Babies are naturally strong enough to move around the crib. But, it’s not a good sign if it happens continuously. They can get injured anytime. You also may discover your toddler moves around in crib while sleeping.
Usually, babies below 6 months have a little habit of changing their position in the crib. They may move around the crib for an uncomfortable environment when they’re older. For example, the Mattress isn’t relaxing, the room temperature is inconvenient, and others.
Then, how to keep baby from moving around the crib?
You can easily eliminate this problem by freeing up their sleeping space, avoiding swaddling, and habituating your baby to sleep on the back.
When should you expect your baby to move around the crib?
There isn’t any fixed time for babies to move around the crib. Babies are naturally spirited and love to play by rolling over in the crib.
It’s observed that they move too much when they’re capable of sitting. The time period could be around 4-6 months or more. Sometimes, when they feel uncomfortable, they move around the crib earlier as well.
Is it ok for a baby to move around in a crib?
Babies learn moving skills by showing their activity in the crib. If they move around the crib, it’s good news that they’re trying to figure out their best sleeping position on their own. This isn’t risky until your baby hurts himself. Also, sleep regression is acceptable for babies that makes them move around the crib.
Why do babies keep moving around the crib?
Babies don’t always move around the crib just for fun purposes. Here you know about some reasons behind a baby moving around the crib.
Ensuring comfortable position
Babies can stay in a position hour after hour. But, sometimes, they may feel uncomfortable. After learning about rolling over the crib, they ensure their suitable position. Naturally, your baby moves to change the position and make themselves comfortable.
Natural Instinct
Babies below 6 months are naturally active as they have new muscles. They spend most of their time sleeping. So, their instinct is to move from one corner of the crib to another. Seeing your baby turns 180 degrees crib is also possible due to instinct.
Underdeveloped nervous system
Babies come with immature nervous systems. The system seems to over-respond or respond to things that a mature nervous system would not. For this reason, babies twitch and jerk in their sleep.
And that makes them move around the crib. MyHealth.Alberta.ca says that “between 4 and 6 months of age, babies’ balance and movement dramatically improve as they gain use and coordination of large muscles.”
High REM (Rapid Eye-movement)
The rate of REM (Rapid Eye-movement) for a baby is two times higher than a mature person. That makes babies tired, sleep for a long time, and wake up at the wrong time. According to Sleep Foundation, babies sleep an average of about 13 hours daily.
For this reason, they move around the crib to make them comfortable. If your baby kicks crib rails amid the night, that’s not surprising.
How to keep baby from moving around in crib?
Is your baby moving in crib while swaddled? Here you know some tips on how to keep baby from moving around in crib.
Ensure comfortable mattress
A comfortable mattress makes your baby relaxed even after keeping it there for a long time. In a crib, your baby is safe when you use an innerspring mattress.
You can also rely on a resilient mattress like a foam mattress. Using these types of mattresses keeps your baby calm for a long time. As a result, babies won’t change their position in the crib.
Say no to swaddling
Swaddling is great for keeping your baby calm as well as feeling safe. But, it hinders their movement during sleeping.
Better, you try a sleep sack with arm holes instead of swaddling. This method enables them to feel secure and bundled. They can move their arms freely while they sleep when you use a sleep sack.
Free-up the space
Babies are also human beings, and so they need concentration for sound sleep. Keeping so much stuff around their bed disturbs their sleeping habit. It’s only good to see blankets, accent pillows, and stuffed animals in the photograph.
By following this strategy, you can reduce the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) in your baby. For better outcomes, make sleeping materials breathable and comfortable. Their unnecessary movements will be stopped very soon then.
Put your baby on its back
According to the National Institute of Health recommendation, babies should be placed in cribs on their backs. This action minimizes the risk of SIDS.
Once the habit is grown in your baby, it won’t change forever. However, you shouldn’t turn your baby during sleep even if it’s in the wrong position. They are capable of flipping themselves back over anytime.
Creating disturbance in their sleep will just rouse them. As a result, they may wake up and spend the whole night crying. The AAP Task Force recommends that infants be placed wholly on their backs to sleep. Finally, they won’t move around the crap throughout the night and disturb you.
Conclusion
There are many more ways of keeping your baby from moving around the crib. If the way is forceful, your baby won’t react peacefully. You must know the best option to keep the baby from moving around the crib.
If you find your baby moving around in crib but not crying, there’s nothing to be worried about. Movement in a baby’s crib isn’t alarming until it’s at the corner of the crib. You should get a crib with safe edges that’ll protect your baby anytime.
Once your baby is habited with the crib, it will barely move around the crib. The actions are only applicable when your baby is endangering itself. There are many reports of stuck legs or arms in the crib studs for not preventing the baby’s movement. So, take the necessary steps before it’s too late.
