Looking for suggestions to get daughter back in crib, but NOT the cry it out method!

Sathya - posted on 04/03/2010

Hi Nikki,
I am kind of in the same position. My little guy used to sleep through the night in his crib about 5-6 months of age. Every time he fell ill, he would go back to sleeping with us half way through the night. The only thing I always do - even these days if he wakes up at night, is sing to him. We still have his crib in our bedroom. Just waiting till he can comfortably sleep through the night before moving him to his room. I used to tap his bottom before, then my pediatrician warned me that he would become attached to my touch and possibly make it harder for us to move him to his room. So, these days, I dont get out of my bed, and tap him. I just sing his lullaby to him and soothe and shush him. That works one good days when he's not sick, but when he's sick, its typically back to bringing him to our bed, because he just won't stop crying!! It is interesting to know that I am not the only one in this position. Hang in there. I am told this too shall pass...

Nicole - posted on 04/02/2010

ive had similiar experiences..my daughter was a great sleeper until about 6 months, i gave in and let her sleep in the bed with us but after a while it gets real uncomfortable. i went to friends house one night and they had the side of the crib taken off and pushed right next to the bed....we tryed it and it has worked for us. she trys every once in awhile to get back in our bed, but most of the time she sleeps in there without waking up every couple hours crying. she has slept through the night more often than not..she just needs to feel like shes close to me and it works!!

Erin - posted on 04/02/2010

I actually got my daughter to sleep in her own room and all through the night by taking apart the crib and having the mattress on the floor. This has benefits for both of us. 1) She doesn't feel like she's trapped, 2) she can get up and play in the middle of the night if need be without waking me, and 3) it prepares her for a toddler bed. It also works because if she's having a rough night, I can lay next her until she falls asleep. Maybe this would work for you.

Katherine - posted on 04/01/2010

Oh my gosh. You sound like you are describing my situation. My son used to sleep in his crib, went through separation anxiety at around 8 months and would wake up every 1/2 hour to 2 hours until I got desperate and brought him into my bed. He was getting comfortable with his crib again at around 11 months (just tried it and it worked) but at 12 month he was hospitalized for the flu as well. Now he will not sleep in his crib. I wasn't too comfortable with cry-it-out but I tried it anyway and he too cries so hard he throws up to. He fights sleep so much I think he would cry forever. What I have done is put a playpen in my room and he will sleep there because I am right beside him. He will sleep in there all night which is great because he isn't kicking me and rolling around keeping me and my husband up. I hope to figure this out and have him in his crib again soon but at least we are all sleeping. I will be reading the responses you get and I just wanted you to know you are not alone!