Baby falls asleep when rocked in my arms but wakes up when put in bed, what should I do?

This is one of the most common transition problems parents experience, and it usually happens because the baby is placed in bed during a light stage of sleep. During the first 10-20 minutes after falling asleep in your arms, babies are in the REM (rapid eye movement) stage; when placed down during this stage, they're likely to wake. Instead, try putting your baby in bed when they're completely calm but not fully asleep—drowsy but still awake. After they settle down in your arms and their eyelids become heavy but aren't yet fully closed, gently move them to bed. This is the first step in developing the skill of falling asleep on their own. When putting them down, let their bottom touch the bed first, keep your hand on their back for a few seconds, then slowly lower their head—this reduces sudden temperature changes and startle reactions. Don't leave right away; keep your hand gently on their chest and stay nearby for a while to help them adjust to their new environment.