How do I get my 3-mo. old to go to sleep in the crib?

Every night, after her bath & feeding, when she's getting sleepy, we put her to bed. Still awake, but sleepy. If we put her in the swing, she falls asleep in 1-2 minutes. About half the time she sleeps until the next morning, the other half she wakes up for a feeding & then goes right back down. So naturally, we became addicted to the swing for sleep. Nighttime & naps.

When we try to put her in the crib, she screams her head off. She's been screaming for forty minutes tonight. We've gone in a few times, put her paci in & rub her belly and she stops, then starts screaming again. I don't want to pick her up. I really want her to go down in her crib.

How do I do this??? She simply does not go to sleep in her crib. She just screams. Do I just stick with the swing forever?? Help!

Re: How do I get my 3-mo. old to go to sleep in the crib?

We had the same situation. We gave it a little more time. We kept trying the crib every couple of days. Eventually, he took to the crib and sleeps all night from 7:30 - 7AM. However, we still can't get him to nap in his crib, only the swing. I would give it a little more time. I was more concerned with Ryan sleeping than where he was sleeping at 3 months.

Good luck!

Re: How do I get my 3-mo. old to go to sleep in the crib?

We had the same problem. Finally at 5 months the ped said it was becoming a habit and it wasnt good for her spine( okay?)& to get her in that crib. So we started with naps and we had to let her CIO a bit but she did get the hang of it finally, it took 3 days like everyone said it would.. 3 months is a little young to be really worried but not too young to start with the naps at first then slowly go into the nights..

Re: How do I get my 3-mo. old to go to sleep in the crib?

If she is screaming for 40 minutes or even 15 minutes would probably get to me, I'd probably say it's just not time yet.

Does she sleep in anything else like the bouncer or carseat? I know some people have put their babies in the bouncer/car seat and then put that in the crib to get them used to it...and then slowly transitioned...

For the transition .... I know to start with naps then move towards nights usually helps.

Also make sure it is comfortable for her. Does she need a sleep positioner or blankets around her to keep her feeling snug? A swaddle me or miracle blanket? Does she have a lovie or dolie? My daughter loved her dollie even at a young age.

Does the mobile sooth her or keep her awake?

Soft music in the background or water sounds/white noise?

Just some suggestions...but it really might just be a little more time that you need.

Re: How do I get my 3-mo. old to go to sleep in the crib?

thanks so much for the advice.

well, after crying for an hour (we went in a few times to calm her down), I gave in. Picked her up & rocked her in the glider and she feel asleep in my arms. Transferred her to the crib, and it worked!!! She slept until around 4, woke up for a feeding, and then back into the crib until 7:30 am!!

Now I know this isn't a permanent thing, but I'll take it!

We'll try again for this morning's nap & see how it goes. If she fusses for too long, I'll let her sleep in the swing. I don't want her to miss her entire nap window just so I can get her into the crib. We'll try a little bit each day.

Re: How do I get my 3-mo. old to go to sleep in the crib?

I agree with everyone else to keep trying...slowly but surely it will happen...I think letting a 3 month old cry for an hour is a little much though, they are still a little young for CIO.

Re: How do I get my 3-mo. old to go to sleep in the crib?