So here I am. 12 months after saying I would never encourage or enter into co-sleeping with my firstborn, I’m struggling to stop the cozy nights snuggled up with my little one in my arms and transition him from the parental bed to his cot. Lux not only sleeps with us, but also has formed the habit of shifting between mom and dad throughout the night for extra snuggles.

I’ve even woken to him planting drool covered kisses on my forehead before phasing back into a deep sleep. It goes without saying that he’s become particularly fond of sleeping with mom and dad and the intimacy of our nighttime ritual is proving difficult to break. Many new parents have been there, and transferring baby from bed to cot can be just as difficult for the parents as well as our little ones.

It turns out that I love co-sleeping, but as Lux has grown, my sleep is often broken by little palms and feet in my face, forehead nudges to my back, and topsy-turvy rumbles under the sheets. This boy moves – a lot. Apart from our need for a good night’s sleep; it would be nice for us to reclaim our bed as a child-free zone, and enjoy the extra stretching and spooning room!

The following are some tips that us newbie parents can try out. Here’s to helping you reclaim your bed too!

Keep it dark

Try and keep the bedroom dark at night and light during the day. This is to help baby know that the daytime is for waking and the nighttime is for sleeping. It’s extremely difficult, and even I struggle with this, but it’s also best to limit interaction with baby during the night – no baby talk, kissing, or cuddles, even when changing baby’s diaper. The aim is to limit interaction that may be interpreted as playing.

Have a routine

Having a routine helps baby to get into the rhythm of what to expect each evening. For example, we have bath time around 4.30-5pm, and then Lux will have a snack, which usually consists of fruit and yogurt or Chinese rice porridge. We try to limit play and if he’s in the mood I might be able to read him a story. Ideally the last few phases of your nighttime routine should take place in a quiet dark space, with as little stimuli as possible. At the 7.30pm mark he usually finally falls asleep – babies love continuity and your routine does not need to resemble this one, but should be one that works for you and your family.

Naps

This one is what the family and I are focusing on right now. Put your baby down for naps in his cot during the day. We are trying to normalize the cot and make it less scary to be left in there at night. Basically, we are trying to get Lux to become friends with his cot and familiar with this new space.

Try using a baby sleeper

We purchased a baby sleeper before Lux arrived. He is used to napping in this comfortable cocoon-like space, and so we are now using it to help him transition into his cot. If you don’t already have one, try one out and use it in the cot. It will help baby to feel more snug.

Use a favourite comforter, muslin, or piece of clothing

Lux is used to the smell of us lying next to him, and he also usually sleeps with his favourite muslin. Comforting smells and textures are perfect for sounder sleep. Transfer any muslins, comforters, or clothing that smells of you or the bed to the cot.

Swaddling

This never worked for us but for some parents, this is a game-changer. When Lux was first born, he was swaddled and took to it while in hospital and for the few first nights at home. However, although we are encouraged not to allow baby to sleep on his or her front, that’s the only way he would get a good nights sleep and therefore we had to give up the swaddling. He would always fight his way free (this may have been more down to my poor swaddling technique) and I decided to go with what worked for him and not what Google was telling me should work. Some parents though swear by it and its remedial effects for a better night’s sleep for you and baby. Give it a try.

Raise the head of the cot

Lux unfortunately did suffer from reflux. If your baby does, try raising the head of the cot by putting a book or two underneath it. Sleeping at an angle will help keep the stomach acid down.

How are you coping?

I genuinely would love to receive comments about how you might have got your baby to sleep in a cot rather than your bed, or comments about trying any of the above for the first time. Share below!

Photos: Pixabay