My baby girl won't stop..?

Question

I'm 17, yes, I'm a teen dad, I'm engaged to my babys mother, not for the sake of our baby, but because I love her.
My fiancee hasn't been feeling well lately, so I'm taking care of my daughter.
She just fell asleep, for the time being and I have some questions.

First of all, she's 5 months old.

She ran a small fever, I took her too the doctor,
its nothing bad, but we have to be careful, because my daughter has a weak immune system and we have to keep her warn and when I wrap her in a blanket, and she cries and throws a fit. I have to keep her warm, but she refuses, what should I do ?

Is it a bad habitat to start with my daughter is she sleeps in the bed with me and my fiancee will she's sick ?

And one more thing,
just I need advice on how to raise her properly.


And before you say anything, I have a job, I dropped out of school to raise her, but I do plan on going back. We live in a villa apartment in massapequa new york, and we give her everything we can.

Answer 1

You know what you shouldn't have to explain yourself to strangers. Have you tried swaddeling her, baby's ususally like that the non technical term is a baby buritto. They hate they process but love the outcome. You:

"Fold one corner of your blanket down. (A receiving blanket works well.) Place your baby in the middle of the fold with his head above the edge.
Pull the left side of the blanket snugly across your baby's chest, making sure his right arm is wrapped close to his body. Then lift your baby's left arm and securely tuck the blanket under his body.
Bring the bottom of the blanket up and either fold the edge back or tuck it into the first swathe. Then pull the last corner of the blanket across your baby's chest, securing his left arm near his body.
4. Tuck the blanket under your baby's back as far as it will go. Keep your baby snugly wrapped as you pick him up
TIP: Don't be alarmed if your baby wiggles his arms out while he sleeps. Some babies don't like having their arms confined. Try keeping his arms outside the blanket while you wrap it. Your baby might prefer this more natural position.

If you do keep her in bed with you make sure you don't cover her face with the blanket or roll over on her. I know you wouldn't do it intentionally but while you are asleep things could happen. AND only let her sleep with you for a night or two at the most, for baby's habits form easily. And baby's wiggle ALOT!! If you need baby advice I can help.

Good luck

Answer 2

You're going to get mixed responses when it comes to letting her sleep in bed with you. But look up attachment parenting: a lot of parents are doing it, and so long as you aren't a heavy sleeper it's usually alright. I slept with my son for the first few months and gradually moved him to the crib. I don't know if you'll end up with a really bad habit of letting her sleep there when she's not feeling good, but I think whether you do or not, your kid will come back to sleep in your bed whenever she's feeling bad anyway. It's very comforting.

As for keeping her warm, some things that others suggested are really the best: sleepers and blanket sleepers. I think they have some good ones at Target. We used them for a good long time with our son because no matter what we did we just couldn't keep him swaddled.

Now, raising her properly... sounds like you're doing a good job as is. ^_^ It's hard, and almost all the parenting books have at least some conflicting advice. I've gone with something simple: whatever feels natural, so long as it doesn't harm my son. Obviously, no hitting, screaming, lack of feeding or changing. I cuddle him when he wants to be cuddled, let him play so long as he isn't doing anything dangerous, and make sure he knows what he's being punished for (he's 18 months and understands when we warn him about timeout). Read up from some parenting books. Use what works for you, and toss the rest. Your daughter will teach you how to become a parent the best, and no one else. Because sadly, with every child you need a different parenting style.

Answer 3

It is never a good idea to start letting a baby sleep in the bed with you and your fiance' but with each parent it is a choice that you make. I wonder how it is that you wrap her in the blanket...do you wrap her arms up too? Try wrapping her more loosely and leaving her arms free. With your daughter having health problems, have you thought about having her crib in your room so that you can keep check on her and adding a thicker blanket since she doesn't like being wrapped up. No parent knows exactly what to do, especially with their first child, so you will make mistakes along the way just do your best because only you know your child and what would be best for her. I wish you all the best and congratulations on being a responsible young parent!

Answer 4

First, if your wife is not feeling good keep the baby away away away. Babies are so gullible to sickness at this age you should keep her from anybody who's sick. Second, my daughter hated being wrapped up she still does but what I used to do is put warm clothes on her. Long sleeves pants socks and those tiny cute little hats. She'll be OK. So if she kicks off the blanket shes well dressed you won't have to worry. I give you props for dropping out but don't worry you'll be right on track again before you know it. You sound like a good man keep it up. Last but def not least, you will raise her properly. Just follow your instincts. babies don't come with rules because everyone does everything differently. it'll come to you naturally. Don't worry so much. Enjoy this stage cause they grow up so fast. It only gets more harder. Good Luck!

Answer 5

I was 17 when i had my daughter and i married her daddy because i loved him and it has been 12 years and counting. Just wanted to let you know no matter what anyone says it is possible. As for keeping her warm, trying warmer clothes instead of the blanket. She probably just wants to be able to move around a bit. No, it's no awful to let her sleep with you when she's sick. Just don't let it get to be habit. She may get mad when you try to stop but if you tough it out a couple of nights you'll be fine. Try to go back to school when you can. I understand you wanting to take care of them. but eventually you will need something to make a good living, even if it's just your g.e.d. And I can't tell you how to raise her properly. Just love her and always put her first. Oh, and if things with her mom get tough. Stick with it. We split a few times in the first 4 or 5 years but it is so worth working through it. Good luck and God Bless!!

Answer 6

God bless you for being responsible and taking care of your family young man!

As for your baby, by 5 mos many don't like to be 'swaddled' anymore. So binding her arms down (even though it is well intentioned) may make her angry. Dress her in warm jammies instead. If you need to, turn up the thermostat in the apartment, so the home is warmer altogether. And she won't get chilled.
Be cautious not to overheat her though. Being that she has run a fever....do not try to over-warm her in this aweful august heat. Feel her arms and feet, and keep her from being chilled...and maintain her comfort. But if she is sweaty behind the ears and on her forehead and nose....you have overdone it. It can be a delicate balance.

It is okay for a baby to sleep with you when she is sick. It can help them get better faster, feeling that bonding. But co-sleeping can be dangerous (possibility of roll-over smothering) if it is not done right. So make sure the baby is protected from being rolled on, smothered in blankets, or falling between the wall and bed. Safety first!

As far as raising her right..... Always treat her mother with respect. The best gift you can give a child, is to truly love their mother. That gives them stability of a family unit, and security in who they are and knowledge that they are loved.

Good luck!

Answer 7

If wrapping her in a blanket is making her cry then try putting more clothes on her. You can put a t-shirt under her clothes and put socks or booties on her feet., long pants or p.j's.
If your g/f is sick then it's not a good idea to have the baby in the same bed, especially if she has a weak immune system.

The raising part is a lot of common sense, a lot of love and a lot lot lot of patience. (that's the one you're going to need the most).
Your daughter will always have to come first in every decision you make until she moves out. That just the way it is and the way it has to be when you raise children.

Cheers and good luck to you both.

Answer 8

Isn't it warm enough right now. I thought the whole country was going through a heat wave. If you still want to warm her up, put pajamas on her instead of a blanket. Who said she has a weak immune system? I never heard of that unless a lot of tests were done. Do not let her sleep with you. Two reasons. She will like it and never go back in her crib. You or her mom may roll over and suffocate her.

Answer 9

well how do you feel when you are hot and than get a blanket on your. She is telling you the same thing,,, she don't like it. But you have to do what is good for her and put up with the crying. unless you and the misses can put up with a warm house so she can stay warm that way.
make sure the blanket is soft on her skin. you don't want a scratchy blanket and neither does she
having her sleep with you is a personal choice. you will hear both that is is great or a sin. it is your call. But with your misses being sick I would say sleep on the couch with the baby if the baby needs you to stay calm.

Answer 10

The easiest question first, blanket sleepers. They are great for keeping a baby warm who does not like being in a blanket. If you can get her to wear a soft knit hat even better. I am glad you are trying to take responsibility for your daughter I wish you and the mom the best. My favorite book for help with the baby set is What to Expect for the First Five Years. If you have know successful parents ask them for advice. Keep your sense of humor above all. I hope the three of you will be happy.