How to teach a child to sleep separately?

Currently, much attention is paid to the psychological comfort of the child. From an early age, parents try to arrange life in such a way that the baby is not exposed to stress. The most important thing for a small child is the presence of his mother. This is why so many parents practice co-sleeping at an early age for their children.

When is it time to “move” the baby into his own crib?

However, the baby is growing and parents have a question: “When and how to teach a child to sleep separately?” Psychologists believe that the most appropriate age for moving into your own bed is the age of 2 years.

This age is characterized by the onset of another crisis of independence, and parents can take advantage of this to accustom the child to his crib.

Signs of readiness for independent sleep

How can you determine that your baby is psychologically ready to sleep in a separate bed?

The following signs will indicate this:

• the child has completely abandoned breastfeeding, the weaning process has long been successfully completed;
• he sleeps soundly without waking up for at least 5-6 hours in a row;
• being alone in the room, the baby does not cry or call his mother for some time (10-15 minutes is enough);
• waking up in bed, the child does not look for his mother with tears, if suddenly she is not around;
• he has fully formed the concept of property (“mine”).

If you answered yes to all of these questions, your baby is most likely ready to move into his own crib.

When is there no need to rush?

It is better to hold off on “relocation” if your baby:

• during the day he often cries, gets irritated or becomes hysterical;
• was born premature or has a birth injury;
• has some chronic diseases, developmental delays;
• often wakes up at night or has trouble falling asleep, wakes up crying, that is, has signs of overexcitation of the nervous system.

This also applies to the following cases:

• you just recently sent him to a nursery or kindergarten and the adaptation period has not yet passed;
• you are pregnant and expecting the birth of another child soon. It would be better to move the baby into his own crib long before this event. Otherwise, he will connect his “eviction” with the appearance of a “rival” in the family.

In all these situations, it is better not to rush to give up co-sleeping. It is known that the closeness of the mother calms the baby. If there are any problems, the baby next to you will be able to deal with them faster. And then you can think about a separate crib.

Ways to teach your child to sleep separately

"Mom is nearby"

Move your baby's crib close to yours. When laying your baby down, you can hold his hand. Seeing his mother very close to him, the baby will not worry and protest against moving to a separate sleeping place.

Gradually, if the child is not indignant and does not show concern, move his crib further away. The main thing is not to rush, but also not to linger in the position when the baby crib is very close to yours. After all, you wanted the child to sleep separately from the parents, and not to clutter the bedroom with additional furniture.

Developing the habit of sleeping independently

This method involves, first of all, developing the child’s ability to fall asleep on his own. As soon as the baby can separate sleep from his mother in his mind, it will be easy for him to move into his own bed.

To develop a skill, use the following scheme of actions:

Change the way you lay

If you used to rock your baby in your arms, now this situation needs to change. Rock him to sleep less and less before bed, and then stop altogether. Hug your baby, sing him songs, but teach him to fall asleep “like an adult.”

Be sure to create a bedtime ritual

Children are very conservative, so developed habits calm them down. A bedtime story, a favorite cartoon and a lullaby - and then fall asleep.

Stay close until the baby falls asleep

You can sit next to your child while he falls asleep. If the baby asks to be held in your arms, hug him, hold his hand.

Gradually, the baby will learn to fall asleep on his own, now you can transfer him to his crib.

Getting used to the bed gradually

Some parents first teach their child to sleep in a separate bed during naps. At 2 years old, many children sleep during the day, and you can use this method.

Its essence is to gradually get used to your crib. Usually during the day, children agree to sleep without their mother more easily. Maybe because mom doesn't have naps during the day?

Agree with your child that he will sleep in his crib only during the day. Be sure to repeat that this is only temporary. Therefore, he will get used to it and will sleep in the crib at night, but now you don’t rush him.

If you don’t put pressure on your baby, he will eventually take his personal bed for granted. Then it will be possible to slowly teach him to sleep in it at night.

"You're already big"

This method can work well again with children 2-3 years old. At this age, the fact that they are growing up and are now “already big” is very important for them.

Tell your child that he is now grown up, and adults sleep in their own separate bed. And he will have his own crib, just like mom and dad. You can allow him to come up with what toy he will sleep with, what fairy tales you will read before bed.

Be sure to talk about what he will do if he suddenly wakes up at night. Tell them that there is no need to cry or be scared, because the parents are very close - in the same room or behind the wall. Discuss how he can call you or come on his own if he suddenly gets scared.

Some parents use small nightlights that plug into an outlet at night. They can be left on all night. Providing very little light, in the dark they light up a corridor or room a little, creating a guide for the child on the way to his mother.

The path to maximum comfort

This method of accustoming oneself to one’s crib involves creating the most pleasant and comfortable sleeping conditions for the child.

Choose a crib together

Let your child also participate in the purchase, look at different beds, and discuss their advantages with you. This method is most suitable for older children. For example, at 5 years old, a child may well go shopping with you to choose a place to sleep.

Don't forget about new bedding

Let this also be the child’s choice. And not with some little flowers, but with the most beloved cartoon characters.

Encourage your child to come up with their own bedtime routine.

Of course, evening bathing and the absence of outdoor games before bedtime remain the same rule, but, for example, putting toys to bed, a bedtime story, a cartoon or some other pleasant moment the baby can choose for himself.

Choose a nice, dim night light for him.

Very often children prefer to have some light in their bedroom.

Conditions for your child's sound sleep

1. Mandatory adherence to the daily routine. By a certain hour, the body itself will be ready to sleep.
2. Taking a warm bath or shower before bed. Choose a method that relaxes your child.
3. Some light food before bed. It doesn't have to be a big dinner, but a glass or bottle of warm milk or kefir will keep your baby full enough to sleep soundly through the night.
4. Fresh air. The bedroom should be dark, cool and fresh. In such conditions, it is especially comfortable to curl up under the blanket and fall asleep soundly.
5. Don't forget about the ritual evening hugs, kisses, a fairy tale and a lullaby. All these moments give the child confidence in your love and calm him down.
6. Be consistent. If you decide that the child will now sleep in his own crib, you can, of course, take him with you if he is completely upset. However, if you miss several nights in a row, your child will not understand your wishes.

One more thing. Listen to your feelings. Often the mother herself is not ready to “let go” of the child to her own crib. Then it is difficult for the child to feel independent.

Analyze your emotions. Sometimes a mother's intuition means a lot more than all the examinations with doctors. Maybe it’s really too early for your baby to get used to his crib. You can try a little later.