Mom Needs Advice on Getting 9 Week Old in Crib & Out of Arms!!!

I dunno... I do understand about wanting your bed to yourselves (I have struggled with this too!) but little babies are only little for such a short time, and at 9 weeks they do not know and cannot learn how to self-soothe. That milestone comes around 4 months old. Your baby will only be so small for such a short time -- and if everyone's sleeping better with him next to you, I say go with it.

if you're all NOT sleeping, then help him transition by adding something to the sleeping arrangement that will stay the same in the bassinet/crib. ie a swaddling blanket. Also, start laying down with him awake and be there until he falls asleep, so that he practices falling asleep laying down rather than in your arms.

hang in there!
T.

It sounds like he doesn't like to sleep on his won vs. you being afradi to let him sleep on his own.

He still is very small, and he was separated from you with teh operation. Maybe he needs to go thru a period still of bonding with you, and of getting used to his environment to feel safe enough to sleep on his own and be on his own. I can't remember the milestone ages, Toni said one, but it's true, they do get to certain points where they can handle things better.

My 2 suggestions (1) wear him in a sling, this gives them security. My son lived in his for the first 6 months.
(2) Try a cosleeper by your bed or a basinette. My son slept in a basinette next to my bed and when he woke (well I nursed him) but you can reach down and put your hand on him. You can also move him from bed to basinette easily once they fall asleep.

This may be something you need to learn alot of new strategies with. And keep learning and changing with him. He has gone through some trauma and is still adjusting to life, so IMO crying it out isn't the solution to reach for. He is not there yet, if he were older I understand parents reach that point (and often it is their last solution), but I think you need to get to understand your baby first before saying "that's it, he just has to cry it out and learn."

Best of luck!

I don't know what kind of monitor you have but angelcare makes monitors that have a pad that goes under the bed. An alarm sounds on the monitor is the child does not take a breath for 20 seconds. It helps me sleep better at night knowing that he's ok. I know this doesn't help the problem of getting he into the crib but it might give you peace of mind once he is there.

hi S.,
I understand what you are going through. My little one was home for 7 days then in the NICU for 8 days. When she came home I wouldn't even think twice about putting her in her crib. I was hounded by co-workers and family that if I didn't break her of it, she will be sleeping with us until she is 9. Yeah right I told them. I did let her sleep with me in our bed until 8 weeks, then I tried putting her in her bassinet (located in our room). She cried for 5 mins and I picked her up, she fell asleep I put her back in the bassinet. She would wake again, I'd let her cry for 10 mins. so on on so forth. When it got to 15 I gave up and let her sleep with us. When I laid her in our bed she was smiling. At this point I knew she was taking advantage of me! The very next night I tried again, put her back in the bassinet, talked to her for a while, rubbing her tummy telling her to go to sleep and I will see her in the morning and loaded her with kisses. It worked she slept for 3-4 hours. Now 3 weeks later she finally sleeps, and for 8 hours. In about a week and half we'll make the change to the crib in another room.(she'll be 3mo.)It is hard breaking them from sleeping with us. If you keep telling yourself 9 years hopefully with a little faith and holding back your boy will find his way to self soothe. I wouldn't let him cry longer than 15-20 mins. before picking him up again but please keep trying! Best of luck to you and glad to hear you little one is okay.

A.