Cot refusal hell

My baby is nearly 1 and for the last few months we’ve been co-sleeping. It started off because it was easier to comfort her at night but when we upgraded from the next-2-me to cot she refused the cot. So now it became the habit/routine. Neither myself or my partner get a good sleep co-sleeping, it can also get quite hot and I’m worried of the dangers it poses. Plus I’m going back to work so we agreed enough was enough we need to get baby into cot no matter what. I managed to get her into her cot tonight (third successful attempt ever) as she was very tired but like the other occasions she only slept for like 30 mins before she realised where she was and she’s screaming her head off. We’ve offered her milk - refuses, we stood over and held her for comfort but the moment we walk away - screaming. It’s been 3 hours now and shes sooo tired bur refuses to sleep. We’re not giving up tonight but the screaming is honestly draining and I do feel sorry for the neighbours. I know it’s only day one But why are babies this hard work ? It almost feels unfair.

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I feel for you as we’ve been there… I would say we had a tough time when we first introduced her to a cot and we ultimately end up putting her in bed with us when it was bad or the screams/cries were too much because we both had work the next day and needed SOME sleep but cosleeping became hard work because I could never get into a deep sleep and spent time worrying the same as you… is it too hot? Will one of us roll over her by accident etc so in the end we agreed we HAD to introduce the cot. Think we had 3 really bad nights and now it’s as though we never went through it. She hates being put in the cot but will eventually just flop down on her own when ready and sleeps the entire night.. we tried all sorts though, toys, blanket, pillow.. our next challenge will be when we move the cot to a separate room 🤣🤣

Following this as I could right this my self having the same issue with my daughter love anf she also 1

Following also x

Unfortunately, you need to ride it out 😑. I do occasional put my 7 month old into our bed, but usually only in the morning for an extra couple of hours sleep!

Positive association is an excellent one to start with so you can introduce a play time in the cot at some point in the day when baby is awake & happy, building up they learn that it is a safe space for them and you interact and stay nearby. Do you do any naps in the cot? Daytime naps in there and comfort baby, picking up if needed to settle and popping them back down & keep doing until they settle... can be long and tedious but repetition means they begin to understand the patter and waht to expect, and knowing you are there to settle & comfort them but they go back down when settled. Similar at night time but building it up may help! All advise from my week by week baby book and has worked for us but understandably every LO is different. Best of luck 💕

Can’t speak from experience as still pregnant with first baby but on the advice of a friend we are attaching the cot to the bed so it becomes an extension of the bed. So like a next to me but for when they are bigger. Removing one side and making the two mattresses level with each other. Not sure if something like that could work for you but it might be a nice in between cosleeping and them being in cot.

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