Use of sling

[BonaDea]

DS is 5 weeks old. I have a moby wrap and just have a question about how you use your sling.

I got it in the first place before he was born so that i could have hands free for some or of the day and / or in case he was a very clingy baby. I also figured that it was good, easy entertainment in that he could see what was happening and I could chat to him while getting on with stuff.

In reality I have found that if I put him in it he just conks out. Therefore if he hasn't napped for example i find myself thinking 'oh I'll just whack him in the sling'. I don't really know what my issue is with this - it's like I feel I am fooling him somehow or making him sleep when he doesn't want to or wouldn't naturally be sleeping.

I assume I am basically worrying over nothing. He's in it for no more than an hour or so a day I guess.

[AnathemaDevice]

You've found an easy way to get your baby to sleep-just go with it! ! He's still tiny, so will spend a lot of time sleeping, wherever he is. Believe me, all too soon he'll be telling you if he doesn't want to sleep.

DD had most of her naps in the sling until she was about 5 months old, I'm planning on doing the same with DS2 (currently 11weeks). I wish I'd had a good sling when DS1 was born, he was a terrible sleeper.

[dyslexicdespot]

I am not sure what I would have done with DS without my sling. He lived in it until he was more mobile at about 5 months, when he started crawling.

He took all of his naps in a sling until he was about 9 months. Boy do I miss the sling days!

[BonaDea]

Ah! Glad it's not just me then!!

[5madthings]

Mine all slept in the moby wrap! Loved it, as he gets older he will stay awake more but he feels cosy, safe and secure snuggled up in the sling so its natural.that will help him sleep :)

[twinklyfingers]

Do what you need to to get your baby to sleep in the early days. My baby would only take naps in the sling until she was 4mo. Also, you will be able to wean your ds off sling naps and onto cot naps if and when it's right for both of you, I kept hearing the rod for your own back stuff, but the important thing just now is your getting him used to taking naps.

Your ds is very sensible - obviously the best place to sleep is snuggled up on mummy!

[KatAndKit]

Mobys are so good for settling newborns to sleep. Your baby is in the "4th Trimester" - they like anything that reminds them of being pregnant (snuggled up close to you, hearing your heartbeat, feeling the rhythm of your chest rise and fall as you breathe, the motion when you walk) - no wonder its their favourite place to sleep.
Newborns need plenty of sleep and you don't want a cranky overtired baby and there is no harm at all for being in a sling a few hours a day. My DS had loads of sling naps in the early months - I do miss it now as he seems to prefer to nap in the buggy - still likes the sling as a nice way to go for a walk and have a good nosy around.