Your
baby needs plenty of safe, healthy sleep to grow, and the safest place for them
to sleep is in a crib.
IN THIS ARTICLE:
Here
we'll answer common crib-related questions, including “How do I get my baby to
sleep in a crib?” “How do I make sure my baby's crib is safe?” “How long can my
baby stay in their crib?” and “How do I get my baby to associate the crib with bedtime?”
If
you have more questions about how to help your baby love sleeping in their
crib, we have more articles here on the blog AND you can download the
Smart
Sleep Coach by Pampers™
app. It's packed full of pro-tips to help you teach your baby healthy sleep
habits that will help your baby, and you, enjoy more sleep.
How Do I Make Sure My Baby's Crib is
Safe?
While
cribs are the safest place for your baby to sleep at night or during naptime,
a bassinet or portable crib or pack and play are also secure and more portable.
That said, many babies outgrow bassinets in the first month or two.
Whichever you have, here are basics
for crib safety:
Keep It Firm:
Babies should sleep on a firm mattress with a tight
fitted sheet. Avoid using additional sheets as blankets or to cover them - if
you are no longer swaddling, then opt for a sleep sack for optimal safety.
Keep It Clear:
Again, your baby should not have any additional sheets in their crib, but
remember to also keep it clear of pillows, blankies, stuffed animals, or
anything other than a pacifier if they use one. Stuffed or soft accessories can
lead to suffocation and have been associated with Sudden
Infant Death Syndrome.
Keep It Close:
This may not be an option, but, if possible, keep the crib in your room for
your baby's first six months. This reduces the risk of SIDS by up to 50
percent. Also, it makes checking on them at night easier and faster.
Keep Your Baby On
Their Back:
Another way to reduce SIDS is always put
your baby down on their back to sleep, for their first year. It’s common for
babies to start rolling onto their side or stomach around 2 months. If this
happens, gently roll them back over onto their back until they're able to roll
over both from front to back and back to front.
Can Newborns Sleep in a Crib?
Yes. Your baby can start sleeping in a crib on their first night home.
When Should I First Use a Crib?
You
can use a crib as soon as your baby's born, though you can also use a bassinet
in those first weeks, which many parents or caretakers prefer because they’re
more portable and often easier to keep close. But be advised: your baby will
grow fast and may outgrow a bassinet relatively quickly. Using a crib from day
one will help teach your baby that's where they sleep and rest. Plus, it saves
a little money!
How Do I Help My Baby Associate the
Crib with Sleep?
1. Set the scene: make their room dark, ensure the room
temperature is between 68-72° F, and invest in a sound machine. For more on
setting up your baby’s sleep space,
read
our sleep training checklist
.
2. Make sure your baby is wearing a fresh, clean diaper.
Many things can disrupt your baby’s sleep, the last thing you want it to be is
their diaper.
3. Put your baby down when they're drowsy, but awake. Try
to avoid putting them down in their crib when they are already asleep. This
helps them associate the crib with sleep. If you hold them until they fall
asleep, they’ll learn to rely on you to put them to sleep.
4.
Create
a bedtime routine
.
We discuss this more fully here, but a bedtime
routine helps calm your baby while also cueing
them that it's time to sleep. A bedtime
routine can include:
- PJs
- Fresh Diaper
- A snuggle
- Reading a story
- Singing a song
Whatever
you do during this bedtime routine,
keep the energy calm and soothing – and keep the steps consistent in the same
order. This will help cue
your baby that it is time for sleep.
The
Smart
Sleep Coach by Pampers
app has a mini-course dedicated to creating the ultimate bedtime
routine. Plus, it will remind you when to start bedtime
each night, which helps prevent your baby from becoming overtired.
How can I let my baby sleep in the
crib?
Routine
and consistency are the key ingredients to teaching your baby how to accept a
crib or any other aspect of creating a habit. If you want your baby to
sleep in their crib, you can gently coach them to do so by introducing it for naps
and nighttime sleep.
When Should I Stop Using a Crib?
The
rule of thumb is your baby can use their crib until they're three feet tall,
though different crib manufacturers have different guidelines. Always read your
owner's manual for the most accurate advice for your crib. Also, to keep your
baby safe as they grow, lower the mattress in the crib from time to time to
prevent them from climbing out in “great escapes,” and potential injuries.
Pediatric
Sleep Consultant, Mandy Treeby,
recommends keeping your baby in their crib for as long as possible. “A mistake
many parents make is transitioning them out of the crib too
soon, I usually recommend keeping them there until around the age of 3 or 4
when they are better able to comprehend the transition to a big kid bed.”
If
you're moving your baby from their crib to make room for a newborn, switch to a
new bed or toddler bed about six-to-eight weeks before the new baby arrives.
This will help the older baby adjust before they take on their new role as
older sibling!
For
step
by step guidance on all things sleep,
from putting your baby down in their crib to nap transitions to sleep tracking,
download the
Smart
Sleep Coach by Pampers
App
.
We created this app specifically to guide you through the ups and downs of
healthy sleep as your baby grows and develops. If nothing else, take this FREE sleep
assessment and get a
personalized plan for your baby.