Can you spoil a 10 week old baby?

[MichelleM]

Just wondering what are your views on whether a 10 week old baby can be spoilt. My parents have told me they think I am spoiling my DS, and it has really upset me as I dont want to spoil my baby.

Sometimes DS cries because he wants lifted for a cuddle, or just wants to have a change of scenery. So when I lift him he stops crying.
I just see this as trying to attend to his needs, and helping him be content, but my parents think that because he stops crying when lifted then "there was nothing wrong with him", and I am teaching him bad habits.

Have any of you had similar comments? Do you think a baby can be spoiled this young?

Thanks

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If he stops crying when you lift him, he obviously wanted to be lifted. Congratulate yourself on knowing what your baby wanted and ignore everyone else. It is entirely natural to be comforted by a parent, and you are teaching your child how to respond to others. My MIL told me that 6 week old babies could manipulate their parents. I just ignore her, as I don't feel a bit manipulated by my ds.

Of course nwborn babies can maniuplate their parents! How else would they survive, if they weren't able to command our immediate attention?

Another no vote ... you cuddle him when he needs it. Hold him, let him sleep on you, keep him close. I wish I hadn't fretted about stuff like this in those first few months as much. But for the record, I carried DD in a sling for 3 months solidly and she slept when needed and we didn't hear crying at all as a result! I BANNED the phrase "rod for your own back" from the house, because boy was I sick of hearing it from "well meaning" people.

Your DS has spent the vast majority of his existence cuddled up inside you so far - it's too early to enforce separation yet!

Just remember that they are only going to be this small for a short time. I think that even once they reach 3 or 4 months and are reaching out for things the really early dependance is past. Pick him up, cuddle him and spend as much time as you want doing what you want with him. You certainly wont spoil him but you might spoil yourself - go for it!

Mine are 2 and 3 now, gorgeous in every way of course but when I see new borns I can understand why people have hundreds(!) of children, the first few months are SO precious.

Enjoy