How do I introduce a sleep routine for a 6/7 week old?

[Insomnimummy]

I need help - I have no idea how to introduce a sleep routine to my 6 week old daughter. I have tried putting her in her bed (warmed up ready) after her first evening feed, keeping the room quiet and dark and waiting till she falls asleep. The problem is she doesn't sleep - she just lays there screaming and I can't stand it.
Most nights I end up asleep on the sofa with her on my chest.

Please help me - how does this whole thing work?

[RalphRecklessCardew]

It doesn't. Well, not at six weeks anyway. Routines come a lot later.

That's not very helpful, I know. I found getting a rocking base to the moses basket really helped at this stage.

[RalphRecklessCardew]

Also, if you're already sleeping with her it's a very very good idea to look up safe co-sleeping.

[Hawkmoth]

Try not to fall asleep on the sofa, it's not recommended.

You could maybe look at a more planned approach to co-sleeping. It's certainly saved (well nearly anyway) my sanity.

[BikeRunSki]

At 6 weeks, just have her with you, take her to bed when you go. She will slept longer and get into more or a routine when she is a bit older. Maybe 3 months, maybe 6. Or something completely different. Just go with it.

[jazzandh]

At that age with my two I used to sit upstairs in a darkened room (with Tv on low) and cluster feed, while the baby dozed, fed etc, comfort sucked......

It solved the screaming crying mid-evening cycle and was quite relaxing for me.

[Sammie101]

I read that 6 weeks is too young for a routine however that's when I started DD's routine and it's never harmed her

With the screaming, does she take a dummy? My DD screams like a banshee at night until she gets hers we get the odd night (like tonight) when she goes down and won't take it and she talks and just drops off to sleep

[ReticulatingSplines]

You don't. Difficult to do. We tried with DD. Check out the baby whisperer forum if you want some help and ideas for gently starting a routine.

[OddFodd]

You don't. Small babies are like goldfish - they remember nothing from one day to the next. So you either go with her flow or you make your lives utter misery. I advocate the former

[Insomnimummy]

Thank you for the advice so far.

The information is so confusing - my health visitor said I should be introducing a sleep routine between 6 & 8 weeks! I'm so glad to hear you say not to bother until 3-6 months, this fits better with what I feel is right.
For now I'll stick with the swinging cradle and co-sleeping. As for the dummy, she will only take it when she is really distressed she prefers to succk on my little finger.

[MrChow]

Don't listen to your HV, IMO they cause more anxiety than help and I sometimes wondered if mine was sponsored by Gina ford


I would forget routine just now. As someone else posted don't sleep on a sofa with the baby, it's not safe but you can do it safely in your bed. Google dr sears co sleeping, and Sarah ockwell-smith for some excellent resources that are baby friendly and tend to do what your instincts tell you.

[Parliamo]

Waste of energy one, my baby slept beautifully at 6 weeks. 6 months later I still haven't been to sleep yet tonight despite coming to bed at 8.30 and haven't had more than 5 hours broken sleep in weeks. Enjoy the cuddles, learn to nap in the day while you don't have others to deny you.

[ReticulatingSplines]

Your HV is wrong. You don't have to have a routine EVER. We like routine in this house. It fits well with our family so we choose to have one. Many, many people choose not to and their parenting choice is equally valid.

[Insomnimummy]

Thank you all so much for putting my mind at rest over this issue.

I think you're right - HV's and other 'experts' can make things ten times worse for new parents, with their advice on what to do with a 'textbook' baby. How many of us had one of those?!