help me - my arms are falling off

[elliegirl]

can anyone offer advice on how to get my 8 week old daughter to take daytime naps in her basket rather than in my arms/lying on my chest? she used to sleep in her basket during the day for short periods but in the last three weeks she refuses point blank to do it. am worried that all the holding from myself and her family has ruined her. Or am I expecting too much from her at such a young age? Is it too early to train her? Thankfully, she does spend most of the night sleeping in her basket, but I never get a break during the day unless I take her out.

maybe she is happy to go in her basket at night because it is dark and quiet - can you do that in the day too? my 6 wk old DD sleeps in her basket or her cot during thhe day but i have to pull the curtains and settle her quietly. also maybe she is not as tired now? maybe she needs to be awake longer before you put her down?

Our 8 week old son is just the same. We put him in a sling in the daytime and he sleeps fine like that, and gives the arms a rest (although I have developed some rather impressive muscles in my arms for first time since he was born, which is pleasant side effect!!) or in his pram if we take him out. If during the day we put him in the pram in the house, or his cot, though, he isn't having any of it. However, we plan to institute a proper after-lunch nap in his cot with the blinds down etc soon - hoping this will work.

I'd echo the sling suggestion. Something like the Close baby carrier, or a stretchy wrap.

It would give you the chance to get on with things and cuddle her at the same time.

And no, you certainly haven't "ruined" her, and she doesn't need training.

As she grows more independent, in the sense of being able to focus, roll over, sit and play, she will need to be held less.

Just try to go with the flow, a happy baby makes for a happy mummy, and this stage really does pass so quickly.

thanks ladies - I'll invest in a sling