Why does my baby wake up every time I put them down in the crib?

Babies often wake up when you put them down in a crib because the transfer can interrupt sleep and trigger normal infant reflexes.

Common reasons include:

• Startle/Moro reflex: when a baby is lowered or feels a sudden change in position, they may jerk awake.
• Light sleep: infants spend a lot of time in lighter sleep stages, so even a small change in movement, sound, or touch can wake them.
• Temperature and sensory change: going from being held close and warm to lying on a flat mattress can be enough to rouse them.

What can help:

• Wait until your baby seems in a deeper sleep before transferring them. Many babies settle more deeply about 15–20 minutes after falling asleep, but this varies.
• Lower them slowly and steadily, and keep the transfer as smooth and gentle as possible.
• Keep a hand gently on their chest or torso for a moment before slowly lifting your hands away.

Always make sure the crib is safe: a firm, flat mattress with a tight-fitting sheet, and no loose blankets, pillows, bumpers, or toys. If you warm the mattress, make sure any warming device is removed before putting the baby down.

If your baby is very hard to settle, seems uncomfortable, feeds poorly, has fever, trouble breathing, vomiting, or you’re worried something is off, contact your pediatrician.