Sleep Situation!

Hi N.,
You should read the book, "Healthy Sleep Habits, Happy Child". It says that babies don't learn any sleeping habits until 4 months so I wouldn't worry until then about where she sleeps. My second child was like that. I don't remember when he stopped using the swing to sleep but I do remember being so tired that I didn't care where he slept. That book did wonders for me. It sometimes is a little hard to follow but it is really great.
Chris

Hi N. -

I can completely understand that you are concerned about her needing the swing to sleep and I agree, but I think at this point, it is more important that she get the rest she needs. Otherwise, you will have an overtired baby who may never make the transition! We went through this with my son.

I would try letting her fall asleep in the swing while it is moving. Then, keep slowing it down, until she will sleep in it without motion. After that, try moving her after she falls asleep in the swing and put her in her crib. I would try to make the switch within the first 5-10 minutes after she is asleep. She will get used to waking up in there. After that seems to be working for a bit, try rocking her for a bit and then putting her down. You may have to rock her to sleep for a while, but again, you gradually wean off that too.

I was able to let him cry-it-out. We started trying to encourage my son to fall asleep on his own at about 4 months. It was tough at first, but we were consistent and it paid off. It certainly takes time though! At about 6 months he was on a regular schedule and by 5 months he was falling asleep on his own, in his crib.

As long as colic is the only issue, I think you will have no issues gradually resolving where she sleeps. It will take time and effort, but it will pay off! Just be persistent and one day she will surprise you.

N.,

My son was collicky as well and he slept 8 hours at a couple weeks old in his swing! We went through batteries for that thing very quickly. He slept in that swing quite often for the first couple months. I would still always put him in his crib to start out with and if he wouldn't go back to sleep, he would go into the swing and fall asleep right away. I did this at nap and bed time. Eventually by about 3-4 months old, he was completely out of the swing. And, he has slept 10-12 hours in his crib ever since. Good luck. It goes by faster than you think!

I also had to let my second and third child sleep in their car seat for the first couple of months. I put the car seat in the crib and always made sure they were strapped in. They adjusted fine later on and slept much better. Plus my second son had reflux so it helped that too.

D.

My daughter and both my neices had sheet allergies, put them in the crib and they woke up!

I slept with my daughter on my chest when she was 2 months old. She is now 3 and no longer sleeps on my chest, she moved to her crib, she even moved out of my room! She still comes into my bed almost every night,I have to tell you I love cuddling with her!

I know that time goes by so quickly in our babies lives, remember this to shall pass, I want to make sure she knows 24 hours a day 7 days a week that I am here for her.

Is it the position in the swing that she likes? Have you tried propping up her mattress in the crib with blankets?

I think that ANY way you can get a colicky baby to sleep is one to stick with for a little bit! However, I would be concerned that she would get used to the motion and it would be difficult to 'fix' later. Maybe the swing will work if it is stopped, or maybe the carseat...good luck!

You've gotten alot of good advice already. I just wanted to share that my daughter had to sleep in her carseat for the first 3 mos. due to her excessive spitting up. She transitioned just fine. She is now 7 mos. and can sleep laying flat. This will pass and she will be fine. Good luck.

You may also want to try having her sleep in her car seat. My twins were premature and had reflux, so laying down flat made them fussy. We put them in their infant car seats and rocked them a bit and that did the trick. They slept in them for quite a few months. The dr. didnt' think it would cause them any problems to sleep in the car seat. Once they were bigger, the reflux got better and we started transitioning them to the crib. It took a little bit of work and consistency, but they ended up sleeping in it. So, it might be the colic that is making her have difficulty sleeping flat.

Try a bassinet. My son (now 4) slept in the swing for the first 4 mos, he hated the crib and it was really hard to get him to sleep there after putting him in the swing for so long. My daughter (now 4 mos) sleeps great in the crib...we used a bassinet for the first few months and she loved it then we transitioned her to the crib with no problems.

I had to do the same thing with my little one. I would say to do whatever works for now. We would put our little girl in either her swing or carseat. Those were the only places she would sleep. As they get older it gets better. Occasionally I would try her crib. Hope this helps.

Good morning N.,

How long has she been doing this? Babies go through periods of change also, her habits are going to shift and grow and change at a rapid rate right now as an infant.

If you can shift the way you're thinking about the situation it would free up space for you to search your own creative brilliance for ideas to try!

It may be she doesnt like lying flat in her crib right now, have you tried laying her on the floor to sleep for a while?

Have a brilliant day~
Life Coach J.