you through why the crib can feel like such a big change for your baby and, more importantly, how to make the transition smoother. Whether you’re starting fresh or dealing with resistance, these tips are designed to help your baby feel comfortable and secure in their crib—and to give you some well-deserved rest, too.
Why Is the Crib Transition So Hard?
Transitioning your baby to a crib is a big deal because it’s not just about where they sleep—it’s about how they feel. Babies thrive on closeness, so moving them to a new, independent sleep space can feel unfamiliar at first. Add in developmental milestones like crawling or teething, and it’s easy to see why this step can feel overwhelming for both you and your baby.
But here’s the good news: with patience, consistency, and a few proven strategies, your baby can learn to love their crib as a safe, cozy sleep space. Let’s start by setting up their crib for success!
Setting Up the Crib for Success
Before you start transitioning your baby to the crib, it’s important to create a sleep environment that feels safe, soothing, and familiar. A well-prepared crib can make a world of difference in helping your baby settle more easily.
Create a Safe Sleep Space
First things first: safety is key. Ensure the crib follows safe sleep guidelines to give you peace of mind and your baby a safe, secure space.
Keep It Clear: The crib should be free of loose blankets, pillows, stuffed animals, or bumpers. Use a firm mattress with a snugly fitted sheet.
Lay Baby on Their Back: Always place your baby on their back to sleep to reduce the risk of SIDS.
Choose a Sleep Sack: Instead of blankets, opt for a wearable blanket or sleep sack to keep your baby cozy without any loose items.
When I transitioned my son to his crib, I was nervous about making sure it was safe and comfortable. Using a sleep sack gave me peace of mind while keeping him warm through the night.
Make the Crib Feel Familiar
Your baby’s crib might feel like a brand-new space, so it’s important to make it as familiar as possible.
Use a Familiar Scent: Place a crib sheet that smells like you by keeping it close to you for a night or two before putting it on the crib. This can provide extra comfort for your baby.
Introduce the Sleep Sack Early: Start using the sleep sack or wearable blanket a few nights before the transition to help your baby associate it with bedtime.
Stick to the Same Bedtime Items: If your baby is used to a white noise machine or a specific type of lighting, use those in the crib environment to create continuity.
I found that my daughter settled much better in her crib once we added her white noise machine and dim nightlight, both of which we had been using during her bassinet days.
Add Sleep Cues to the Crib Environment
Babies love consistency, so creating a soothing crib setup with predictable sleep cues can help them relax.
White Noise Machine: This blocks out household noise and mimics the comforting sounds they heard in the womb.
Blackout Curtains: If your baby is sensitive to light, keeping the room dark can help them settle for naps and bedtime more easily.
Comfort Object (If Age-Appropriate): For babies over 12 months, introducing a small lovey or blanket can provide a sense of security in the crib.
By setting up the crib as a safe, cozy, and familiar space, you’re laying the groundwork for a successful transition. Next, we’ll explore the step-by-step process of helping your baby learn to sleep in their crib.
Gradual Steps to Transition to the Crib
Transitioning your baby to the crib doesn’t have to happen overnight. Taking it slow and introducing the crib gradually can help your baby feel comfortable and secure in their new sleep space. Here’s a step-by-step approach to make the transition smoother.
1. Start with Daytime Practice
The crib doesn’t have to feel like a mysterious new place. During the day, let your baby spend supervised time in the crib to explore and get used to it.
Playtime in the Crib: Lay your baby in the crib with a few safe toys (if they’re old enough) or just let them look around and feel the space. This helps create positive associations with the crib.
Practice Short Naps: Start with one nap a day in the crib. It’s okay if it’s a short nap at first—your baby is learning!
When I transitioned my son, we started with 15 minutes of playtime in the crib each morning. By the end of the week, he was more relaxed when I laid him down for a nap.
2. Transition from Co-Sleeping or Rocking
If your baby is used to sleeping in your bed, a bassinet, or being rocked to sleep, it can help to make the crib feel like a natural extension of those familiar spaces.
Drowsy but Awake: Lay your baby in the crib when they’re calm and sleepy but still awake. This helps them learn to fall asleep in the crib on their own.
Gradually Reduce Rocking or Holding: If you typically rock your baby to sleep, try rocking until they’re drowsy but not fully asleep. Over time, reduce the amount of rocking before placing them in the crib.
When I moved my daughter from a bassinet to her crib, I started by holding her until she was calm and then placing her in the crib. At first, she needed a bit of soothing in the crib, but eventually, she started settling on her own.
3. Use a Consistent Bedtime Routine
A calming bedtime routine helps signal to your baby that it’s time to sleep—and ending the routine in the crib reinforces that the crib is their sleep space.
Stick to Predictable Steps: Include a bath, a story, a lullaby, or anything else your baby finds calming.
End the Routine in the Crib: Instead of rocking or holding your baby to sleep, lay them in the crib as the final step of the routine.
For my family, our routine was simple: a quick bath, a cozy book, and then laying my son down with his sleep sack and white noise on. Over time, he learned to associate these steps with sleep, making the transition to the crib much easier.
4. Be Patient and Flexible
Remember, every baby is different. Some may take to the crib quickly, while others need more time. Celebrate small victories, like a successful nap or settling without too much protest, and stay consistent with your approach.
Up next, we’ll talk about how to handle resistance and offer strategies for soothing your baby if they struggle with the transition.
Addressing Resistance to the Crib
It’s completely normal for your baby to resist sleeping in their crib at first. After all, they’re used to the comfort and closeness of their previous sleep arrangement. The key is to stay calm, consistent, and responsive as they adjust. Here are some effective ways to handle crib resistance.
Stay Close for Comfort
Babies often feel more secure when they know you’re nearby. If your baby cries or seems unsettled in the crib, try offering reassurance without picking them up right away.
Sit Beside the Crib: Sit in a chair next to the crib, pat their back, or speak softly to reassure them. Over time, gradually move farther away until they can settle on their own.
Use Gentle Touch: Lightly patting or rubbing their back can help them relax and feel secure in the crib.
When I transitioned my son, I spent the first few nights sitting next to his crib and quietly humming while he fell asleep. After a few days, he started settling more easily without needing me so close.
Try the “Pick Up, Put Down” Method
If your baby is crying and needs more comfort, use the “pick up, put down” method:
Pick your baby up when they’re upset to calm them down.
Once they’re calm, gently place them back in the crib, even if they’re not fully asleep.
Repeat as needed, gradually reducing how often you pick them up.
This method can take time, but it helps your baby learn that the crib is a safe place while also allowing them to develop self-soothing skills.
Ease the Transition with Gradual Changes
If your baby is really struggling with the transition, consider taking smaller steps:
Start with One Sleep Period: Begin with just naps or bedtime in the crib, rather than making the switch for every sleep period all at once.
Use a Partial Transition: For babies used to co-sleeping, you can try placing the crib next to your bed for a few nights before moving it to the nursery.
When we moved my daughter to her crib, we started with naps only. After about a week of successful naps, we transitioned her to sleeping in the crib at night, and it went much more smoothly than I expected.
Be Patient with Night Wakings
Night wakings are normal during the crib transition. If your baby wakes up crying, give them a few moments to try settling on their own before intervening.
If they don’t settle, offer comfort while keeping them in the crib, such as patting or shushing.
Avoid bringing them back to your bed, as this can reinforce the habit of not sleeping in the crib.
It’s important to remember that adjusting to the crib is a process. Some nights may be easier than others, but with consistency, your baby will become more comfortable.
Tips for Staying Consistent
Consistency is the key to successfully transitioning your baby to their crib. While it can be tempting to revert to old habits during tough moments, sticking to your plan will help your baby adjust more quickly. Here’s how to maintain consistency while still being flexible enough to adapt to your baby’s needs.
Stick to the Plan
Once you’ve started the transition, try to keep your approach consistent. This means continuing to place your baby in the crib for naps and bedtime, even if they protest.
Avoid Reverting to Old Habits: Bringing your baby back to your bed or rocking them fully to sleep can confuse them and make the process longer.
Be Predictable: Babies thrive on routine, so keeping the steps the same every night (e.g., bedtime routine, laying them in the crib drowsy but awake) reinforces the crib as their sleep space.
I learned this the hard way when I gave in and rocked my daughter to sleep one particularly difficult night. It took several days to get back on track, but once I committed to consistency, she started sleeping longer stretches in her crib.
Give It Time
Transitions like this don’t happen overnight. It can take days or even weeks for your baby to fully adjust to sleeping in their crib.
Celebrate the small wins: A single nap or part of the night in the crib is progress!
Keep your expectations realistic: It’s normal for there to be ups and downs during the process.
Embrace Imperfection
Some nights will feel like victories, while others may leave you questioning everything. This is completely normal, and it doesn’t mean you’re doing anything wrong.
If your baby has a rough night, don’t stress—just stay consistent and keep trying.
If you need to hold or rock your baby on a particularly tough night, that’s okay! The important thing is to get back to your plan as soon as possible.
When transitioning my son, there were nights when he settled easily in his crib, and others when he needed more support. Staying patient and focused on the long-term goal helped us both get through it.
Track Patterns and Progress
Keeping a sleep log can help you identify what’s working and what isn’t. Track things like:
How long it takes your baby to fall asleep.
How many times they wake during the night.
How long they sleep in the crib versus other sleep spaces.
This can give you a clearer picture of your baby’s progress and help you adjust your approach if needed.
Adjust When Necessary
While consistency is important, every baby is different, and sometimes small tweaks are needed.
If your baby struggles with the drowsy-but-awake approach, try a gentler transition, like staying by their crib for a few nights.
If naps aren’t going well, focus on bedtime first, then gradually introduce naps in the crib.
By staying consistent and giving yourself grace, you’ll help your baby adapt to their crib at their own pace. In the final section, we’ll wrap up with encouragement and a reminder that you’re doing an amazing job.
Patience, Consistency, and Love Win the Day
Transitioning your baby to sleep in their crib is a big milestone—for both of you. It’s not always easy, but with patience, consistency, and lots of love, you’ll help your little one feel safe and secure in their new sleep space.
What to Remember as You Transition
It’s a Process: Some babies adapt quickly, while others take more time. Progress, no matter how small, is still progress.
Celebrate Wins: Whether it’s a successful nap in the crib or a slightly smoother bedtime, these are signs that you’re on the right track.
Flexibility is Okay: While consistency is key, adapting to your baby’s needs doesn’t mean you’re failing. Sometimes, small adjustments can make all the difference.
I still remember the first full night my daughter slept in her crib. It felt like a monumental victory after weeks of gradual changes and trial and error. Those sleepless nights and the moments of doubt were worth it when I saw how well she settled into her new routine.
You’re Doing an Amazing Job
Helping your baby transition to sleeping in their crib is no small feat. It requires patience, creativity, and a lot of resilience—qualities you’re already showing just by starting this journey.
Remember, every baby is unique, and what works for one family might look different for yours. Trust your instincts, stay consistent, and lean on the strategies that feel right for you and your little one.
If you hit roadblocks, remind yourself: this phase won’t last forever. You’re giving your baby the tools to sleep independently, setting the stage for restful nights and happier days ahead.
You’ve got this—and when in doubt, know you’re not alone. If you have questions or need more personalized advice, I’m here to help. Sweet dreams to you and your little one!
Feeling overwhelmed with your baby's sleep challenges? You're not alone! At Dreaming Littles, we're dedicated to helping you and your baby achieve peaceful nights and joyful mornings. Reach out to us for personalized guidance, support, and expert strategies tailored to your family's needs. Let's make those sleepless nights a thing of the past! Book your FREE consultation today!