newborn sleeping habits

Hi,

My 7 week old daughter can be very irritable/fussy during the day and does not like to sleep in her crib. When I put her down she wakes up half an hour or an hour later and usually wakes up very fussy. Up until now she was not sleeping during the day at all and would spend most of her day crying even if she was fed and changed (she is an otherwise very healthy baby and is gaining weight properly). I suspect she has colic although I think with colic the crying is mostly in the evening. Anyways, my husband and I have tried many things to put her to sleep in such as a boucy seat,the bassinet and co-sleeping, but nothing would do. We've also tried many techniques to help her go to sleep such as rocking her, swaddling her, and white noise all of which she hates or does not care for. Lately though she's been liking her swing alot and is the only place she will sleep in. At night I sometimes try to put her down in her crib but that almost never works and I end up puting her back in the swing. My question is if it is okay for her to be sleeping in this thing for so many hours? For the last few days she's been sleeping 6-7 hours per night but again she is in her swing. Thanks for any advice.

[2songbirds]

my 2nd DC who's now 2 lived in his swing at nighttime for several months. I had to break him of it b/c of the weight and age limit. I saw nothing wrong w/it. Whatever makes the baby happy makes you happy.

My 3rd DC who's now 4 months old slept in his bouncy seat up until the last month. Now he'll only sleep w/ me just like my 4 yo used to do.

find out what works for the both of you and go with it. You're doing a great job!!

[amberd5191]

My daughter started that too and it was very hard to break, talk with your doctor to see what they say, colic can happen at anytime of the day. Best of luck!

[momma-of-3g1b]

all i could think of when i read your post was the news story of a mom who had put her baby in the swing (it was the kind with the leg holes) and the baby was  too little to have its legs in each hole, the mom fell asleep and the baby slipped down through one leg hole and was strangled to death. i know its a harsh heart breaking story but, i just want you to be aware and be very careful. Maybe you have the new kind of swing where they are more like a basket without leg holes. that would probably be fine then . i would also talk to doctor about the colic, i know first hand it doesnt just happen at night!!  i wish you lots and lots of luck!

[ImmortalOne]

Have you tried taking her for a car ride?  That sometimes helps and I assume the car seat sleeping is better than a swing.

[pixijal]

I would.  I had the same infant as you, and she still wakes up crying at 5 years old.  But, she is the BEST kid in the world when you have to get her up, and go somewhere.  She is so happy, and pops outta bed for kindergarten....

Back on track...Just make sure to follow the saftey precautions, and you will be fine.  Most swings these days have safety straps that will prevent them from slipping or any danger.  My daughter actually slept in the bouncer for the first 4 months.  Or with me, nursing all night like a tick.  
You'll get through this, she doesn't sound colicky at all to me.  

[nanis]

Sue26,I have yet to get a baby swing for my dd (6wks) but notice she is more alert now & does not want to lay down.So buying one for her to interact & see everything going on.Also the rocking is GREAT.She also gets colic & has been spitting up ALOT.My dr said it is o.k but supervised,of course were not going to leave them alone..lol.And plus the newer swings are more secure & ALWAYS, even if small buckle them in.Thats awful about the baby who was strangled.And let me say LUCKY,your baby sleeps 6-7 hrs per night.My Juliana wakes every 3-4 hrs :(.Good luck.

[nikkicole827]

My neice slept in her swing or bouncer seat for a long time.  Leah sleeps in her bouncer seat with teh vibrating setting on.  I have a swing for her but she's still too small for it and I am not comfortable with it yet.  Even less so after momma's story.  I havent even tried putting her in there as I can tell it's just too big yet.  But she's only 3 weeks and not 7 like your girl.  I'm worried that she may be getting colicky as she is getting very fussy in the evenings. It's only been the last two nights though.  She's very quiet all day... babies are a handful that's for sure!  Good luck and I sure hope you find a way to get some sleep!  I hope I do too haha!

[tomel]

They make those small swings that you dont have to worry about her falling...they also recline back more that the big swing...so the baby is more in a lying down position
if its the only way you can get some sleep right now I say go for it....mabye just make sure she is in there securely...have you tried moving her out of it after she is asleep?