When to Move Baby to Crib

A.,
First, let me say, every situation is completely different; and it is ultimately your decision as to whether you are all ready for the move or not. I kept our daughter in our room until she was 3 months, and our son until he was 5 months for different reasons. I went back to work with our daughter and needed my sleep. Our son was moving into the nursery and we had to wait to move our daughter out of it until after company came for the holidays, so he got to stay a little longer in our room in the pack and play; plus I was not going back to work and was nursing him still.

It will be hard the first couple of nights that you have her in the nursery due to the separation. But you can help ease your anxiety by setting up a baby monitor since you are on different levels so that you can hear her if she needs you. Just a word of caution...she will still make noises through the night like she already does and that might still wake you up with the monitor. Even though she is sleeping through the night in the pack and play, she may have a couple of rough nights in the crib until she gets used to it. Day nap times might be a good time to get her used to it, as suggested by another Mama.

Do what your heart tells you!! As long as you are sleeping, and she is sleeping what is it hurting to have her in your room? If you don't feel good about it, don't move her. 4 months is still little, and it may be easier to quickly soothe her back to sleep if she wakes up when she is next to you rather than to have to trek upstairs. You'll know when it's time to move her. It's not a magic number of months, its just what works for your family. Blessings. J.

Hi A.,
Like you, we also had our baby sleeping in a bassinet in our bedroom when she was a newborn. As you know the advantages of having your little one close by are endless!

Our daughter is now almost 10-months and we moved her to her crib in her room when she was about 3 1/2 months old. We felt it was time before she began to get too attached to seeing us and also because she was quickly outgrowing the length of the bassinet. Good luck.

A., my younger children all had a hard time sleeping away from me. For some reason, they had to "smell" me. My youngest was by far the more difficult, and didn't sleep in his own bed until he was 6 months old. It was difficult, both to have him in the room with us for that long, and difficult for me to let him go, as he is my baby. What I found that helped is a combination of things. One, I found a reliable baby monitor. That way I could hear him when he needed me. You can actually hear them breathing on the better ones! And the other was one of those teddy bears that has the sound of a mother's heartbeat inter-uterine? It sounds like a heartbeat through water, and the baby is comforted by it. It makes them feel Mom is nearby, so they sleep longer and more calmly. I actually still have a monitor in my house for my 16 yo daughter who has Epilepsy...Even though she's been seizure free for almost a yar, I want to hear her if she has a seizure, and get there fast. So don't feel bad if you use the monitor for your comfort for a long time afterwards. I wouldn't blame you. Good luck with the trasition. Hugs, Kat

I usually moved my kids into their cribs and room at 2-3 months...if you are super worried and a standard baby monitor will not do, I know someone who has a monitor with a video camera, so you can always see your child, I do not know how much they cost, but I am sure you can get them at Babies-R-Us.

I moved my first at 10 weeks, it was hard but she adjusted fine, I was the one up all night checking on her ( even with a monitor). I now have a 7 week old son that sleeps next to me in a pack in play. My husband just asked yesterday when we would be making the transition. I think it will be around 10 -12 weeks again. Usually the child does fine, it is always the parent that is anxious. My advise is just to do it or you'll keep putting it off....she is old enough and a big plus that she is sleeping through the night.

Good luck!

Hi A.
I agree that the older they are the harder it is for them to make the transition. We moved our little boy around 4 months. We have a video monitor so I can see him sleeping all night. That really helps and lets me know that he is ok. Otherwise I would have been up and down the stairs all night! but it is what makes you comfortable and don't force anything you aren't ready to do.
A.

The longer you keep her, the harder it is. I would try having her sleep in the crib during the day, and moving her to nights. It will be harder for her to be in her own room the longer you have her in yours. She would be in her crib now. Believe me, it is hard, I know, but you may regret not having your room in a few months, she will always cry for you at night. I went through this, and I wouldn't sleep.

my floor plan is the same. I still have my son in our room in a pack and play at 8months. (he doesn't sleep through the night)I agree, it's far away. It's funny how something appeals when you buy a house (oh yeah kids and all their stuff is upstairs and no one will see it) then all the sudden you hate it. UGH! But, I can't wait until he sleep through the night - I will move him for sure. I think you will be fine since yours sleeps good.

It is until you are comfortable. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise. You could slowly move her out of your room (into the family room, etc) until you are comfortable with her upstairs. I waited awhile longer then most due to my sons sleep apnea. Each child is different. Trust your gut.

I moved our son to his crib at 6 weeks. He was starting to sleep longer at this point and luckily our room is next door to the nursery. The longer you leave your baby in your room, the harder it will be to transition to their room. Start now! Good luck!

No worries A.! I coslept with my first and kept my 2nd and 3rd little ones in the pack and play in my room for close to a year and we are on the same floor! I think it's ok to be a little protective of your little ones, especially your first one! I still miss hearing them breathe at night and insist on having my baby monitor up all the way, even if they are only two doors down! They will eventually get used to a crib...wait until you are ready. Best of luck!
Jen
Gilbert mommy of 3!