All Mothers: Need serious help with my 1 month old!! Please read on, thanks!!!?

Question

I have a one month 3 day old daughter who won't stay asleep unless she is being held or in her swing or bouncer. I need suggestions on how to get her to stay asleep in her crib or bassinet without movement because I can't get her used to sleeping these ways for the obvious reasons (she will outgrow her swing etc.) I am EXHAUSTED, what to do???

Answer 1

Is this your first? My oldest also got so used to being held that she wouldn't sleep unless she was held - or so I thought that was the case. Seeing as how she was my first baby and I was nursing her, I didn't mind. But then after having just had my fourth baby, and they were all like that I'm now suspecting it was just a phase babe's go through, or maybe just mine. Anyway, here are my suggestions. . .

Let her sleep in the swing as long as she can if you don't really mind it. She'll eventually learn to sleep in a crib. You can slowly decrease the speed of her swing after so many nights, and then after she's sleeping in it going the slowest speed possible then you slowly start to turn it off. Like after she's been asleep for 45 mins or so just turn it off and let it slow/stop on it's own. Hopefully it'll be so gradual she won't notice. It could be that sitting up helps releave some gas pressure. Eventually she'll get used to the lack of motions, my oldest son went through this - only because he was outgrowing his swing though lol.

Another thing you can try is letting her sleep in her car seat. My youngest got used to sleeping on her own with the help of her car seat (she'll be 3 mths on the 24th). I was helping my parents install their new flooring last month and she had to sit in her car seat while I was helping them. She got into the groove, she'd cry to eat and I'd change her at the same time after I fed her she went back in her car seat. The first two days were hard because she cried a lot and I had to just let her cry. But after the first hour or so each day those first couple of days she was fine. Now she'll sleep for two or three hours every day either on the couch, my bed, the floor, her swing, car seat or wherever. It really is kind of great. The first kid of mine I've been able to get to sleep without being held for more than 20 mins at a time!

Anyway, to summarize either leave her in the swing; continue holding her if want/can, or let her cry it out for a while. She'll eventually learn somehow to sleep on her own. Right now though you need to also make sure you're sleeping too, so do what you have to to get your rest too. Just remember this too shall pass. HTH!

Answer 2

Please know that being propped up for long periods of time in something such as a swing or infant carseat is not a natural position and can be unhealthy for baby's back. These are also "artificial" comfortors.

I vote for 3 things:
1. Get a sling! You can get things done, it keeps baby close to mommy where she can hear your heartbeat, feel your warmth and smell you, and when you are up and moving around it gently lulls her to sleep, similar to when she was in your womb. It holds baby in a more natural position. When baby falls asleep, you can gently lean over her crib so that she is still in the sling and slip the sling over your head and leave it there with baby.
2. Practice SAFE co-sleeping. The rules can be found at http://www.askdrsears.com/html/10/t102200.asp This is the only way we got any sleep during both of my babies' first years.
3. Check out the book, "The No-Cry Sleep Solution" by Elizabeth Pantley. She has some great advice.

Hope you get some peace soon!

Answer 3

I let my daughter sleep in it. Remember how new they are, and still adjusting. Hell, I even moved the swing in our room and let it run. The whole family slept better lol. My daughter adjusted well, she has gone to sleep on her own for about a month now and she is 11 months old. When she did start to get close to out growing, I started using other things in her crib. Like the crib aquarium or music and she did fine. But dear, you need sleep! The swing won't hurt her now....Good Luck!

Answer 4

Try swaddling. You may also have to try letting stay in her crib/bassinet for longer periods of time so she gets use to it more. Make sure she has plenty of "awake" time in her crib. What ever you do, DON"T keep the house too quiet. She has been around your daily household noise for 10 mos! Too quiet is strange to her. You may also want to see if she is at the colic stage. If she is, laying flat may be uncomfortable for her. In her swing, bouncy, or on your shoulder she is more upright and gas may not be affecting her like it would while laying down. My daughter started her colic at 3 weeks. The miracle cure for colic is "Mylacon". That stuff was a lifesaver. There are also generic forms of it too.(Mylacon name brand is kind of expensive.) I used the Wal-Mart " Equate" equivalent and it worked just as well as the name brand. Good Luck and enjoy your new love!!!

Answer 5

Tough situation! Give her a bottle and make sure she isn't wet. (I'm sure you already do this--but just for others sake!) Lay her down in her crib and sit beside it patting her on the belly or rubbing her hair. The next week don't touch her just sit next to her. The next week just stand at the doorway. After that you should be good! I know it's hard and this is going to take time but it's better to get it done now then be holding a six month old to sleep or continuing holding her with no end in sight. Best of Luck to you! Congratulations by the way!

Answer 6

Right now she's still very young and the warmth of your body is something she's used to. She'll soon outgrow this stage but you have to give it time, for the moment let her sleep in the swing or with you, just be careful not to roll over on her. Or you can try wrapping her in a receiving blanket and putting her in her crib to see if that'll help. Good Luck!

Answer 7

Your baby is used to being inside you. These devices give her that security. As she gets a little older she will become more aware of herself and whats around her. She will use her body and her interest in these things will fade. Let her have them for now. Decrease use a little at a time between 5 and 6 months. She will probably do that on her own anyways.

It will not hurt to let her use these while she is so young. Let her be little and keep these things near you. Put the swing next to the couch. Support her in her swing with blankes rolled up (i did this with my girls) and take your nap.

Answer 8

You can't get her to sleep anywhere else because she is used to the movement. You need to break the habit of movement when she is sleeping. If anything she will grow out of it, if not you are just going to have to let her cry it out, even if for just a little bit.
Good Luck.
Like the first person said, try swaddling, that was the only way I could get my baby to sleep for the first few months. I still have to do it if she had a bad day. (She is only 10 months old.)

Answer 9

ok, first off, don't worry that this will last forever- she'll start sleeping in her crib soon enough. My theory was that i did whatever it took to get the baby to sleep if it meant i got to sleep too. She is still adjusting to life on the outside, and she needs comfort. Don't worry that you'll spoil her by holding her too much or whatever-- if she wants you to hold her to go to sleep, just do it. You can try getting her adjusted to the crib when she is a little older. Relax. Enjoy her, and remember that it won't be very long until she won't need or want you to rock her and hold her, and trust me, you'll miss it. Good luck, and check out "The Girlfriend's Guide to the First Year"-- it gives good practical advice.

Answer 10

Yes, she will eventually grow out of her swing but trust me when i tell you that for the first 3 months of a babies life you really can't spoil them. let her sleep in the swing. i did that with all of my 3 children and they never absolutely never had a hard time going from the swing to the crib. the thing you have to remember is that when you do eventually decide to put her in the crib. (I would suggest no later than 3 to 4 months) you have to let her try and sooth herself. otherwise, she will get used to you running in every time she makes a whimper. she'll be fine don't worry and whatever you have to do to get some sleep yourself you should do. congrats on your beautiful bundle of joy!!!