7 1/2 Month Refusing to Sleep in His Crib

My daughter used to fight the crib also. SHe now goes in before she's asleep at 9 months old. I found that having a specific stuffed animal for the crib that she associates with sleeping really helped. I also find a routine important. This only includes a bath and then bottle for us. I put her in the crib right after & she usually lays right down. We had many a sleepless night before this because she also had colic. But I think I kept it up for only 2 weeks before she got into the routine on her own. Good luck, I know this can be so tough.

Hi M.,

I am sorry to hear you are having a hard time with your baby boy. How long did you let him cry it out? I have a friend who let her children cry for an hour and 1/2. I would try it again. After a few minutes go in there and tell him you are there and you love him and then leave again. I would NOT take him out of the crib. Do you play music or have a night light on? They have always helped my son.

Good luck,
S.

Dear M.,

As most of the other Mom's here have suggested, crying it out has worked best for mine when it comes to sleep. He's only 5 months and I've only begun implementing it very recently but I'm sure as they get older they fight it more. Each time I've had to do it I always go back in, give him the paci, rub his tummy or hold his hand to let him know Mommy's there and she loves him but he's not getting back up and shortly he'll go on to sleep. Also, once he gets the nap that he needs, he wakes up just a perfect little angel, ready to play. Hope this helps.

This may sound odd, but if it just started since you dropped his crib down (which I'm sure you did to make sure it wouldn't fall for his weight, right?), then could you bring it back up, but place something sturdy underneath it, that will help stabilize it so it can't fall a few 2x4's and some nails, a crate like object that will help hold the underside. This way, you can raise it back up where he liked it. ALSO... at different heights in a room, the temperature, breeze, etc.. are different, that could be a factor also. Best of luck!

We had to condition our son to stay in his crib. He does have a soft blue blanket he likes, and we always put it in his crib when he goes down.

In the beginning, we had to suffer threw long bouts of crying until he learned to self sooth. Now, he understands it's time to go to sleep and never fights his crib.

During the bouts of crying (day and night) we would go into his room about 15 minutes into the crying, pick him up, calm him down a little and put him right back down. Our goal was to let him know that everything is OK, he just needs to be in his crib.

Unless it will be a safety issue raise the crib back up.

My son was tall for his age also, so his crib had to be lowered early, and we've had several issues with bedtime. Turn the lights off and get down eye level with the crib. Check to see if any toys, nightlights or cracks from any windows and doors are shining into his face now that the crib is lower. Around 7 months my son had a huge growth spurt and had to have more formula before bedtime also, even though he was eating lots of food for dinner. A routine works for us now, but then there are always times when he just may not want to sleep. I do let him cry it out, but my heart breaks at the sound. So, I tell myself that I'll only let him cry for 15 minutes and I just check the monitor every 4 or 5 minutes. Rarely does it actually take him longer than that to get to sleep.

A 7 month old cannot refuse to sleep in his crib. You are the parent and if you want him to be in his bed, put him there and let him cry it out. After a couple of rough days he will be used to it and love it. Be tough

Hello M.,

Sounds like you have your hands full, but know that this too shall pass! Your baby loves your company and at this age is too happy to endulge his curiosity by refusing to sleep just in case he misses out on something. I would suggest maybe trying to put him down in his crib when he is getting sleepy, but not asleep. When you put him down for his nap give him a toy or blanket or both to comfort along with his pacifier and tell him it's nap time and you love him. Then leave the room or get out of site and listen for what he does. If he cries wait a few minutes before entering his room and lay him back down (without picking him out of the crib) and walk away. Repeat if need too until he understands that just because he doesn't see you are never too far away. Separation anxiety could also be the culprit here too so don't panic and know that this will not last long. Be patient and know that parenting sometimes involves "process of elimination" and you are doing fine! Don't underestimate what you can do! Good luck to you and keep us posted on what worked for you.

April

You may not like the way it looks, but you could try just putting the crib mattress on the floor, and not even bothering with the crib. It may be easier to put him down gradually without waking him.

That's what I do for my baby for naps, and I can also lie next to him and nurse him for a little while until he falls asleep and then I'd sneak away. When he gets a little older, he'll be able to get up on his own, but that's better than climbing out of the crib and breaking an arm or leg. (I recently saw a 13 month old that broke her arm that way.) Just make sure the room is baby-safe and put a monitor on so you can hear him when he wakes up.

Oh, and make sure there's a rug or carpet underneath, so if he rolls off the mattress, he won't hit cold floor. (Mine has rolled off and not even woken up!)

Good luck.

P.S. One more tip, since you sound like you like to hold him to put him to sleep. My babe liked to fall asleep the same way, but as he got older, it got a little harder each day. It helped me to take him into a dark room and hold a running hairdryer in one hand. The white noise (sometimes) knocked him out within a few minutes and he got into a deeper sleep, so I could put him down easier.

Honestly, you'll just have to stick it out and let the baby fuss. This is where the saying comes in about picking your battles. Stick to the routine you have normally done for naps and bed time and eventually the baby will realize this isn't a battle he is going to win. And yes, babies at this age are learning about cause and effect-I cry, mommy comes and gets me. I'm quiet, no one is there.

Also, if you really think the crib is the problem, raise it back up where it was if there is no danger to the child.

Good luck!
S.

My daughter did this when we lowered her crib. I think they feel like they are falling. I dont have a good solution. Unlike the others I didn't CIO. We would just keep rocking until we finally got her to lay down without screaming. They are so little for such a short period of time anyway. Even though it feels like a LONG time sometimes before we know it they won't let us rock them. I eventually changed her to a big girl bed and she sleeps better than ever. Good luck with it and hang in there. If you haven't seen any evidence of him climbing or trying to get out I would raise it for as long as you can!

Hi M.,
Sorry to hear you are all losing sleep. We have always coslept with my 21 month old son, and plan to do so again with our second due this summer. I know cosleeping is not for everyone, but my family has had great success with it. My son feels nurtured and secure and we all enjoy the snuggling. I always encourage families to at least look into it if they are having sleep troubles with baby in a separate room. Good luck to you!

I know what your going through my oldest did the same thing. All I did was tough it out during the day I would put her down and let her cry it out. To keep from going crazy I would go outside and get yard work done. I would check on her every 10 min. It was really hard at first but within a week she would go to sleep without a fight. It is worth a shot.