Bringing a newborn baby home would usually make parents feel that they should always stay beside him or her, especially during the night. If you and your spouse are first time parents, your desire is to be beside your baby for the first few months. However, newborns are still fragile, hence, it is safer if you just set up a crib beside where you sleep. Aside from your baby’s safety, it will be easier to feed him, or change diapers, or pick your baby when she/he cries.
When your baby is a little older, you can try to make the big move into the nursery. Observe how your baby will react to a “new environment”. Make him comfortable first and facilitate transition gradually. You may initially let your baby sleep on a rocker or glider.
Let him take his nap in his crib for a few weeks until he’s well-adjusted. Once he’s becomes used to it, you can completely move him to the crib for all his sleeping time. You can place the crib in your room, and later move it to the nursery room for a gradual transition.
Allow your baby to get comfortable while you’re in the nursery with him. You’ll notice that there might be instances when he would seem to know when you’re there with him. If your baby’s asleep and he senses you’re there, it is likely that he’ll wake up and will have trouble going back to sleep.
Try to sit beside the crib for a while your baby falls asleep. For the following weeks, try sitting a bit farther from the crib, until your bundle of joy becomes accustomed to falling asleep without you by his side, in a separate room. It can be quite difficult in the beginning, but consistency helps.
If you’re still a little worried, try setting up an audio or video monitor in the nursery room, so you can check on your little one. Start establishing some nighttime routines with your baby, such as a warm bath, reading, or singing to him. This will make him feel safe until he falls asleep.