Any ideas on how to get my 7 month old out of my bed?

Rebecca - posted on 11/06/2008

You need to be consistent, i had my children out of our room at 2 months of age and into their own room, they slept better and so did I. children know how to play a parent even at 7 months just stick with it and you can do it.

Sally - posted on 11/06/2008

My little guy would sleep nowhere else but glued to my side for the first 5 months of his life. We then transferred him to a co-sleeping crib right next to the bed and he took to it very well and that is how we slept for 4 more months, with him sidecarred next to my side of the bed. Would something like that work?

Cj - posted on 11/06/2008

I just put mine in her own crib. It's hard to hear them cry I know, but if you know that everything is OK, like he is fed, his diaper is clean, the temp is OK etc, then he really is fine.

JeffandKatherine - posted on 11/06/2008

I had the same problem with my baby boy now 9 mo. I started with putting him in his crib for his naps. After a week I started putting him in his crib at night too. It was really hard, he will cry but you need to let him cry it out. I asked my pediatrician for advice and she said to nurse him till he is just about to go to sleep, lay him down then so he knows he is in his crib. She said to let him cry 30 min and then go in and check on him pat him tell him you love him and then leave if he is okay and continue to let him cry to sleep. He needs to learn how to self soothe. Hope this helps! :o)

Mandy - posted on 11/06/2008

I used the put the baby in the crib and comfort every 5, 10 and so on minutes, but if that is hard for you, I've also read that moving them out in stages is helpful. Put the baby to bed in the playpen/cradle beside your bed and gradually move him out the door into his room. This takes a while, but it's supposed to help mommy anxiety as well as baby! : ) Good luck!! (and enjoy getting your bed back!!) ; )

Tricia - posted on 11/06/2008

This is going to be tough but,,,, put him in his own crib,,, dry and fed (do NOT nurse in your bed) and let him cry. Walk out of room,,, wait about 5 minutes,, then go back in and DO NOT PICK HIM UP or TALK TO HIM. Just lay him back down,,, rub his back,,, shhhhh,,,, and walk back out. Stretch out the time you go back in to reassure him,,, he's ok and your still there. The crying will be hard to take but,,, as long as you know he's ok,,,, safe and just screaming for you to pick up, let him cry. This may sound mean but it's not. They are SMART little buggers even at this age and know that Mom will not be able to resist my cries. Eventually he will fall asleep. The next time,,, the crying will be less,,, guaranteed! The key is to NOT put back into bed with you for any reason. Nurse him in a rocker or couch,,,, dark,,, and lay down in crib. He may scream at first,,, but kiss,,, rub and walk away. He really is ok! Check every 10-15 minutes,,, don't talk! Then walk out. Each episode will get shorter and shorter until he realizes,,, your not going to give in,,, and he won't win. Honestly,,, even at this young age,,, they do know what works! Crying has worked. You just have to reverse who's boss. Both of my boys, now ages 16 & 12 yrs,, slept in own crib,,, and thru the night at 8 weeks! Good luck! Signed,,,, Been there,,, resolved that!

Lexann - posted on 11/06/2008

I put both of mine in their cribs from day 1, and that was no problem for my first, he was a self-soother (thumb-sucker), and always has slept well. But my second took no lovey or pacifier or thumb or whatever. He was not a self soother, and always had trouble going to sleep without me. I'd have to rock him to sleep after nursing and make sure he was sound asleep before laying him down, or he wouldn't sleep in his crib. When he was weaned from the breast, I had to go through about 2 weeks of him "crying it out", every time I put him to bed. That was agony for me!! It goes against my Mommy nature. But it did work, and we got through it. He's a great sleeper now. Even my mom is amazed at how easy my boys will go to bed.
I will mention that my 2nd had reflux that wasn't diagnosed until he was a few months old, so that contributed to the reason he wouldn't stay asleep when I laid him down. I thought it was crib anxiety, but it was the position: laying him flat on his back caused his reflux. If your little one is just miserable in his crib even after he has fallen asleep, it might be more than just anxiety.

Kate - posted on 11/06/2008

When they're that young you should go to them if they are still crying after a few minutes to comfort them. But you comfort them and then put them BACK in their own bed. It will get easier with time. Maybe you should think about not letting any future children sleep with you? It is really not necessary and it is dangerous to your baby! You're only footsteps away if he needs you - I can see by your earlier comment that you pay close attention to the sound of your baby's cries. You seem to know when he really needs you and when he's just "makin' noise". Good luck!!

Jana - posted on 11/06/2008

OH BOY! I'll try it! Thanks for the help

Ruby - posted on 11/06/2008

sometimes that gets better. My first... I couldn't let him cry at all. Second... that worked like a charm and he is still my best sleeper. But my last... wooo boy! He will scream for hours (no joke) b/c he just will not lay down. Poor kid can sleep standing up and STILL crying! So, I agree with Leslie that you should try it (every Mom does at some point!) but if it doesn't work for you, then keep trying until you find something that does help. The other methods don't work as quickly though.

Jana - posted on 11/06/2008

I've tried putting him in his crib but I never heard a cry like that! It scared me and I think he was scared when he woke up!

Leslie - posted on 11/06/2008

Mine started biting me at 7 months ols.. so I had to stop feeding. As much as it will hurt you to do this, you just have to put the baby in their own room and if they cry you can not go pick them up. If you do they know that is rthey cry you will come get them. It will not take long for them to understand that they have to sleep in their room. Give them a favorite toy etc to help comfort them. It worked for my kids.

Ruby - posted on 11/06/2008

LOL I have 4 boys. Went through that a couple times... not fun! I read some book... (sorry, no good with the names) which basically said to wean him from your bed in stages. First teach him to fall asleep without nursing. then the next step is realizing YOU are his "attachment object" and trying to transition him to something else. Really you just have to over-analyze your whole process and break it into steps, then gradually change each of those steps. Long process. Not sure if that will help you, but it is something to consider!

Jana - posted on 11/06/2008

Yes I am breastfeeding. He just cut his first tooth and is starting to bite so his breastfeeding days are numbered!!

Ruby - posted on 11/06/2008

Are you breastfeeding him? Mine never got out of my bed until I weaned them... The last one was 17 months old! yikes...