Moving to a Crib/bed

Are you trying to put her in the crib at night or during the day? I'd transition to crib for naptime first; you may have to put her in asleep the first couple of times. Then when she's gotten comfortable with sleeping in the crib during the day, start putting her in at night.

You also need to create positive associations with the crib that overwhelm her negative association with crib/sleeping alone. a little playtime in the crib with a favorite toy, etc. maybe get your other kids to join in and keep her happy and entertained for a few minutes in the crib at a time. though I think people say that the crib should be mostly for sleeping and quiet time, I think it's OK to play a bit as well. Some babies at this age also really respond to those crib toys (Fisher Price Aquarium, for example) that play music and have soothing lights and scenes.

Good luck!

My 9 week old is sleeping through the night (9hrs right now) - thanks to D. Erhlers 3 day sleep solution. Go to www.3daysleep.com and get her video. It's quick to watch and cheap AND she guarantees it will work or you get your $$ back.
Good luck!!

I've heard (haven't tried or used) this method . . .

1. Move crib into your room and start putting her there. She can still hear, see and touch you. Then, day-by-day move the crib further away from the bed until it is outside the room and eventually in her own room.

or (this one we used and it worked for us, but was hard)

2. Put her to sleep in her own crib, in her room and sit right next to her until she falls asleep. No talking or touching or looking at her, just be there. Again, slowly move out of the room until you can just place her in the crib and leave. Good Luck.

I highly recommend the "Secrets of the Baby Whisperer" book. She suggests ways to help them transition to a crib that are respectful of the child. It's not always an overnight fix, but if you are patient and consistent, your child will be no worse for the wear.

She is going to scream, cry, fuss and protest because infants/toddlers/kids do not function through change like adults do. We have the ability to process the action and find ways to deal with it...productive or otherwise. Your little girl needs time to transition away from her comfort zone and into a world that is independent of Mom and Dad.

I'm a co-sleeper and thought about making the transition, but my son and I are happy with it and it works for us.

In an earlier post someone had posted a link I can't find now, but it was great advice. No matter what you choose to do be consistent. But, don't begin with letting her CIO and fend for herself...it will be confusing and frustrating and will most definitely create a sense of abandonment than independence.

I like the idea of the crib in the room, but my friend began with something where she stayed in the room with her little boy until he was able to be soothed asleep and sleep in his own bed. I wouldn't abandon your regular routine, but just introduce the new sleep space. Begin with nap, and add more time and maybe even let her hang out in the crib for short periods of time to get familiar with it. Try not to put expectations on either of you...that can be counter-productive and frustrating.

It could take a couple of weeks or it could take months...just prepare yourself to take it slow and give her the time she needs to get used to her new space.

While, I've never actually transitioned from co-sleeping to crib I think a lot of the same philosophies used for the toddler bed apply and can be used...at least I think.

Good Luck!

At 13 months, she may be too young for her own bed. Put her in the crib and as hard as it is, let her cry. It usually takes about 2 weeks total for the old habit to break. You can put a mirror on the wall so you can check on her without her seeing you. I did this with my third child and while the 2 weeks were very hard on me, it was well worth it. A one year old baby should not be calling the shots.
Good luck!

All I have to say, is that this could be a long process.
If you want her in her crib to sleep, then that's where you put her when she sleeps. Period. You will go through the same thing you are going through now, just be consistant and DON'T take her out. Yes, check on her for a second, but then walk out. I had to go through this with my baby. But, with my situation, I was doing it every few weeks because I would visit my sister for a few days, and that just threw my daughter off completely (I would bring her in my bed if she woke up and started crying. I just didn't want to wake up the whole family)So, when I got home, she would cry to come sleep with me. I never gave in and now, she adjusts nicely when we come home. She knows that she is just not getting in mommies bed when we are at home. (she has cried in her crib for longer then an hour many times, it's such a power struggle...but, mommy wins again!)
The faster you get through the process, the faster you will get your bed back. I can't stress this enough....once you have made a decision, don't back down.
I have TON'S of expierence in this department!!!!!!! Trust me! Good luck!

hi there!! small children, as someone mentioned above can't process like adults, so i think doing it very slowly and sensitively and respectfully. She is also very attached, which is great! healthy & normal, you are her attachment figure - central to her world - it is very difficult to transition from you at this early age. It is only a power struggle, if the adult/parent makes it one - this is not a healthy or helpful, nor caring attitude to your child who depends on you. The child who sleeps with their mother at the sister's house purely enjoys the comfort and care this provides and communicates to her - absolutely nothing to do with her wanting power over you - babies where designed to be close to their mothers (caregiveivers) and have slept with them since the beginning of time and still do in many cultures - we have made a normal thing, a strange thing to avoid, even taboo and shameful. I co-sleep with my daughter just fine, she loves being close to me and vis-versa.
A child operates with only their right brain, unconscious brain until 2 1/2 - 3 years old & their relationships with caregivers/attachment figures are central to their healthy brain development such as right-left brain communication and how they make sense of their social surroundings - affective neuroscience has done a lot of research on this. I recommend Dr Sears " nightime parenting" book and "attachment parenting book" also. For info on affective neuroscience just google it with the name, Seigel, who has done much of this research. Also recommend " Parenting from the inside out" by him too!
Additionally, letting a child cry it out increases their blood pressure, raises stress hormone levels - not good for them on many levels.good luck & remember you being their for your small child now has great benefits for their brain, social development, IQ, and contrary to popular belief the attached child is also more independent and secure later in life because they had a secure base - which you have the joy, if not struggle at times, to provide for them!

I was told by a doctor to leave love them and hug them and ask them to lie down, then walk out for 3 minutes and walk back in and provide comfort.

After a few days, expand the time to 4 or 5 minutes. It let's them know you are there for them if they need you and everything will be okay.

However, any route you take will be difficult and is going to break your heart!