In this article, you'll learn: how to help your baby get used to sleeping in a bedside crib, the most common reasons why babies refuse to sleep in a bedside crib, seven valuable tips to make sleeping in the bedside crib easier, and why a bedside crib offers numerous benefits for both parents and baby.
Bedside cribs are incredibly popular — and for good reason. They can significantly improve sleep for both mom and baby while offering many advantages. However, what sounds great in theory can sometimes be quite challenging in practice.
I often hear parents say things like: "Whenever I try to put my little one in the bedside crib at night, he wakes up immediately and starts crying. Getting him to sleep can take up to an hour! But if I pick him up and hold him, everything is fine."
So, what can you do if your baby won't sleep in the bedside crib? In this article, you'll find 7 valuable tips!
Why Won't My Baby Sleep in the Bedside Crib?
Most of the time, the reason falls into one of these two categories:
- Your baby isn't used to sleeping separately from mom yet.
- Your baby's sleep routine makes it difficult to sleep well in the bedside crib.
1. Sleeping Close to Mom
Your baby won't sleep in the bedside crib? Of course not! Sleeping near mom is so much nicer. For many months, your baby was in the ultimate comfort zone — mom's belly. So, naturally, they are used to being close to you and sleeping in your presence.
That means your little one will need time (at the right moment) to learn to sleep in their own bed. Some babies find this easier than others. But don't worry — you can help your baby through this transition.
2. The Sleep-Onset Process
How your baby falls asleep has a big impact on their overall sleep. Do they go to bed too late? Do they fall asleep while nursing and then get moved? Are they rocked or carried to sleep?
A general rule to remember: The way your baby falls asleep is the way they want to stay asleep. That's why changes to their sleep environment can be challenging. It's important that you help your baby fall asleep in the same conditions they will sleep in for the rest of the night.
7 Tips: My Baby Won't Sleep in the Bedside Crib
1. A Warm and Cozy Bed
If your baby struggles to sleep separately from you, warming up the bedside crib beforehand might help. For example, you can place a warm water bottle in the crib for a few minutes before bedtime.
When your baby falls asleep in your arms, the temperature change when being placed in the crib can startle them awake. Be sure to remove the warm water bottle before laying your baby down and check that the crib isn't too warm. A fleece blanket placed under the fitted sheet can also make the mattress warmer and provide extra comfort.
2. A Familiar Scent
Many moms report that their baby sleeps better when they use a crib sheet that has been in their own bed for a few nights. This allows the fabric to absorb mom's familiar scent, which the baby recognizes and finds comforting. Newborns have a highly developed sense of smell — your smell is deeply reassuring for them and signals that you are close by.
3. Gentle Transfer
If your baby falls asleep in your arms, be mindful of how you lay them down in the bedside crib. Always place their feet down first. If babies are laid down headfirst, they may startle awake because it triggers a falling sensation.
4. Swaddling
Swaddling can be incredibly helpful in improving sleep quality and preventing babies from waking up due to their startle reflex. I regularly swaddled all of my babies for sleep and had great success with it. Swaddling is especially useful when your baby falls asleep in your arms and you want to transfer them to the crib without waking them.
5. Practice During the Day
To help your baby get used to the bedside crib, try using it for daytime naps as well. The first nap of the day is often the easiest one to practice with.
6. Optimizing the Sleep-Onset Process
To encourage your baby to sleep in the bedside crib, it's essential to establish a healthy bedtime routine. Here are some key points to keep in mind:
- Your baby should be tired but not overtired.
- Try to decouple feeding from falling asleep as early as possible. If your baby regularly falls asleep while nursing, they may develop a sleep association that causes frequent night wakings.
- From around 3 months of age, start implementing a consistent bedtime routine. Performing steps like dimming the lights, changing the diaper, putting on pajamas, and singing a lullaby in the same order every night helps signal to your baby that it's time to sleep.
- Put your baby down drowsy but awake and encourage them to fall asleep while lying in the crib. This can significantly improve both sleep onset and overall sleep quality.
7. Consistency and Patience
If you're trying to change your baby's sleep habits, here's one crucial piece of advice: Don't give up after just one attempt if your baby protests. Every transition comes with challenges. Be patient and keep trying. In the end, your little one will benefit from learning a new and independent way to sleep.
Important Questions About the Bedside Crib
What Are the Benefits of a Bedside Crib?
Bedside cribs are extremely popular — and for good reason. They can make sleep easier for both mom and baby while offering several advantages:
- You can breastfeed easily at night without needing to get up.
- Your baby feels your presence by sleeping right next to you. This makes it easier to soothe them, for example, by placing your hand gently on their chest.
- Bedside cribs help babies get used to their own sleep space. They serve as a perfect transition bed until your little one is ready to sleep in a crib.
- If your baby sleeps in a bedside crib instead of in your bed, the risk of slipping under blankets is significantly reduced, which helps lower the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).
- And finally, moms get to enjoy more space in bed!
What Safety Measures Should I Keep in Mind?
There are a few important safety precautions to reduce the risk of SIDS and other hazards for newborns:
- The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends that babies sleep in the parents' room for the first 6 months.
- Remove pillows, blankets, toys, and crib bumpers from your baby's sleep area.
- Ensure that the crib mattress is firm.
- Avoid smoking inside your home.
- Limit your baby's exposure to screens.
- Stop swaddling as soon as your baby starts rolling over.
When Is It Time to Transition Away from the Bedside Crib?
At the latest, you should switch to a standard crib when your baby outgrows the bedside crib or exceeds the weight limit. However, depending on your baby's temperament and sensitivity, you may find that they sleep even better in a crib placed slightly farther from your bed — or even in their own room.
We've seen time and again that babies thrive when they learn to sleep more independently. And what could be better for your baby than a happy and well-rested mom?
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a bedside crib really necessary?
A bedside crib is not strictly necessary, but it offers significant benefits — especially in the first months. It allows you to breastfeed easily at night without getting up, keeps your baby close for comfort and safety, and helps them gradually get used to their own sleep space. It's a great middle ground between co-sleeping and a separate crib.
Why does my baby only sleep when held?
Babies are naturally wired to sleep close to their caregivers — it's a deeply ingrained survival instinct. When your baby only sleeps in your arms, it usually means they have developed a strong sleep association with being held. The warmth, heartbeat, and familiar scent of a parent feel safe and soothing. With gentle consistency and the right techniques, you can gradually help your baby feel equally secure in their own sleep space.
How long does it take for a baby to accept the bedside crib?
It varies widely depending on your baby's age, temperament, and the methods you use. Some babies adjust within a few days; others may take one to two weeks. The key is consistency — small setbacks are normal. Using familiar scents, warming the mattress, and practicing during daytime naps can speed up the process considerably.
Is it safe to let my baby sleep in bed with me?
Sharing a bed with your baby comes with certain risks. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends room-sharing but not bed-sharing, as soft surfaces, pillows, and blankets increase the risk of SIDS. If you want to keep your baby close, a properly attached bedside crib is a much safer alternative that still lets your baby feel your presence throughout the night.
What are the best tips to help a baby accept the bedside crib?
The most effective strategies include warming the mattress before placing your baby down, using a crib sheet that carries your scent, placing your baby feet-first when laying them down, swaddling to prevent startling, and practicing during daytime naps. Above all, optimizing the sleep-onset process — making sure your baby is tired but not overtired and isn't relying on nursing to fall asleep — makes the biggest long-term difference.
