Help to breaking this bad habit

[stormy11]

We have gotten into a bad habit of letting DD sleep in our bed. She is 7 weeks old and I would love for her sleep in our next to me crib. DD settles for a couple of minutes and then wakes up and she usually needs to BF to settle back down. When she is in with us she only wakes 1/2 times for feeds (we do this as safely as possible and make sure her face doesn't get covered). I really worry about SIDS and want her to sleep in her crib which is right next to me. We give her a bottle of formula at around 9.30pm if that helps. Any advice or tips on how to get her used to/transition her over to the crib would be amazing please.

My DS was the absolute same, the only way I could get any sleep was to have him in bed with me and I wasn't keen on it but did everything I could to make it safe, like you have.

He used to refuse to sleep anywhere but on me or next to me in bed, when he got to about 7 weeks old I started being vigilant about getting him to nap in the day somewhere that wasn't me, if he woke up picking him up and rocking him back to sleep. Once it got to the stage that he could definitely sleep somewhere that wasn't me I made it my weeks mission to get him sleeping in the next to me, which he's now done since he was 10 weeks. For me it was about making the crib as warm as possible (our house is very cold) so I put a wool blanket under him and use a hot water bottle to warm it before he goes in. He does still wake frequently during the night (he's 13 weeks now) so all is not perfect but I feel better that he isn't in my bed anymore!

Mine was the same until about 6/7. Co sleeping helped because he was breastfeeding for 40 mins then sleeping for an hour. The only way I could get 30-45mins of sleep would be to have him in the bed. I spoke to my HV and she helped me understand it was fine as long as I did it safely. She spoke to me about how co sleeping is the norm in many other parts of the world and it can be a bit harsh to expect a new born who has been inside you for so long to now sleep alone. My son is now 12 weeks at around 6/7 weeks I started putting him down in the Moses basket for his naps during the day. Even if that meant him sleeping for 3-5 minutes in the beginning. Gradually he began to sleep for longer. I just persevered for about a week. Then moved to the night time, just persevere if it’s something you want. But equally if you like having him in your bed feel free. I write this as I lie here with my son in the bed next to me and DH in the spare room because he hasn’t had a very good night (DS). Good luck

Thank you for your replies and your advice. I must admit I am not very good at putting DD down anywhere for naps during the day. Up until 2 weeks ago wherever we placed her when she was asleep she woke up straight away and screamed the house down. We bought a swing and she loves it. Yesterday she settled herself in it. I will try and lot harder to put her down for naps during the day and then work towards the night time. Thank you.

Have you tried a white noise app? Very effective at getting babies off to sleep.

@nickblainesmistress I have - but it also sends me to sleep before DD does