Newborn baby question for ya....?

Question

my daughter is 6 weeks old and I can't get her to just lay down and take a nap. she needs to lay on my chest. my boyfriend can't get her to sleep in the middle of the night and we think it's because she likes to fall asleep on my boobs. any suggestions on getting her to sleep without her laying on me, rocking her, or singing to her...

not that I don't enjoy doing these things, because she is so sweet, it just takes a lot of free time out of my day. plus I don't know if they are going to do these things in her daycare

Answer 1

I HAVE FOUR KIDS. EVENTUALLY YOU JUST HAVE TO LET THEM CRY. THEY WILL FALL ASLEEP. YOU WILL FEEL LIKE CRAP, THAT WONT GET EASIER. BUT THEY WILL EVENTUALLY FALL ASLEEP, AND YOUR DOING A GREAT THING BY TEACHING THEM TO DO FOR THEMSELVES. IMAGINE YOU DIED A YEAR FROM NOW, AND SHE WAS USED HAVING YOU DO EVERYTHING. SHE WOULD BE LOST.
LET HER CRY. MAKE SURE SHE IS FED AND DRY, AND NOT SICK, SHE WILL GO TO SLEEP.

Answer 2

This usually happens because the baby is use to hearing your heart beat when you were pregnant and you are continuing to let her hear that sound when she sleeps on your chest. It is just a habit that needs to be broken and really doesn't take long, but you will have to let her cry a bit and don't let her lay down on your chest.

I ran home daycare for years and I can tell you that we are far to busy to lay around with a baby on our chest all day. Most daycare providers take nap time to clean up and prepare for meals and daily activities.

Answer 3

Until 6 weeks ago, your daughter lived in a warm environment, listening to your heartbeat and being rocked by your motion. It takes some time to get used to life outside the womb. My advice? Go by the baby and not by the book. Get a snuggli and carry her during the day so you can move around. She will get used to life in the outside world, but you can't rush her into it. Parenting is not convenient nor easy. I know by now you must be tired and in desperate need of some sleep. It will pass. Maybe try a bassinet so she can be close to you at night and feel your touch. Good luck and lots and lots of patience.

-Mother of 3.

Answer 4

I know exactly where you're coming from! My baby had colic, reflux, and the "didn't want to be put down syndrome" (I invented that one!) He is now 3mos. and just stopped crying all the time! Here are some things that helped most: a warm bath at bedtime,
keeping him stimulated and awake the last few hours before bedtime, letting him get good and hungry just before bedtime (so he would eat alot before falling asleep) , swaddling him very tight w/his arms on his chest, tucking rolled towels on each side of him in his crib (so he feels like he's being held), and vibrations from a bouncy seat also helped soothe him. You might also try putting her blankets in the dryer just before tucking her in. Babies really seem to be comforted and lullled by warmth (like your body) Hope some of this helps!

Answer 5

I have 2 kids that were the same way as infants. the first one WON the battle and I rocked him to sleep til he was 1 and 1/2 years old! The 2nd baby, I leanred my lesson! He started off wanting to sleep on me then I realized what happened and started laying him in his bed. He cried some but eventually started sleeping alone. It didn't take long because I started him off early that way. The longer you wait the harder it will be on you and him.....The baby goes to sleep all by hisself without tears or anything....the almost 3 year old still has to have me lay down with him to get him to sleep! One thing that helped them to sleep and sleep all night was I layed them on their belly...they both had a touch of colic......the baby had it worse than big brother but that helped.....they started sleeping when I put them on their bellies......they WOULD NOT sleep any other way....of course I talked to their pediatrician and he agreed with me.

Answer 6

I don't believe that a newborn can be spoiled. She just wants the warmth of mom and dad near her. Try laying her down and letting her "cry" herself to sleep and see what happens. You don't have to let her cry for an hour, just a few minutes to see if she really will go to sleep on her own in her bed. If not, then your pediatrician may have some tips. Good Luck!!

Answer 7

Awww, she likes you! ;)
Actually, my son needed to be rocked to sleep until he was 4 months old. He simply would not go to sleep unless someone rocked him in the glider. We finally got tired of it and got him a mobile. We'd get him close to sleeping then lay him in the crib with the mobile on. Eventually we could put him in there awake and he'd pass out. It just takes time. Good luck to you!

Answer 8

Sounds like me and my baby! She's 6 wks old too, having a big problem laying her in her bed, and getting her to take a nap.

Answer 9

Wish I could help. My grandson is the same way and he is now 18 months old. HOWEVER, he has had three sitters plus stayed with MY parents once, and he will go lay down for them. So, they know they are safe with you and you will let them do it, but are unsure of others.

I don't see anything wrong with it either, but you are right. It is time-consuming. I hope you figure something out.

Answer 10

Get her one of those bouncy seats that vibrates. I don't think it's the laying on the boobs that she likes, I think it's feeling you breathe and having the support underneath her moving up and down that makes her fall asleep. Try a bouncy seat, it could work. Those things are great for putting kids to sleep. Here's some good one's I found:

http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=5030628

http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=4252623

Answer 11

I got this Music thing by First Years which can fit on any crib railing, it has soothing sound of Muffin Man (just the music), heart beat, thunder, rain. It worked for my little one otherwise He was so used to his dad's rocking or my breasts