Bad habits for a 2 week old?

Is there such a thing? The grandparents are here for an extended visit, so Tristan is getting very used to napping on someone's chest - as soon as he's put down he's awake. He's okay in the middle of the night (actually only wakes twice between 9 and 8 or so) goes right back to sleep in his bassinet, it's just during the day. I also notice that I end up feeding him to sleep whether day or night. When things settle down I'm hoping to get him into a schedule, but I'm worried that we're starting with really bad habits. Part of me says you can't really spoil a newborn (he'll be 2 weeks on Thursday) but another part thinks it will be hell to get him to settle once I'm on my own (also Thursday when my parents leave). any thoughts?

Re: Bad habits for a 2 week old?

I personally don't think you can get "bad" habits at 2 weeks old. Think about where the baby just came from - a nice warm, soft, cozzy place. Love and hold the baby - they are only little for so long

Re: Bad habits for a 2 week old?

As long as he is sleeping at night for you I would not worry about how he sleeps during the day right now....he is getting used to the outside world. Enjoy the cuddles!

Re: Bad habits for a 2 week old?

At 2 weeks old there is no such thing as bad habits IMO

Re: Bad habits for a 2 week old?

Re: Bad habits for a 2 week old?

Re: Bad habits for a 2 week old?

Not to worry - no bad habits yet! At this point, it's pretty much do what you need to do to make their life easier (becuase that makes your life easier!)

And I do advocate starting a schedule....but not just yet....let him get used to life outside of Mommy's uterus a little first

And, ummmmmm, we need more pictures!

Re: Bad habits for a 2 week old?

No such thing! I held Cailen all the time at 2 weeks old!

Re: Bad habits for a 2 week old?

I wouldn't worry at all, just enjoy your warm bundle!!

Re: Bad habits for a 2 week old?

just be careful...IMO...ds is 6 weeks old...and for the most part he sleeps longer and i feel better...when i have him sleep on my chest and nap together....but if i dot hold him his naps are VERY short...he cries and looks for me...which i dont mind so sometimes to cheat him i let him nap on his stomach and watch him...just so he can have the comfort...

Re: Bad habits for a 2 week old?

IMO you can't spoil a 2 week old. I used to BF my DS and he would fall asleep on the boppy pillow snuggled up to me. I used to leave him there and watch a movie. He slept best when he felt your warmth next to him.
He is 5 months now and has no problem napping, or going down at night by himself.

Re: Bad habits for a 2 week old?

DS was (and is!) the same way, but at 5 weeks started STTN and so I don't really mind holding him all day so long as I get my sleep at night. I'm working from home and even perfected the art of holding him and working on my laptop at the same time.

I don't think you can start bad habits at that age. I absolutely hated the first 4 weeks, btw--he cried and I didn't know what was wrong, was irregular with sleeping...He hit 5 weeks and it was like a switch was turned--he started smiling and laughing, rarely cries, and sleeps through the night. A total joy. Next time I am going to ask that the hospital keep the baby the first month.

Re: Bad habits for a 2 week old?

Posted by Palebride

Not to worry - no bad habits yet! At this point, it's pretty much do what you need to do to make their life easier (becuase that makes your life easier!)

And I do advocate starting a schedule....but not just yet....let him get used to life outside of Mommy's uterus a little first

And, ummmmmm, we need more pictures!

Re: Bad habits for a 2 week old?

Posted by usuk2004

Posted by Palebride

Not to worry - no bad habits yet! At this point, it's pretty much do what you need to do to make their life easier (becuase that makes your life easier!)

And I do advocate starting a schedule....but not just yet....let him get used to life outside of Mommy's uterus a little first

And, ummmmmm, we need more pictures!

thanks everyone.

Lori - I put some new pics on Facebook.

Re: Bad habits for a 2 week old?

Re: Bad habits for a 2 week old?

My parents stayed with us for 3 weeks after Alexis was born. During the day, her naps were wherever...someone's chest, someone's arms, in her swing, etc... during the night she slept just fine and she still continues to be an awesome napper and nighttime sleeper.


I think he'll be ok as long as you keep putting him in the right place at night to sleep.
Once they leave I'd start working on a schedule. It worked for us/her.

Re: Bad habits for a 2 week old?

I actually do believe that you can pick up bad habits at 2 weeks and at any age. It's all about behavior - what is being reinforced, what is not - this is how children learn what "good" and "bad" behavior is. Same things for tiny little ones too, it's why it is important for them to have routines, so they know what to expect. They will get used to certain things and then expect them and when they don't get what they expect, they cry/fuss. Think about it, when you hear the hungry cry, you feed him, the diaper cry, you change him. They learn quickly that by letting out a certain cry, a specific need will be met.

You can look up some of the principles of child development and behavioral theories to give you a better idea of what I'm talking about.

Re: Bad habits for a 2 week old?

No - at 2 weeks old this is what they NEED. They need to be held a lot, they need to be fed a lot... there will come a time when it's more of a habit rather than a need, but at 2 weeks babies need to be held.