Let’s chat transitioning our little ones to their own room and into their crib.

First, I want us to be sure that we know that our little one’s can sleep in their crib, safely, from night one. CDC and American Academy of Pediatrics do state that keeping little one’s in the room with the parents, for the first year, is safest.

This is something to keep in mind and follow. Do know that if your family makes the transition earlier, be sure to follow the ABC: Safe Sleep recommendations.

There is no rule or law that states that they need to sleep in a bassinet. Quite honestly I am not a fan of the bassinet because I was only able to use it for a few short weeks and then, little ones rolled.

So, before jumping into the Three Tips for Crib Transition let’s be sure that we understand that if our little one’s are in the bassinet we should be getting them into a crib or pack n play, once they’ve begun to roll. Either way.

Okay, back to the point of the blog. There is a strategic plan on ensuring the transition of the little one into their own room, is done safely and appropriately.

Tip 1: Preparing the Room

Room Preparation is key to success. I can bet, if you have been here awhile, that you know majority of the things I would consider being room preparation.

So, let’s get the list together.

Best Items For Room Preparation:

Black out shades
Sound Machine
Safe bed space
Sleep Sack
Fan

That’s right. Little one’s will be more successful in their new sleeping area if the room is set up just like the space they are used to sleeping in.

If, this all feels new then, the above listed items are great practices to put in place to help your little one become a confident and strong sleeper.

Tip 2: Consistent Sleeper

If your little one is unable to self-soothe themselves to sleep it is still okay that you are transitioning them to their own room.

Sometimes that transition into their own room can eliminate them hearing you or easily awaking to your smell.

Though, sometimes it is harder on parents who do not have a consistent sleeper because they are constantly up and down and running down the hall or worse, the stairs.

Having a consistent sleeper with limited to no night feedings makes for the transition to not only be easier on the child, but the parents too.

So, if you do not have a consistent sleeper begin practicing some habits. Do what works best for your family, but also, stick to whichever process you put in place.

Tip 3: Start with Bedtime and Keep Routine

There are so many times that parents want to begin a new sleeping transition during the day and then, expectations are not met. What we forget is that sleep drives are MUCH higher during the night. So, our little one’s tend to transition into the new sleeping arrangement much easier when we begin with bedtime instead of nap time.

Begin the transition at night and then, the following begin with at least one nap.

Keeping the Bedtime Routine:

Another key tip is that we keep a bedtime routine in place. The bedtime routine is cue that their sleep is coming. So, continue with what you have been doing up until the transition.