Deciding to transition your baby from co-sleeping to sleeping independently in their crib can be a tough task for parents. Most families don’t set out planning on co-sleeping, it typically happens out of necessity. Between the crying, multiple nighttime feedings, and wakes, it seems almost more convenient to have your baby sleep with you in your bed to get through those sleepless nights.
However, the American Academy of Pediatrics strongly discourages co-sleeping due to the risk of SIDS (sudden infant death syndrome). They do, however, recommend room sharing or having your baby sleep in a safe sleep space in your room. The safest place for your baby to sleep is a flat, firm surface. With nothing else around them (no blankets, pillows, bumpers, lovies, etc).
Your baby (and you!!) have gotten used to bed sharing and often find comfort in the closeness of co-sleeping. It’s a hard decision to make. But usually, it’s made because either one or both of you are sleep deprived. Luckily, it is possible to change this habit and help teach your baby to sleep independently so that you can reclaim your bed! It will take a bit of time, effort, and consistency to get your baby to sleep in a new environment- but it can be done. If you are ready to transition from co-sleeping to independent sleep, take a read through this gradual approach!
How to Transition Baby from Co-Sleeping to Crib
Tip #1: Build a Consistent Bedtime Sleep Routine
A reliable bedtime routine signals to your baby that it’s time for rest. Consistency is one of the strongest predictors of success when transitioning to crib sleep. This is also a HUGE for helping babies sleep through the night. I have an entire post dedicated to bedtime routines and why they are important. When transitioning your baby from co-sleeping to their crib, starting with a consistent bedtime routine to cue them that it’s time for bed is the first step towards a good night’s sleep in their crib. There are lots of baby sleep products to help your little one sleep through the night!
Tip #2: Start the Crib Transition During Naps
Naptime is a low-pressure opportunity for you baby to get comfortable with their crib during brief sleep periods. Naps are a great starting point because you’re not being woken up from your sleep to tend to your baby’s needs. Naptime is also a great time to start the transition, allowing your baby to get used to their new surroundings in shorter stretches while you’re already awake.
Tip #3: Use Familiar Comforts in the Crib
Help your baby feel secure by using familiar smells and sounds (like a white machine or a sleep sack that smells like you). Spending a few minutes of awake time playing or connecting near the crib can create positive associations before sleep. Give multiples opportunities and multiple times to feel comfortable in their new setting.
Tip #4: Gradually Transition to Sleep Space
If you have the space, moving your baby’s crib into your room is a great way to stop co-sleeping while still maintaining the closeness of having your baby nearby. With the crib in your room, you can still quickly respond to your baby while they are sleeping safely in their own space. This can be a great gradual approach to start with and can be less overwhelming for you!
If moving the crib into your room isn’t an option, you can temporarily move into your baby’s room. This isn’t meant to be a long-term solution, but it can be very helpful in maintaining the closeness of having your baby nearby without sharing a bed. Once your baby has gotten used to their new sleeping arrangements, you can go back to sleeping in your room.
Tip #5: Gradually Reduce Nighttime Contact
If your baby is used to falling asleep while co-sleeping, start by sitting beside the crib and providing soothing through touch or voice, then gradually reduce proximity over days or weeks. This gentle crib transition strategy supports your baby’s self-soothing development.
Tip #6: Consider Sleep Training Support
Depending on your baby’s age, sleep training is the best way to transition your baby to sleep in their crib. By working with a sleep consultant, I can help you set up a plan to teach you and your baby how to sleep independently in their own space. I can help you overcome overwhelming sleep problems by developing healthy sleep patterns. Learn how to put your kids to bed (in their crib or room) and gain back valuable time for yourself and your family! When you successfully sleep train, you can finally get to sleep and stay asleep. I have a whole blog post that talks about the benefits of sleep training and how they have an impact on the entire family.
Sleep is a vital part of life for everyone, especially for kids. For babies and toddlers, sleep is key to their growth and development. Co-sleeping can often cause disruptive sleep, a fussy baby, and exhausted kids and parents. Deciding to transition your child to sleep in their crib is the first step in teaching them healthy sleep habits that they will carry with them throughout their life. If your child is older, you can still make the decision to stop co-sleeping and transition them to sleeping in their own space.
Sleep Shore Sleep Consulting
Stop guessing your way through naps and nights. The problem isn’t that your child can’t sleep. It’s that your current methods and cycles are teaching them the wrong skills. You’ve tried everything to help your little on self-soothe, and you’re exhausted from the constant wake-ups and struggle. YOU deserve more! Waiting from them to “grow out of it” is costing your entire family months of crucial rest.
We don’t just give you a tip; we provide personalized, age-appropriate solutions for newborns, infants, and toddlers that teach the core, life-long skill of independent sleep. STOP losing sleep over a problem we can solve in days.
Sleep Shore offers expert 1:1 support (including in-home services in Boston, Central Michigan, and Northern Michigan). Our calendar is filling fast – we are only accepting a limited number of new clients every month. Don’t wait another week. Click here to schedule your consultation and secure your family’s rest!
See what this mama had to say about our sleep services below:
“Danielle helped us transition our 6.5 month twins into their cribs AND out of their swaddles. We were still co-sleeping and they LOVED their swaddles even though they were definitely growing out of them. I was super anxious about transitioning out of the swaddle and into their cribs, but I knew it was time. Danielle gave us so much encouragement and tips on how to make this successful. Last night was night 4 and our twins barely cried at all, didn’t need any check ins, and slept from 7:35pm-6:20am! Before we crib trained, they were still waking up at least once in the middle of the night to nurse. We couldn’t recommend or love Danielle more!!”
Mom of 6-Month-Old Twins