My daughter Clara is just 2 weeks old and initially we had her sleeping in the bassinette in our room; which she slept okay in, but still not very well. Most of the time she would just wake up again after I put her down after feeding her. Well after maybe a week I decided I wanted to start putting her in her crib instead, because with my first daughter I remember that she slept alot better in her crib anyway. The first few nights she seemed to sleep pretty well there, but now (last night especially) she wakes up for the most part within a minute or two of me putting her down in her crib after nursing her. And she seems hungry still. But I have figured out that it's that she just wants to keep sucking. So today I tried a pacifer and it worked like a charm and she feel asleep with it. But now tonight she keeps losing the pacifer and I have to keep putting it back in her mouth which obviously is no fun either. What I don't get is that she'll sleep perfectly fine for a good couple hours or so in her bouncy chair or car seat...why not the crib? Is there a good way to transition her after nursing her so that she will stay asleep? I got maybe an hour of sleep last night and need to know how to change this. I'm so frustrated! Please help.
Have you tried swaddling her? She may like the close, secure feeling a bouncy chair or carseat gives her. Swaddling may give her that same feeling and help her sleep better in her crib. Since it is summer use a thin swaddling blanket so she doesn't get too warm. You could also swaddle her and try the bassinet again as well since she is still very young.
Hi A.,
Although I never swaddled any of my children, I do agree that it might help. My grandson loved to be swaddled, and has always slept very well in his crib, in his own room. I'm not much for the bassinet thing in the parent's room...I believe they sleep better in their own room, and so will you and your husband. Besides in a couple of months they will just have to adjust again, so why not start them out there....avoid the adjustment at an older age, when it might be a little harder. I, also, believe that it is easier to let them learn how to put themselves to sleep from the start, rather than wait until they can stand up and move around in their crib. I know some think this is mean, but what is the difference between now and later, as long as their tummies are full, their diapers are dry, and they have no other medical problems there is no difference between now and later...plus, it makes a happier baby, and a happier baby make a happier family.
C.
I have recently been introduced to a product that I didn't know was out there that may be helpful. It is like a baby hammock. The website is ambybaby.com. It keeps them snuggled and the slight movements they make will cause the "bed" to gently rock her back to sleep. Not too familiar with it but I know I will definitely look into for my next baby. Hang in there!
I would say try swaddling her (we LOVE the miracle blanket) and we used a heated rice pack to warm the spot our daughter was going to sleep before we put her down, it seemed to reduce the shock of being put down. A different type of pacifier might be easier for her to keep in her mouth.
Congratulations on your new arrival and good for you for nursing! Keep it up.
Newborns need to be very close to Mom, so keep the basinette in your room and keep baby close. The best advice at that stage came from Dr. Sears. I read Night Time Parenting and it saved me and got me some precious sleep again. The Web site, askdrsears.com has everything about this topic you need. We kept our babies close and nursed them on demand. They are happy healthy, well adjusted kids and we are so glad for our choices.
The days are long, but the years are short when it comes to raising children. Hang in there and read Dr. Sears.
Congrat and good luck!
J.
