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Back to the Crib

Transitioning from a Co-sleeping Environment Back to the Crib or Bed

By Lisa A. Goldstein

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When Penny Rosenzweig transitioned her son from co-sleeping to his own bed, it was a difficult process. They put a mattress on the floor of his room, but she ended up sleeping next to him until he was used to being in his own room. It often took her 45 minutes to an hour to get him to sleep before she could leave.

Eventually, Rosenzweig's husband, Joel, started reading to him in his bed, gave him milk in a bottle and then rubbed his back to get him to sleep. After a few rough nights like this, Noah became used to the new routine and was able to fall asleep without his mom. But then he wanted to come downstairs to be with his parents.

Getting him to stay in his room required lots of time, patience and creativity. The Marlborough, Mass., resident intentionally did things differently with her second child to avoid the problems she had with her son. When her sleep stretches were longer, Rosenzweig put her to sleep in her crib in her own room, and then brought her into bed with her when she woke up. She also put her in her crib when she was still awake so she'd learn to fall asleep without nursing.

What else can parents do to transition their child from a co-sleeping environment to a crib or bed? Read on for tips and guidance to navigate this milestone.

Be Sure About Your Decision

"It helps to sort through your feelings first and be sure that this is what you want to do, since ambivalence can defeat any plan that you put into action," says Elizabeth Pantley, parenting expert and author of The No-Cry Sleep Solution (McGraw-Hill, 2002). "If you feel good about this change, if you feel that the time is right, then you will convey your confidence to your child through your words and actions."


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