Why doesn't baby want to sleep in the crib?

This is a very common situation. Your baby's reluctance to sleep in the crib usually comes from a few basic reasons:

Physical and developmental reasons:

• Your baby is used to the warmth, heartbeat, and motion in your arms; the crib feels cold and still.
• Particularly around 3-4 months, separation anxiety begins — your baby becomes aware that the crib is a separate place from you.
• Teething, gas pains, being cold or overheated, and other uncomfortable conditions make the crib feel unappealing.

Environmental reasons:

• The mattress might be too hard or too soft, the room temperature uncomfortable.
• If the crib is in a stimulating environment (facing the TV, bright, noisy), it becomes hard to associate it with sleep.

Practical suggestions:

• Gently warming the crib with a blanket or warm water bottle before placing baby in it (remember to remove it before putting your baby down) can ease the transition.
• Putting your baby down drowsy but still awake helps them develop their own self-soothing skills.
• Gradually increasing time spent in the crib — starting with a few minutes of play, then attempting sleep — makes the crib a familiar space.

This is a developmental phase, and most babies adapt over time. However, if crib refusal persists, affects your baby's weight gain, or causes you extreme fatigue, consulting your pediatrician is worthwhile.