Sleep

Does anyone have any advice on getting DD to sleep. She seems to only sleep on someone's chest. We try to put her down but she wakes up within 5 minutes. At this point I think she is so overtired. I am petrified sheis going tobe sleeping on my chest forever. She is only 4 weeks old - could this be a phase? Any tips?

Re: Sleep

my DD only sleeps in the swing, car seat or on my chest. I thought it was bad too but I think right now its too early to form any bad habits so if we get some sleep then Ill take it for now. She hates being on her back. Try the swing maybe she'll like that.

Re: Sleep

She will grow out of it. I can't say it enough. You can't spoil a newborn. My daughter went through this as have many others. She has grown out of having to be held while she sleeps although we do cosleep sometimes and sometimes she just sleeps in her cradle in our room. At this point your daughter doesn't have the cognitive skill to manipulate or be spoiled. The best thing you can do is give her what she needs. IMO.

Just think she was safe in your womb for 9 months, comforted by warmth, tightness and the sound of your heartbeat. These things are still comforting to her so being help helps her feel safe and relaxed enough to sleep as opposed to being put down in a crib, basinette, or whatever.

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Thanks for the advice. I'll try anything. I just want her to sleep so if that means sleeping on my chest then that will do. I just wanted to see if I was the only one out there with this question.

Re: Sleep

Re: Sleep

Monkeybride is right....you can't spoil a child that small. When they cry and you pick them up that helps them learn to trust.
I am a CASA volunteer (court appointed special advocate) and when we do our trainin we study the affects of what happens when a child is just left to lay. By you holding your child, like I said, that forms a trust.
I have been on cases where a child has REA (reactive attachment disorder) and it is caused from just letting your child lay and not picking them up when they need you.
Your not going to spoil her.
But like the rest said try putting her in a swing or bouncy seat.
(I know you can't hold her all the time!) But don't worry so much.

Re: Sleep

Ryan did the same.... I swaddled him, and let him sleep in his carrier...it worked very well...and we had no problems transitioning him to his cribe when we were all ready!