An I ok to let 7 week old sleep on me?

[cakeladyc]

DD was 6 weeks prem, and while in SCBU was in cot and tucked in tightly, and slept fine. As soon as we got her home she hated being tucked in and kicks off blankets, but is too small for sleeping bags still. Now she seems to sleep for an hour in her crib or pram before waking up and crying - I think she has Grunting Baby Syndrome - but will sleep for longer, and silently, in my arms. So do I let her sleep in my arms if I'm awake and don't need to do anything, or am I creating bad habits for the future?
Sorry if that sounds all garbled, I'm a bit sleep deprived!

you will recieve so many different bits of advice about co-sleeping and sleeping in your arms etc. i personally took a 'natural' parenting route with my son, most of the time he was either in my arms, in a sling (have you tried one - they are life changing!!) or co-sleeping with me. He is now a very confident toddler who is independent and very happy in his own room. My view was always that if my son needed me physically (i.e feeding, nappy etc) or emotionally (to cuddle/ comfort) he would always have me there. If you baby is sleeping better with you I would say that is her way of telling you she wants her mummy.

If you are on facebook there is a very good page called analytical armadillo which talks alot about natural/ positive parenting techniques.

at the end of the day it will be your decision but you will find poeple get very wound up about these subjects and give very different view points!!

Meant to add if you post questions on the facebook site mentioned you get a lot of really helpful advice - it has been my lifeline since I had my DS! Best of luck and congratulations on your baby girl!! xx

Get a good sling (recommend Ergo with newborn insert) and go with your instinct for what makes both you and your baby happy.

You are absolutely not setting up bad habits for the future. Both of mine have slept on me. One is 8 and the other is 5. They both sleep through and in their own bedrooms, not in my arms . They love their beds and even ask to go to bed when they are tired at night.

Ignore what people who say you shouldn't do it. As long as you're not asleep on the settee with her, it should be fine.

Have you tried popping her in bed with you at night? Have you got the WHO guidelines on safe co-sleeping?

If you want her to sleep in her crib for a bit, you might find that swaddling and white noise might help.

all i can say is to agree that no to sleeping on the sofa.
and no co sleeping if under influence of alcohol and drugs.
you make your own choices op.

My LO slept on me or DH for every daytime nap until he was 10 weeks old. At this point he decided he didn't want to anymore! We didn't have a problem at night though as he was happy in his Moses basket. However, he did have a very strong startle reflex and was constantly waking himself up during the night. We started swaddling him with a summer infant swaddleme and he slept so much better. Have you tried swaddling? It makes them feel like they are back in the womb and can be very relaxing for them. I know not all babies are happy swaddled but it may be worth a go. This coupled with a gadget that makes womb noises were a godsend for us in the early weeks.

Ds2 slept upright on me in the day till he was 1 year old He had severe reflux.

But I am a SAHM so this was completely doable, I carried him around in a sling as well, I was willing to give up a lot to do it but it was for his health.

I didn't co-sleep at night, only ever in the day when he was over 1 and had a nap in my bed with me. At night he was in his cot, even from a young age as I had to prop it up to help the reflux.

Plus I was over cautious about him over-heating.

Ds1 used to sleep independently in his cot.

When they are very little I always think you just go with your gut and what feels right and you can change it when they are older and when you won't crack because you have had some sleep.

My baby was prem - he was born at 32 weeks and definitely liked being curled up and held against my chest and settled well doing that. I used to doze like that too but lots of people are shocked by that. Don't worry about storing up bad habits - just do what you have to do to get through the day and enjoy cuddles with your baby :)

Tiny baby cuddles are wonderful, make the most of them.

The bad habbit bollocks myths you hear are so nothing to worry about.

Of course it's ok to let her sleep on you, she needs you. She is only 7 weeks, and her brain is not developed enough for "bad" habits. DS slept on me almost every day until he was 4 months, then went in his cot no problem. I would say not to worry for at least 2-3 months yet, then you can start putting her in her cot if she is not too distressed, or letting her sleep next to you on the bed (safely) and gradually withdrawing if you want/need to.