Going with the flow too much with 7 wk DD?

[Saffra]

I am BF on demand (every 2.5-3 hrs), co-sleeping and sling wearing our 7 week DD. With the latter, it's mainly because DD usually hates being put down and life is easier this way. The only 'training' we are doing is introducing night time cues with dimmed lighting and quieter TV, etc. We have tried putting DD sleepy but she's hated it and has started crying so we've not pushed it at all.

I don't want to introduce a set routine as such, but I am wondering if we should be doing more to help her self-settle, sleep for longer periods during night, etc? I am happy enough going with the flow for now, but don't want to do it to the detriment of DD.

Any thoughts?

Sounds perfect!

Many babies seem to get into a little rhythm of their own accord after about 3 or 4 mths and settle in the evenings.

You're doing it perfectly, in my book!

No such thing as too much at 7 weeks. At about 12 weeks we started the whole bath, feed, bed thing but ours were all ready by then and started to sleep for much longer periods at night, but def don't worry if they're not even then.

My 11 week old just started self settling completely out if the blue the other day, I'm doing all the same stuff as you - don't worry, it will come!

ooh sounds like you are doing brilliantly! Keep going with the flow I reckon.. your baby is just tiny and you have years ahead of you for doing anything at all structured! (unless, of course, that is what would suit you better). Enjoy this lovely time

Sounds ideal to me! I made a point of not introducing any routine, as my partner and I lead very unpredictable lives (freelancers who work all hours and travel a lot) and saw it as being utterly pointless that our DD would be the only one of the family in a routine. She gave herself a vague routine once she hit 3 months of napping at 11ish and 3ish and going to bed at 8ish, and the result has so far been fantastic. She's 6 months old and has slept in camper vans, on friends floors, in new houses (we've just moved house), in the pram, in the car, on sofas... Everyday is a new place and new people and absolutely nothing fazes her. I'm sure routines are great for a lot of folks but really, sometimes you should just do what suits your own life. If she fits in with how you do things and you're happy, then why change it? DD is still BF on demand at 6 months though last week she started weaning with a vengeance - she's very much her own person and I'm really pleased I didn't force her into a routine that didn't suit us, just to fit the 'norm' and keep friends and family happy. Your life, your kiddy, your way. Have faith!

Thanks for the replies...!

When DD is in the sling, she tends to fall asleep. Sometimes can be for, say, 5 hrs during the day (in 2 or 3 chunks). Is this too much?

Sounds fantastic. You're really doing well and your baby sounds very happy and content! I wouldn't change a thing - be led by the baby. When what you're doing no longer seems to satisfy, change it then. No such thing as too much sleep during the day at this age (or, I would argue, at any age!) - sleep begets sleep. Overtired babies sleep really badly.

Think we used to wake ds if we felt he'd slept too long. Wish we had't tbh. He wakes all the time now, don't know if its connected.