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Ah, the bittersweet moment has arrived—your days of cozy, snuggly contact naps are evolving into the next phase: crib naps. While this transition can feel overwhelming and bring on a mix of emotions, it’s a step toward more independent sleep for your baby. With the right strategies and a touch of patience, you’ll have your newborn snoozing peacefully in their crib in no time.
Contact Naps Are Completely Normal (and Wonderful!)
First things first: there’s nothing wrong with contact naps. If they’ve been working well for you and you cherish those moments of closeness, there’s no rush to change. It’s perfectly normal for newborns to prefer sleeping in your arms, and if that’s bringing you both joy, keep at it!
However, if you’re starting to feel like it’s time for a change—whether because you’re ready for more hands-free time, have other children to care for, or believe your baby might sleep better in their own space—then it’s worth exploring the transition to crib naps.
Setting the Stage for Crib Naps
The crib will naturally seem less inviting to your baby than your warm, familiar arms, so creating a sleep-friendly environment is key. Here’s how:
Darken the Room: Use blackout shades to minimize distractions and signal that it’s time for sleep.
Use White Noise: A white noise machine not only drowns out background sounds but also helps your baby fall asleep faster and stay asleep longer.
Optimize Room Temperature: Aim for a temperature of 68–72°F. Over-bundling can lead to discomfort, so it’s better to keep the room slightly cool than too warm.
Start Small: One Crib Nap at a Time
You don’t need to make every nap a crib nap right away. Instead, ease into it by starting with just one nap per day. The morning nap is often the easiest to begin with since babies tend to be sleepier and more adaptable earlier in the day.
Make sure you’re timing naps correctly by following age-appropriate wake windows. For newborns, this typically ranges from 45 to 75 minutes, depending on their age. Starting with an overtired baby will make the process harder, so plan your timing carefully.
Calm but Awake: The Key to Success
Although it might be tempting to rock your baby to sleep before transferring them to the crib, this can lead to disruptions. Babies often wake up during the transfer or shortly after, startled by the sudden change in environment.
Instead, try placing your baby in the crib while they’re calm but fully awake. This helps them become familiar with falling asleep in their crib and builds confidence that they can do so without being in your arms.
Responding to Cries with Calm
If your baby cries after you lay them down, stay calm and try soothing them in the crib. Use gentle techniques like shushing, patting, rubbing their head, or lightly rocking the crib. If the crying persists, it’s okay to pick them up, fully soothe them, and then try again.
Even if it doesn’t work out on the first attempt, that’s okay. Every effort counts as practice and exposure to the new sleep environment.
Patience, Consistency, and Celebrating Small Wins
Remember, this transition won’t happen overnight, and that’s perfectly normal. It’s hard work for your baby to adapt to a new way of sleeping, so patience and consistency are essential.
Celebrate small victories, like a 10-minute crib nap. Those little wins build the foundation for longer, more restful naps over time. The goal is for baby steps each day!
You’ve got this, mama! And if you need extra support or personalized guidance, I’m here for 1:1 consultations to help make this process smoother for both you and your baby.
Happy napping!
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