The Family Bed Advise...

I had a family bed with my first son, and started to transition him when he was 7 months old. At that time, he was moving around too much for our comfort. I started by doing a bedtime/naptime routine where he slept in his crib until he woke up the first time at night. Then I often brought him into bed with us. At about 10 months to one year, we started to work on his sleeping through the night by having my husband go to him and soothe him back to sleep by sleeping next to him on a mattress. He has now been in his own bed and room since 15 months.

With my second, we had a partial family bed. My daughter slept next to us or with us until we went to sleep and she woke up the first time. Then I brought her into bed with us. Unfortunately, my son jumps into bed with us in the morning and I am afraid he will injure my daughter, so we are transitioning her to a crib sooner. We are starting at 4 months - and I do miss her, so I still bring her in for part of the night and try to get her back into her crib before my son wakes up. Ultimately you have to do what is best for you.

Congrats new mommy! Isn't it all amazing... especially watching them sleep!!!!

I'm just barging in. We had our gal sleep in a bassinet in our room for 3 months(or was it 4), then to a crib in her own room. I too was very sad when we transitioned her, don't know if there is a way around that depression! (Now I understand the moms that cry when their kids go to kindergarden!) We did a few naps in the crib before having her sleep there overnight. It is much harder for us than for our baby... she couldn't care less!

I would advise having her fall asleep there, as she'll be more comfortable waking up where she fell asleep, versus getting up in a strange spot alone!

Good luck!

Hi,
I had the same issue. I decided to put the crib next to my bed. My daughter was in our bed, at some point, every night. I liked it very much and it was just this Christmas when she (3.5 years old) got her big girl bed from Santa. I has hoping, just a bit, that she would still want to sleep next to me. The reality was that she was ready and she sleeps by herself every night. Since Christmas, she has had one nightmare and I ran to her side. I was so pathetic, I thought... good, she will sleep next to me tonight! The next morning, she woke up and yelled at me saying that she was a big girl and why didn't she wake up in her own princess bed. Curse you Santa!!! :) My daughter wants to be by herself and I make myself feel better by reminding myself that I always want what is best for her, even if it is not best for me. Good luck Momma!

HI E.,
We have family bed and have with our now almost 6yr old who sleeps in his own room now and our daughter who is 19m and still with us. We let the kids deside when they are ready for there own bed. It worked for our son...
Happy sleeping:)
R.

E.,
I was originally planning on putting my now 17 month old into the crib when he was 6 months old. Well, it never happened because he was truly only happy (and sleeping well) when he went to sleep with me. I've never looked back! He goes to sleep fine in the bed whenever we have a babysitter at night and he is much more calm and independent than my 3.5 yr old who slept in the crib. Good luck whatever you decide to do. Please keep in mind that your baby is still very young and being close to you at such a vulnerable time is not a bad thing. All the best.