5wk old is fine during the night but wont settle during the day.

[pinhill24]

DD2 is driving me mad! I know I am very lucky to have a baby that sleeps well at night (only wakes twice, DD2 still wakes twice but that is another issue altogether!) but he will not settle during the day unless he is being cuddled or we are walking in the pram. DD1 has been very reasonable about this up to now, but he is understandably getting very frustrated by it now. Does any one have any ideas that do not involve holding him all day? I use the front carrier if I'm walking around but its no good when i need to sit and play with DD1. Do baby swings work? Any ideas gratefully recieved!

I was going to suggest sling but see you're already doing that.

Have you tried swaddling? I never did with mine but maybe will give LO the feeling of closeness she seems to be craving?

Where are you trying to get her to settle? In a cot or moses basket away from you? DS2 settled better if he was in his bouncy seat and could see DS1 and I playing. A colleague said his would settle better into moses basket if he put in hot water bottle first so was warm and cozy (felt more like being next to a person) when put in it. That was when they had fallen asleep in sling/pushchair first.

Hope you find something that works soon!

Does he have a full tummy? Is he being over stimulated? My eldest slept all night but cried all day and it's because I didn't bf him enough and didn't recognise the signs of tiredness. Have you tried the fajita wrap? This is where you lie them in a blanket but at the level of their armpits. Then fold the blanket round them under their arms then tuck the bottom up and on top of their legs. My 2 hated being swaddled properly with their arms restricted but they loved the security & warmth of the fajita!! Also you may have to accept that he wants his mummy close for a few weeks!! x

I'm having the same with my 8 week old. Have bought a sheepskin for dd2 to sleep/lay on so will see if that helps.

We have a swinging chair dd1 wasn't that fussed but with dd2 she won't sleep in it but will be happy for up to half an hour sometimes.

Think his tummy is full, he eats all the time so will try the swaddling. He is very similar to my eldest and doesnt like to go to sleep, we have to spend ages persuading him to sleep even when he can barely keep his eyes open and he's yawning like a trouper!

My dd2's nearly 12 weeks and I have the same. Sleeps v well at night but has to be in the sling for naps. I can't be arsed rocking and putting up with lots of crying this time, so so far, I'm just going with it, and I've learnt to put dd2 on my back in my ergo carrier, so it makes it a lot easier to do stuff with dd1.

No advice really, just to let you know you're not alone! Dd1 was the same, until I gave her the dummy, but dd2 doesn't want to suck, she just wants to be carried! Oh well, I'll probably miss it when she's crawling around and doesn't want to be picked up.

Another mum of a non-napper here! We've found the swing really helpful, although they're expensive so I'd suggest borrowing one first if you know someone who has one.

The swing seems to be working! Definitely worth the expense. Thank you for all your advice, reassuring to know that my baby is not the only one who didn't read the 'second child is meant to be easier' handbook!