“My Baby Won’t Sleep in the Bedside Crib!” – What You Can Do Now

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 this:

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 (or let him fall asleep next to me in bed), everything is fine.
Maja (name changed)

So, what can you do if your baby won’t sleep in the bedside crib?

In this article, you’ll find 7 valuable tips!

By the way, don’t miss your chance to sign up for my free baby sleep course!

Why Won’t My Baby Sleep in the Bedside Crib?

Most of the time, the reason falls into one of these two categories:

1. Your baby isn’t used to sleeping separately from mom yet.
2. Your baby’s sleep routine makes it difficult to sleep well in the bedside crib.

(Of course, there may be other factors as well.)

Let’s go through these two points briefly. This will help you better understand what your little one needs to sleep more comfortably 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 (more on that in a moment).

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.

My Baby Won’t Sleep in the Bedside Crib? 7 Tips

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.

Why does this work?

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.)

To shield the crib from cold drafts, you can use soft fabrics on the sides. (If you create a cozy sleep space, always ensure there’s no risk of your baby slipping under pillows or blankets.)

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. When they are born, they can’t see you clearly yet, but they already know your scent. 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.

In addition to traditional swaddle blankets or sleep sacks, there are also specialized swaddle aids available.

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. Although this step can be challenging for some babies, it can significantly improve both sleep onset and overall sleep quality. It also helps your baby associate the crib with falling asleep.

For more helpful information on self-soothing and falling asleep independently, check out this article.

7. Consistency and Patience

If you’re trying to change your baby’s sleep habits—such as transitioning away from falling asleep in your arms—here’s one crucial piece of advice: Don’t give up after just one attempt if your baby protests.

Every transition comes with challenges (we humans love our habits).

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

“My baby won’t sleep in the bedside crib—should I change something?”

If you’re happy with your current sleep situation and your baby is safe (i.e., not at risk of slipping under blankets if co-sleeping), then you don’t necessarily need to switch to a bedside crib.

However, this question often comes from a deeper concern: Isn’t it better for my baby if I provide warmth and closeness throughout the night?

This depends on your current sleep situation. Many parents find their way here because their nights are far from peaceful. Frequent waking, restless sleep, and long bedtime struggles can be exhausting. And in the morning, not only is the baby overtired, but mom is too.

Wouldn’t it be better to use the nights for restful sleep and make up for that closeness and warmth during the day—with lots of joy and balance?

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?)

Learn more here: Free Baby Sleep Course

“Can I Let My Baby Sleep in My Bed?”

In general, co-sleeping is possible, but there are two potential concerns:

• The risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) is higher. Parents should avoid smoking and alcohol consumption, and it’s crucial to ensure that the baby cannot slip under a blanket.
• If mom is struggling with sleep deprivation, the situation changes entirely. I also loved cuddling with my babies at night and having them close, but eventually, some of them developed sleep problems, and I could no longer get enough rest. When that happens, it’s time to consider a change.

“Why Does My Baby Sleep Well in the Bassinet but Not in the Bedside Crib?”

Many parents describe a similar experience:

Our little one sleeps peacefully in the bassinet all day. But as soon as we go to bed and place him in the bedside crib, everything falls apart… He gets worked up and starts crying uncontrollably. We don’t understand why he sleeps fine in the bassinet but not in the bedside crib.
Andrea (name changed)

The issue isn’t the crib itself but rather the difference between daytime and nighttime sleep. These are processed in different parts of the brain and can vary significantly in quality.

The reasons why your baby refuses to sleep in the bedside crib at night are the same as those discussed earlier.

“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. (Many bedside cribs can be converted into standalone cribs by closing the open side.)
• If your baby sleeps in a bedside crib instead of in your bed, the risk of slipping under blankets is significantly reduced. This means that bedside cribs also help lower the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).
• And finally, moms get to enjoy more space in bed—something they would otherwise have to share if their baby were sleeping directly in their bed.

“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.

“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.