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Getting Baby to sleep
My little girl is now 2 months old. At two weeks she was sleeping about six hours during the night. We had to put her in the crib in the boppy in order for her to sleep that long. She has gotten used to it and just recently started moving a lot more. She used to stay put in it and we had no problems and I didn't even begin to worry about her during the night. Two nights in a row when I woke up after she was crying to eat I noticed her head was where he butt should be. So I decided she would no longer sleep in it b/c I was worried that she might not be able to breathe when she would get into that position. So we started putting her to sleep on her back in the crib again. She is now only sleeping like 3 to 4 hours and it is really hard on me seeing that I was used to getting that 6 hours of sleep in every night. I don't want anyone to think that I am a bad parent b/c I let me child sleep in a boppy, but that was the ONLY thing that she would sleep in so we did what we had to do. Does anyone have any suggestions on how to get her to sleep longer like she did before? She has been doing this for a week now and I need to find something that will help her. She sleeps in between a positioner so she can't rollover, but she is always moving her legs and arms and ends up at the top of the crib instead of where I originally put her. Now I put her head touching the top of the crib so she doesn't work her way out of the positioner. I just need some advice!
You should try to have your baby sleep on her own without any devices as soon as possible. Bobby's and other positioners only inhibit a baby's development of important muscles in the back and neck. They can lead to a limited range of movement and delay some large motor skills like lifting and turning her head during tummy time as well as reaching and eventually scooting. Babies are suposed to move, and restricting their movement isn't a good idea as they get older. You may have to stay with her and coo soft words to her until she falls back to sleep on her own.
I highly suggest swaddling your baby. She is probably startling herself awake. I also highly suggest the video/book "The Happiest Baby On the Block". It was/is a life saver for me. It explains how a baby is really in a "fourth tri-mester" when they come out of the womb and how we need to mimick the womb to help them adjust. The doctor also shows you how to get a good swaddle with a regular blanket, and not having to purchase one of the special blankets.
I've found that babies go through stages of sleep. My son started sleeping through the night when he was 9 weeks old. Then all of a sudden when he was 7 months, he stopped. This went on until he was 11 months old! He is now 19 months and has been sleeping through the night since (except for teething or sickness). Anyway, I know that the book Babywise is very contriversal among parents, but I LOVE IT! I would advise you to read it. It's the best advise I could give. It has done nothing but work for us. Also, something I have learned from Babywise is that it's ok to let your child cry. I don't mean you have to let them cry for hours, but your child is not going to be damaged if you let her cry on her own. It develops security and independance. What I mean is, try putting her down while she is awake and if she starts to cry, let her cry. Of course, you know your childs crys and what you can handle so do what you think is best. She will eventually teach herself how to go to sleep on her own. Like I said, I've done this with my son since he was a week old. They don't cry for long...don't think I'm cruel..haha It doesn't take long for them to learn=) I hope this helps and that you don't think I'm cruel!haha But do get "On Becoming Babywise"...it's a life saver and I think it would make a difference!
COMMUNITY LEADER
The Babies R Us website has reviews of products (written by average folks) and the swaddlers get reviews like "I couldn't have made it without this" and stuff. So if the problem is that the baby wants to be securely enclosed, this is very likely to help.
Thank you! I did not know that they made blankets just for that purpose! That is how I was talking about wrapping them in a blanket... I didn't know they made blankets just for that! That is so COOL. (It's been 5 years since I had a baby. LOL)
I will DEFINTELY be getting my cousin one! She's 8 months pregnant.
I will DEFINTELY be getting my cousin one! She's 8 months pregnant.
I am attaching a link. I couldn't think of what it was called it looks like a wedge kind of but has two pads on it one on each side and they velcrow so there easy to move to support the baby from not rolling over or turning upside down like your worried about. I freaked out about SIDS so here is what I used. You can get them at babiesrus. I hope this helps or atleast gives you an idea. I used it with both kids plus I will use it with number 3 in a few months..
Congrats on your baby by the way.
http://www.toysrus.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2267019&cp=2255984.2256208
Congrats on your baby by the way.
http://www.toysrus.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2267019&cp=2255984.2256208
COMMUNITY LEADER
They make these great swaddlers, which hold the baby close and make her feel secure. Try Babys R Us; they have swaddles in general and one sleepsack plus swaddle. They basically are all shaped blankets with room to kick, but with velcro to close tightly around the baby so she feels snug. Good luck!
I don't have any babies yet either but I have friends that put their babies in the swings. That worked too. Hope you get some sleep.
Try putting her in her car seat. That's what our pediatrician told us to do because my child had reflux/croup and he needed to be elevated. Make sure to strap her in so she doesn't fall out. We just popped the baby seat right into the crib...worked great. However, once you find out that everything is normal (no reflux, etc.) try to get baby to sleep on her own. It's just hard to break habits once you begin them.
There are two possibilities, that I see.
She could have reflux. Maybe that is why sleeping on a flat surface upsets her so. I have it myself and cannot sleep flat.
The other may be that she likes the feeling of being surrounded/held. At her age, that is not unusual. There is a way to snuggle her in a blanket, so that she feels nice and secure and also doesn't move as much, in her sleep. Babies can wake themsleves up just by jerking an arm or a leg.
She could have reflux. Maybe that is why sleeping on a flat surface upsets her so. I have it myself and cannot sleep flat.
The other may be that she likes the feeling of being surrounded/held. At her age, that is not unusual. There is a way to snuggle her in a blanket, so that she feels nice and secure and also doesn't move as much, in her sleep. Babies can wake themsleves up just by jerking an arm or a leg.
Thanks to all for the advice. She is just waking up. She isn't hungry...I thought maybe at first she was going through a grow spurt again and thats why, but when I try to feed her she just eats about an ounce or two and then falls back asleep again. She normally eats around six to seven ounces every feeding. She does like her head to be elevated a little bit I guess, b/c she loves her swing, bouncy seat, & bobby. She only likes to lay flat on her activity mat and she has only fallen asleep twice on that thing. I am willing to try anything, so I will try some of the things you all told me. She sleeps with me sometimes...only when there is nothing else that works. She does love to be close to me. She is spoiled rotten, but I love her so much and I don't like to hear her cry for too long, so I spend lots of time with her. I stay at home with her too so she sees me 24/7! Thanks again!
The boppy would position her on her back with her head elevated. I would try putting her to sleep in the bouncer. She will stay in the same position, but make sure you use the restraints. My infants would sleep hours in these. They are also light weight, and easy to set in their crib. It was a good safe move to get rid of the boppy. In addition, if you are breastfeeding, set a nursing pad next to her that has breastmilk on it. She will smell the milk, and it will comfort her to think you are close to her.
My daughter had the same problem as a baby. Not to worry you, but she is now six and still wakes up at night! Some babies like the feeling of closeness. Does this sound like your infant? Mine crawled into bed with us for years, and we were only able to get her totally on her own when she was old enough to reason with. I pretty much allowed her in my bed, because I had to work and needed sleep. Anyways, because she likes closeness, I used to put one of my shirts in her crib with her, so she could smell me. It worked great. If she is too young for that, you could try warming up a blanket and laying that down under her. Maybe she still needs the comfort of the mother's womb. Hope you make out!
Is your baby waking up tp eat or is she just waking up? I have heard of some people putting a little cereal in their formula or milk to thicken it up to possibly fill the baby up a little longer at night, but I know there are some people that are against it.
oh, okay. My friend has one of those. She used it to nurse. They didn't have them when my kids were little. We used a pillow.
I don't think you are a bad parent. I used a basinett for a few months. I didn't put anything in there with them , because I was afraid they would sufficate.She will get used to something else. she might go a few night's of getting up, but in time she will be okay. They make so many different contraptions now, maybe someone with smaller children will be able to tell you some more info. Congrat's on your little angle!
I don't think you are a bad parent. I used a basinett for a few months. I didn't put anything in there with them , because I was afraid they would sufficate.She will get used to something else. she might go a few night's of getting up, but in time she will be okay. They make so many different contraptions now, maybe someone with smaller children will be able to tell you some more info. Congrat's on your little angle!
lucylocket2: A boppy is a half moon shaped pillow people use for nursing or propping a baby, etc. It has several uses.
Jah022: No suggestions. No little ones yet. But, don't think your a bad parent because you use a boppy. When you bring a baby home, you'll try anything to get peace and quiet, so I've been told. So you do what works. Maybe someone else can give you some advice. We are taught to do the best we can.
Jah022: No suggestions. No little ones yet. But, don't think your a bad parent because you use a boppy. When you bring a baby home, you'll try anything to get peace and quiet, so I've been told. So you do what works. Maybe someone else can give you some advice. We are taught to do the best we can.
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