my baby is 7 weeks old she likes to be rocked and carried all the time how can i break this habit?

Answer 1

You should try one of those slings...the kind where you WEAR the baby rather than carrying her.

She's at an age where she needs to be near you. I understand that sometimes you simply need your hands for other things - that's the nature of being a mom! Try the sling or a Snuggly.

Answer 2

It's not a habit, it's a human need. Babies have been used to being carried in a warm, close environment since their conception. They are used to the sounds and smells of their mothers, and the rocking motion feels very comfortable for them.

Read the book "Happiest Baby on the Block."

You might try swaddling - that works very well to make them feel secure. And then buy a swing, put the baby in there and let her rock all secure in there. You might need to only do it for 5 minutes today, then 6 tomorrow, then 7, and build up some time.

But mostly, the baby wants to be close to her mommy and daddy, and has an innate need to be cuddled and loved. Please remember that they are only little for a very short time, don't rush to make them independent (they will be plenty independent at 2, believe me!)

Oh, and Crying it out is way to advanced for a 7 week old. They do not have the cognitive abilities to understand that you will not come. Even the experts say about 4 months is the earliest you should try this.

Answer 3

There is a really fantastic book out called "The Happiest Baby on the Block" written by a pediatrician named Dr. Harvey Karp. This is also available on DVD. I wouldn't have been able to survive without it, and highly recommend that you get it.

His theory, which worked for me and alot of other parents I know, is that until a baby is about 3 months old they need to be carried and rocked as much as possible. They are in the womb being rocked and carried for 9 months straight and now they are born into a cold place where the rocking and carrying is literally cut in half overnight!

Dr. Karp's theory is that the first three months of a baby's life should be called the fourth trimester--simply put, they aren't very well equipped to deal with life well during those first months (some are better than others) and need the cuddling and cradling. Over those three months they develop coping skills to deal with what are actually devastating changes (to them). The cuddling and cradling actually helps them to develop trust and gives them self confidence to continue to grow emotionally and eventually do perfectly well in the world.

Once they are past 3 months, however, they begin to "manipulate" their world. (Most experts will agree that there is no way a baby can manipulate before that time). And that is when it is healthy to let them cry a bit, let them learn how to soothe themselves, but still let them know that you are there and that you love them.

I cannot begin to do justice to his book/DVD, so I really hope you'll give it a try. You'll give yourself peace of mind and be glad that you did!

All the best.

Answer 4

At 7 weeks old you really need to be close to your baby i raise my niece and nephews so i no but its not good
for them to get used to it babies arent dumb they no if they got a good use of transportaion which would be u in that case it might be a little longer for them to start crawling or even walking because they no ul do it for them my cousin went through the same thing now her baby is 11 months and is just learning how to crawl n sit up on his own so dont carry n pick her up whenever she cries it never hurts for a baby to cry so next time try changing her diaper or feeding her THEN lay her back down im not sayin jus feed her then put her to bed everytime but do it once in a while shell get over that stage trust me shes still newborn right now!

Answer 5

This is a hard stage, but you will learn how to manage. Your baby does need to be held all the time. Get some help, let others hold him, buy a sling and find some time for yourself. It's OK to let him cry if you feel very frustrated or overwhelmed, but calm yourself down and go rescue him quickly. Are you going for walks? Walking is magical therapy for a new mom. Remember that this period in your baby's life will pass quickly in the scheme of his whole life. You can get through it!

Answer 6

7 weeks?!? Rock the baby, girl. If not you, Dad, grandma, somebody. A child that small needs the feeling of safety and security that comes from close contact. At 7 months you start to put them down and let them have some privacy. But, 7 weeks she needs you.

Answer 7

Stop carrying her around and rocking her to sleep all of the time. Let other people know that you don't want her held all of the time, when she is asleep she needs to be laying down in her crib(or wherever she sleeps). Of course you hold her to feed her, but once she is done feeding, if she is sleeping, lay her down. Of course I am not saying don't ever hold your child, you have to sometimes, but if your family is like mine, everyone wants to just hold her and pass her around. She is used to being held and rocked. You have to break this early or she will continue with this and it will be harder to break her of it later. It is ok for babies to cry, alot of people don't want to hear their baby cry, but if you know that she is fed, changed, and not feverish, or whatever.....let the child cry a little. It will strengthen her lungs and she will get used to not being held as much.

Answer 8

Oh yeah you need to get a grip on this now or you will be screwed. Try laying her in the cradle on her stomch if she has any form of gas in her this will help with it no gas than put her in there and rock her while she is in there also try putting her in a swing this was a miracle helper for me if she really starts to cry dont laugh at this but put the vaccum on everytime my baby threw a fit i would either lay her down or put her in the swing on in one of them little vibrating chairs and she would calm down. Good luck and congrats

Answer 9

Your baby likes to be close...remember she had that in the womb. Enjoy rocking and holding her because before you know it she's going to be independent. But if you need to get things done around the house, etc...swaddle her in a blanket, turn on some music, and lay her in the crib...(Do you have a cradle swing? My daughter loved that) it is okay to let her fuss,

Answer 10

if you don't want to rock and carry your baby, give it up for adoption.
It's not a habit fer crying out loud, it's being human: everyone wants attention and affection and to be entertained.

If you "break" this "habit" then you're asking for a lifetime of trouble with a kid who will do anything to get attention.