My daughter has slept in bed with me since she came home from the hospital. I love sleeping next to her and I'm not worried about rolling on her or anything like that. But lately I've noticed she won't fall asleep at night unless she is right up against me with my arm around her. How can I get her to fall asleep without me?
2007-12-06 13:08:51 · 19 answers · asked by Freaked out 3 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Newborn & Baby
no it's NOT a bad habit....it's healthy and biologically normal
but you can swaddle her up and hold her against you and lay her on her side
you can breastfeed her to sleep
but above all enjoy her.....she won't be this little forever and you want to look back on her young years with fondness instead how much you fought her
edit.....and i wanted to strongly correct the idiot who said to let her cry and that letting her cry now will make her cry less later on
that is crap! and false
making her feel secure NOW will set her up for healthy emotional and mental development and make her less likely to cry
i still sleep my 5 year old and she is TOO independent....and yeah we also comfort nursed until 3.5 years
2007-12-06 13:17:18 · answer #1 · answered by ? 6 · 9⤊ 0⤋
Whether this is a bad habit or not is all up to you. Everyone has different opinions about co-sleeping. If the parent(s) want to co-sleep with their baby I see nothing wrong with it. I honestly have done this with my daughter who is now 2 years old. On and off that is. In my experience it was harder afterwards to get her to sleep in her crib so when she was still little I would hold her till she fell asleep and then when she was a little older I would let her fall asleep next to me and then when she was sleeping I would put her in her crib. Now she sleeps in her toddler bed but still wants to crawl into bed with mommy and daddy every morning. The only little problem I have is when mommy and daddy want some alone time the last thing we want is our daughter in our bed but that situation is easily fixable and nothing to fuss about. so basically if you feel it is a good thing to do and don't mind it than it's fine! Once she gets older she will want her own bed anyway and she will probably have to tell you to leave lol! They are only this young once so enjoy it while it lasts.
2007-12-06 13:51:31 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
Funny - my son is 7 weeks and I was thinking the same thing. I nurse so it is just much easier to have the baby right there. I am a VERY light sleeper (always have been) so I know I won't roll on him. I co-slept with all of my kids, but it isn't for everyone. I also have a bassinet next to me that I use on some nights. In my opinion, babies need A LOT of time with mommy, so you're doing fine. Worry later.
2007-12-06 13:37:39 · answer #3 · answered by downinmn 5 · 7⤊ 0⤋
You are doing a good thing... co-sleeping has been proven to build a better bond between parent and child and helps babies sleep better at night. I would advise however, that you keep baby in a cradle or bassinet next to your bed. I do sleep with my son on my chest for part of the night, usually after his 5 or 6 am feeding. At this age, they do not get into habits that fast, so I wouldn't worry too much. If she does not fall asleep without you holding her, try lying with her and a blanket for awhile and put her to bed with that same blanket. And if you are nursing, keep that blanket around her while you are nursing. The scent of you on the blanket may help her to calm herself. But either way, at this age, you can't hold a baby too much or spoil her. Do what YOU are comfortable with! Good luck and congrats on the new baby!!!!
2007-12-06 13:17:21 · answer #4 · answered by Panda Mama 3 · 10⤊ 0⤋
You are only starting a bad habit if this is a behavior you do not want to persist. Some people like having a family bed, some find it intrusive. You first need to decide what is right for your family. Then, if the answer is getting her to sleep by herself, I would recommend swaddling.
Also, seven weeks is a tough age for sleep for newborns - they are going through a transitional period and a growth spurt. May be that it rights itself if you start her in her own bed after 8 or 9 wks.
2007-12-06 13:28:04 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 4⤊ 1⤋
some view it as a bad habit. i dont, my almost 4 month old sleeps with me the 2nd half of most nights. getting her to fall asleap alone want easy, but it wasnt that hard. i got a big "thing" like a nightlight that plays soft music and lights up and has a waterfall in the rainforest. i give kayla a bath, rock her a while then lay her down with her "thing" on. for the first few days she cried for 1-2 hours, after that, piece of cake.
2007-12-06 14:03:45 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
No, you're not starting a bad habit. You're starting a *good* habit. Your daughter will be safe next to you, and will grow up feeling secure. While she is little, she does need you to help her fall asleep. Rest assured that she will be able to fall asleep by herself when she is developmentally ready to do so.
Enjoy your new baby!
2007-12-06 13:25:21 · answer #7 · answered by daa 7 · 5⤊ 0⤋
It is NOT a bad habit. My daughter is almost three and has slept with us from day one. Our new baby will sleep in the cosleeper beside us. Do not listen to these people telling you that it is a bad thing. Whatever works for your family is the right thing.
2007-12-06 13:29:56 · answer #8 · answered by Stuck in the middle of nowhere 7 · 7⤊ 0⤋
Maybe you can start with nap time. Try getting her to sleep for a daytime nap without you holding her, be in the room, you can even sing her to sleep or lay next to her without holding her. If that douesn't work try rubbing her back and tummy and slowly backing off with contact until she learns she doesn't need to be held to fall asleep. Good luck!
2007-12-06 13:18:23 · answer #9 · answered by Alexa's Mom 4 · 1⤊ 2⤋
You DON"T have to get her to fall asleep without you. What you are doing is NORMAL and HEALTHY.
It's supporting your breastfeeding relationship and helping her feel secure.
Check our some stuff by Dr. Jack Newman and Dr William Sears. Both are advocates of the family bed.
Congrats on your baby...you are forming GOOD habits.
2007-12-06 13:14:40 · answer #10 · answered by Adoptionissadnsick 4 · 11⤊ 1⤋