In the first few months of parenthood it’s important that you create a safe sleeping environment for your newborn. This often involves your baby sleeping in a Moses basket, not only because it’s small but it will provide a cosy sleeping environment without being too overwhelming.
However, it doesn’t take a long for your baby to outgrow a Moses basket and a stress free transfer of your baby to a cot can make sleep for the whole family much easier going forward.
Cots are the most common long-term sleep solution (before bed)and babies can stay in these for years (depending on the size) so if your babies ready, take the plunge and get them sleeping comfortably in their cot.
When should you ditch the Moses basket?
Rather than having an age in mind, the decision to make the transition is likely to be made due to the size of your baby.
If your child starts to outgrow their initial space and is waking themselves up by hitting the sides, rocking themselves awake when they move around or ending up like a crouched frog… it’s probably time to make the move.
The move
Many babies struggle to acclimatise when they first move from a Moses basket to a cot. Parents are often heard recounting tales of how when they first put their child in a cot, they just wouldn’t sleep. Putting the baby back in their Moses basket results in hours of uninterrupted sleep.
Why won’t they sleep?
Only a few babies will transition to sleep in a cot without a hitch. It’s usually because the cot is out of their comfort zone, away from parents and too big in comparison to their previous sleeping environment in their trusty old Moses basket.
Sleep associations can also come into play. Your child could have spent the last few months being rocked to sleep and now their sleep environment is changing. They haven’t slept in their cot before, so why would it be a place where they can instantly relax and sleep?
Moving to the cot is the equivalent of you moving into your guest room – it’s a completely different environment and even some adults won’t sleep well in a change of environment.
Top tips to get your baby to sleep in their cot
The number one goal in helping your baby sleep in their cot is to make it feel like their room and their bed. Here are a few top tips that should be considered:
- Put your bed in your child’s room for a few days while they adjust
- Make sure you spend non-sleep time in their room
- Have your child sleep in their own cot sheet for a few days, so it has their scent
- As parents, you sleep on your baby’s cot sheet for a few days, so it has your scent
- Make the cot fun during non-sleep times – put some of your child’s favourite toys in the cot so they see it as a fun place to be
- Give it time. Don’t expect it to go perfectly the first day. It might take a few days to get them comfortable, or even a few weeks, but the first few nights will probably be the most challenging. Expect it to be rough and they might just surprise you, however bear in mind that the minority has an easy transition.
The fine line
It’s a very fine line between comforting and mollycoddling – it is imperative that your baby learns how to fall asleep on their own. Otherwise, you’ll end up running more miles then a marathon runner going back and forth from your room to theirs all night which isn’t healthy for anyone.
You might not be able to teach your baby how to self soothe, but you can provide them the opportunity to learn for themselves through a consistent routine.
Use a baby monitor
The first time that parents try to get babies to sleep on their ownis an anxious time. Make this time easier by using a baby monitor such as the EyeOn Baby Monitor.
The EyeOn baby monitor allows parents to keep an eye on what matters most to them, 24 hours a day, wherever they are from their iPhone, iPad or Android device, all through the free mydlink™ Baby App. Features include:
• Secure Streaming with HD Clarity
• Real-time notifications due to baby’s crying or movement
• Play a choice of five soothing lullabies in order to help your little one settle
• Keep an eye on the room temperature in order to ensure conditions are at their prime
• Wireless monitoring and two-way audio
• Image & video recording
All parents say their children grow up fast, so don’t miss a minute with a D-Link EyeOn baby monitor.
(Disclaimer: This is a sponsored post.)
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