How to move your baby out of your bed.
HOW DO I GET MY BABY OUT OF MY BED?
This is such a common question that I get asked all the time. Parents often come to me desperately trying to move their baby or child into their own crib or bed but just can’t seem to figure out where to start or how to go about this seemingly impossible task. They’ve spent months or even years snuggling their little ones in their bed and now they’re ready to make the big change and move them out of their bed. EEEK! Fear not, it’s not impossible and I’ve seen it done many times before!
Starting off with a baby in your bed may seem easy and convenient at first, but not only does that pose a safety issue, but as your baby grows and becomes more aware of their surroundings and more set in their ways, they also become very reluctant to sleep anywhere else! This can be a huge stressor for parents as they long for much needed space and their own bed back.
In today's post I wrote a few helpful tips that I have found to be key factors in beginning the process of successfully moving your baby out of your bed. With practice, you and your little one will soon be sleeping happily and peacefully in your very own space. What a thought!
Tip #1. Devise a step-by-step plan.
Having a concrete plan in place is the first step toward successfully moving your baby out of your bed and into their own room or crib. You want to have it all laid out for you beforehand so that you have proper guidelines to follow, along with effective tools and techniques to successfully implement your plan.
Tip #2. Create a conducive sleep environment for your baby.
Creating a safe and conducive sleep environment for your child is key to ensuring they are secure and comfortable in their new space. Knowing that your child is safe and comfortable in their own crib/room will help ease your mind about whether or not you should move your baby out of your bed. This new environment will also help promote better sleep for your little one, as it will eliminate all the noise and distractions that come with room-sharing.
Tip #3. Spend quality time in their room.
Spending lots of quality time together in their room before naps and bedtime will help them create positive associations with their new sleep space. Spend a few minutes playing in their room or near their new crib at times other than when it’s time to sleep as this is a great way to familiarize them with their new crib/room.
Tip #4. Offer loving support.
Offering loving support and encouragement along the way will give your little one all the comfort he/she needs as they adapt to this big change. Go ahead and give your child a lovie, a beloved toy or stuffed animal or a comfort toy of their choice to ensure an easier transition and that extra bit of security.
TIP #5. USE A VISUAL TOOL FOR TODDLERS.
Using visual tools when it comes to toddlers is often a must and when implementing new rules and boundaries. Restructuring their bedtime and moving them out of your bed can seem like a daunting task, but a tool such an ok-to-wake-clock is super helpful and effective in conveying these new rules and expectations. It’s not always enough to tell them what we want and then expect them to blindly follow through, we also have to show them. Such devices show them what time it is, when it’s time to sleep and when it’s time to wake up for the day - and it’s especially helpful at bedtime when restructuring your toddler’s bedtime routine.
Tip #6. Be consistent and patient.Being consistent with your plan and with your responses to your child throughout the process will help them adjust a lot quicker. Try not to go back and forth on your decision to move them out of your bed, as this will prolong the process and add unnecessary tears, frustration for your child. Doing this can also send a confusing message to your little one, leaving him unsure of where he will sleep from night to night or what bedtime will look like and this can be unsettling for him, causing unwanted bedtime battles. Don’t forget that this is a huge change for both of you, so give yourself time to adjust to it as well but know that with consistency and patience, you will both get there!
Note* If you are moving your baby out of your bed but will continue room-sharing, move the crib/bed as far away from yours as possible. Against a wall or in a corner is preferable, as this will help create a clear distinction between his and your sleep space. If possible, you can also put up a divider or a curtain to really emphasize that distinction. Continuous white noise will be especially helpful if you are room-sharing so that you don’t have to tiptoe nearly as much as you would without the white noise and It will also promote longer and deeper sleep for your child. Do your bedtime routine as you would if he was in a separate room and allow him some time to practice falling asleep on his own so that he does not become dependent (if he isn’t already) on falling asleep with you in the room.
Click here for more information on safe sleep recommendations from the AAP.
