my 8 mo old wont sleep in crib

[mhillaryann]

Since the day i brought my Gabby home from the hospital she seems scared to death of her crib im not sure what her deal is she totally freaks out. Im not sure how to easy her into it. when she came home she seamed to feel safer in her car seat then i got a baby swing and she seams to love it and it recliness enough to where all the weight isnt on her back it almost lays down all the way but keeps her elivated and helps her breath better than being on her back and her legs dont dangel its like a lazy boy that swings thats the best way to explain it. I actually wouldnt be to worried about this but she is getting bigger and she is about to out grow the baby swing and her bouncy seat between her and my 2 year old they have almost flattened it out i keep bending it back up but as soon as she sits in it her butt is on the floor again. LOL The bouncy seat has been being used non stop for 2 years the baby swing belonged to 2 other kids befor my daughter but is still in great shape.

 

So does anyone have any way of easing her into a crib that would be safe and still make her feel safe and not feel like she is in just a big open space. I really think that is what her problem is she likes to be secure. She still loves to be swaddled when she is upset she calms down when we wrape her up.

I dont think it all needs to be done today i think the swing can still hold her for another month or two but she has a new beautiful baby bed that still hasnt been slept in. Please help

[Bearsjen]

Mar. 24, 2009 at 1:31 AM

honestly you need to transition her now, as swings are not made for a sleeping baby hon. and an 8 month old can move toomuch and the swing cannot take the pressures...i would suggest getting the sleep positioners that are adjustable so she cannot roll and flail too much. What happened with my ds was I hated to see him jerk and jump while sleeping so I too used a carseat for awhile. Well now I have learned that all babies do that jerky thing, its  a chemical thing, until they are older..but what happened was jake was used to sleeping where he wanted so as he was older it was harder.Try the positioner and be patient this may take time. She will get it, and she isnt afraid of the crib, she is just used to one way of sleeping and needs to do it another. Also a swing or carseat doesnt allow her to stretch out and can cause growth issues, and also the problem of the back of head being flattened. good luck, and please start transitioning her now, it will only get harder as she ages. :o)

[mhillaryann]

Mar. 24, 2009 at 1:48 AM

thanks i will look at wal mart to see if i can find one cause i never had this problem with my son he went from bassinet to crib without problem he only had to sleep in a car seat or the swing maybe twice and that is because we moved and didnt have the crib up yet and then the other time was cause he was having problems breathing and the doctor told me to keep him elevated and that was the only way i could think of .

(Original Poster)

[MSugarKane]

Mar. 24, 2009 at 8:03 AM

during the day, when the baby is awake, happy, alert put her into the crib.  Keep the same toys in the crib.  Stand next to the crib and let her look around, stare or grab at the toys in the crib.  Take her out of the crib before she cries.   Do this often during the day until you feel she is finding her crib to be a happy place.   then sleep her in it for nap times.  And then at night.   Basically make it a happy place that she is familiar with.