Clingy 2week old baby

[Jenjen85]

I know babies like cuddles an to be held a lot by my DD who is 2wks old will rarely go down in her Moses basket awake, she likes to be held and will go to sleep but as soon as I put her down 5-10 minutes later she is crying and I have to pick her up. Iv d

[Jenjen85]

Sorry posted before I'd finished!!

Iv done all the usual checked her bum, she's not hungry etc but I'm worried I'm making a rod for my own back by cuddling her to sleep??? As you can probably tell I'm a first time mum so would really appreciate some help and advice

[Locketjuice]

That's pretty general for babies, Try a swing, it was a godsend for ds1 he wanted to be held 24/7 but I used to give him his milk in the swing then put it on and he would happily sleep.. Until it stopped swinging but meant at least I could have a bath etc

[Locketjuice]

And of course your not making a rod for your own back babies like cuddles especially such tiny ones

[MissAntithetic]

Pretty standard :)

Now the only time 10 mo dd comes near me is if I have food or a boob out

A vibrate chair was great for dd for small periods of time.

[tory79]

Cuddle cuddle cuddle. There is no such thing as cuddling a 2 week old too much.

I never put ds down when he was little really, he slept on me as we'll for months. Now at nearly 2 he's a happy independent young thing who puts himself to sleep without a problem.

She's crying because she wants to be held - totally normal.

[LilRedWG]

Cuddle away, DD needs you. She's been so close to you for the past nine months. Enjoy! :)

[Jenjen85]

Thanks ladies, I do have a bouncer but she isn't that keen on being in it although she did sleep for a while in it the other day. I was just worried that she will never want to go down to sleep on her own and ill have to cuddle her to sleep forever (not that I mind)

[Poledra]

I cuddled all mine to sleep until they were about a year old (or in DD2's case, made it clear they wanted to be put down ). She's only tiny, she doesn't realise you're no longer a part of her, she feels lost without you.

Have you tried putting her to nap in the pram? That can work - if they start stirring, you can jiggle the pram a bit to get them back off to sleep while you need to get stuff done (like going to the loo, eating etc ). Or, as long as you;re happy to, you can sit there and cuddle your beautiful baby while she sleeps and you read/watch crap telly/marvel at how perfect she is.

Congratulations!

[TheDeadlyDonkey]

Get yourself a sling like a moby wrap, it means you can get stuff done whilst your baby is close to you.

[FrussoHathor]

She's normal. You are her whole world, and she like to know you are always there.
Slings are also good for tiny babies, as you can have your hands free.

[Jenjen85]

I have tried her pram and she likes being outside in the nice weather (in the shade that is). Think I'm just worrying as its DH first day back at work today so feeling a bit emotional an with not having a lot of sleep recently think its just getting to me a bit

[MortifiedAdams]

Could you try swaddling?

[Mummysaysno]

Ditto the good responses here. For me baby (7 weeks) is in the sling for about 80% of the time that she is not feeding. Only in the last week or so will she spend minutes on the playmat or chair...but it is minutes.

The sling (baby bjorn) is priceless for me!

Don't worry about spoiling them...I have three older children, and none of them expect to be held all the time (although they do all still like cuddles, but in a good way!!!)

[Eskino]

She's more likely to be able to sleep by herself happily and securely when she's a little bit older if you give her as many cuddles and hold her all you can in these early months.

At 2 weeks old she needs the security of your smell and your breathing, just being close will help to create a sense in her that help is near if she needs it when she's older and she'll grow to be a secure and confident girl in time.

Enjoy your new baby!

[FrussoHathor]

Take it easy and slowly, don't do too much at first, no-one is expecting you to.
It is okay to just forget everything except gazing at her all day. You'll slowly get into the swing of going out and doing things, but for now just enjoy her, and do nothing. (Unless of course you feel like it)

[peggyundercrackers]

i wish mine was 2 weeks old again and wanted cuddled to sleep - cherish it... they grow up very quickly.

[pettyprudence]

my ds spent his first 5 weeks only sleeping on me. then he decided he'd had enough and would only sleep in his cot/pram and if he couldn't see me he's 2 now and still cant sleep next to anyone (even in separate beds). enjoy it while it lasts

[ksrwr]

just go with it, its completely normal. my dd was attached to me for the first few months, both awake and asleep... when they grow out of it, you miss it

[QTPie]

At that age, the more you give them the affection that they crave (hold them, cuddle them), then there is a great chance that they will turn into a confident, I dependent child (because they know that you are there for them and that their needs will be met when they do need it).

DS used to nap ion me or in the pram/car until 6 months, then it was in the pram until 14 months (used to push him backwards and forwards across the tiled floor in the conservatory), then he would nap in his cot from 14 months until almost 3.5 years. Self settled from about 20 months (before that would hold his hand to go to sleep). Was never a chore and he is so independent and self-confident (perhaps too much!).

Do what works for you and your baby. But don't stress anything at the moment: 2 weeks is very young abc you are both finding your feet :)

[flamingtoaster]

My DS cried inconsolably if put down when awake until he was six weeks old (I still remember the first time I went to the loo without him crying!). So I held him all day - handed him to DH as soon as he came in in the evening so I could cook - and we just gave DS what he needed. At six weeks he then turned into the happiest, easiest, most contented baby I could have wishes for. Your DD just needs reassurance and it won't last long.

[Kafri]

Please don't fret about the whole rod for your own back thing. If I had a penny for every time I heard that.... well, i'd have DS university fees covered already and he's only 7m.

He would not be put down for love nor money, nor would he sleep on his back (reflux). He slept upright on us until he was 8w old and then gradually we managed to get him to sleep on his tummy. At this point DH and I continued the shifts we were doing to keep an eye on him while he slept. Then, as he got stronger, we become more comfortable with him sleeping on his tummy.

All your DD has known is being comforted and swayed 24 hours a day and all of a sudden she's out in the big wide world and has to get used to so many new things - is it any wonder that she's craving what she's familiar with? It can be difficult, I literally couldn't put DS down while I peed without coming back to a screaming mess. It doesn't last forever - DS will happily sit and play with his toys and he goes to sleep in his cot each nap time and night time

Your DD is far too young to be manipulating you in any way, it's just what she needs right now - just like he nappy changes and feeds. Just add it to the list of what she needs from you right now and it doesn't seem so bad. You feed her when she's hungry, you change her when she's dirty and you cuddle her when she need comfort - simple

Good luck with DD

[Sunnysummer]

A sling was also a lifesaver for me! The soft moby or ring ones are perfect for newborns, and let you get up and about (or even just up to the loo) without waking or upsetting the baby. At 3 months DS is happy to be put down to play but still loves the slings - we're even able to bf while doing other stuff around the house, it is so handy! It does get easier

[MrsPercyPig]

A 2 week old baby isn't 'clingy', they just want their mum! Cuddle as much as baby wants!

If you were writing this in 10 years time, there might be an issue!

[CailinDana]

I cuddled a bfed ds to sleep till he was 1 and he decided he wanted his own space :( He now (at 2) goes to bed and tells me to go away! 5mo dd is currently sleeping on me. I could put her in the cot but i don't want to. Buy a good box set and prepare to wear a nice deep arse groove in the sofa :)

[ZebraZeebra]

There's no such thing as a clingy baby - especially not at two weeks old! As has been said already, Shea craving your touch because it's the only thing she wants and can make her feel safe. How gratifying is that? 😃

Cuddle, cuddle, cuddle and dismiss this Victorian era nonsense about making a rod for your back. I barely put DS down from the minute he was born and now at almost nine months, he just wants to be off exploring. No cuddles for me anymore! Enjoy it while it lasts. I know it can be a bit overwhelming and maybe sometimes you need your own space but believe me - what you're doing now is creating the secure attachment that will give her the confidence to go off and explore in several months time too.