How do you get your newborn or LO to sleep in an empty crib (with just a firm bed and nothing else)?

Question

I swaddle my 7 weeks baby during bedtime. He still can’t sleep long in his own empty crib (to prevent SIDS) and frequently wakes up crying. 
At times when I’m sleep deprived, I let him sleep beside my while being swaddled. This is not recommended but I’m really desperate. 
Anyone’s newborn or LO did manage to sleep in a empty crib? Any tips to share?

Answer

Place a heating pad down in the crib to warm up the mattress. Remove the heating pad and place LO down making sure that their entire body touches the mattress at the same time to not set off the startle reflex. I had to do this with my eldest as he had severe reflux and hated to be on his back. Worked like a charm because they are going from your warm arms to a warm crib. Also what a PP mentioned, dark room and white noise while swaddled.

Answer

I agree with all of the suggestions! We do blackout curtains, sound machine, a cool room (68ish), he wears a weighted sleep sack and I rock him to sleep in my arms. Sometimes if he’s had a lot of stimulation though he likes to lay on my pillow without me touching him to fall asleep and then I transfer him. As long as he’s eaten well he’ll usually sleep from 9pm-4am without a feed. I will say he’s not a great nap taker during the day so that may play into it. My first didn’t do long stretches like that either until he was closer to 6/7 months.

Answer

I have an 9 week old who has been sleeping in her crib alone since 6 weeks. We do sound machine, room around 70 degrees, sleep sacks, and when she first started out we rocked her in our arms about 10 min past when she seemed asleep. Very slowly putting her down as not to startle her.

Answer

I always have the room pitch black, white noise, a fan running and her in her sleep sack. I would let her sleep on my chest for about 30 minutes to make sure she’s in a deep sleep, then put her in the crib. After a couple weeks of that, she is now used to it and doesn’t mind going into it! I’ve also heard if you put a shirt or something of yours in there and then take it out before you lay babe down it helps because of your smell

Answer

Swaddle, white noise and dark. I make sure shes in a deep sleep before putting her down consistency. It sucks at first but now we get 6 or 6 hour stretches at 10 weels. She doesnt do a lot of naps in her crib yet though. We also never had a bassinet and just go straight to a crib in our room. Maybe a bassinet or side car crib would help keep baby safe but easier for you when you are sleep deprived and nees to put them.dowm.next to you.

How do you get your newborn or LO to sleep in an empty crib (with just a firm bed and nothing else)?

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