Help! New parent needing advice on starting a routine for a 4 week old

[addictedtodollymixtures]

I am struggling with my 4 week old dd, who seems to only have short, fretful naps during the day and when awake spends much of her time crying. I suspect she is overtired and/or overstimulated (she's feeding well so I don't believe hunger is the problem, and she is windy but Infacol seems to be helping) and I am already developing bad habits in order to soothe her to sleep - mainly breastfeeding her to sleep and letting her sleep on my chest. I know that developing a routine might help (I'm not a Gina Ford fan but am keen to try the Baby Whisperer EASY routine). I know every baby is different but any tips and suggestions on what kind of routine works and how to introduce it would be massively appreciated.

[FabulousBakerGirl]

Sorry, can't help.

4 weeks old and a routine don't go together in my head.

Bimp for you anyway.

[AnarchyAunt]

I don't think feeding to sleep or sleeping on your chest are bad habits. Warmth, closeness, reassurance, full tummy, the comforting sound of your breathing and heart - all these are really important for her. At 4 weeks she is incapable of separating 'wants' from 'needs' - they are one and the same to her.

Have you tried carrying her in a sling when she is awake? This could give her the closeness she needs to feel safe and snuggly and (hopefully) sleeeeepy!

[LIZS]

You aren't getting into bad habits . A 4w eek old's life revolves around eating, sleeping and taking comfort as and when , which is not likely to have any fixed pattern yet. In about two weeks time you can expect a feeding frenzy when she hits the next growth spurt so any sort of pattern you try to create now will get disrupted. She will find her own pattern in time but in the meantime try using a sling and or bouncy chair to keep her more upright between feeds and see if it helps her settle for longer.

[ommmward]

sleep with her. she'll sleep much better. find out about doing it safely from the Ask Dr Sears site :-)

And, sleeping with you and breastfeeding to sleep isn't a bad habit - it's the most natural thing in the world! We may be sophisticated 21st century mothers but we are still giving birth to stone age babies

(I'm not a routine gal, I would tend to follow the baby, certainly for the first 3 months aka the fourth trimester)

[AnarchyAunt]

Oh and a sling should help with wind as well

[HumphreyCobbler]

breastfeeding to sleep isn't a bad habit - or sleeping on your chest! She is so little, honestly just go with what works for you both. As the others have said, slings are great and swaddling can really help too.

[addictedtodollymixtures]

Thanks all - I feel so much better for the reassuring advice! I think I have been a bit hard on myself (and by default, my adorable dd). Seems I should follow my instinct rather than feel pressure to have a routine so early. About time I chilled out!