Newborns and sleep

[dennya]

I have a four week old baby and on odd nights she wont settle in her cot and only sleeps with me holding her or sleeping next to her. I am worried this will get her into bad sleeping habits. I have thought about trying controlled crying, but I am hesitant as she seems very young to do this with and I would like to hear other parents views on this.

She is very tiny yet and it will be some time before she gets into any kind of sleeping habits. Hard though it is when you are tired, try to relax about it and enjoy cuddling her. Controlled crying isn't everyone's cup of tea and I believe that those people who advocate it say it is for babies of 6 months and over.

She is still so tiny, I am a complete whimp when it comes to controlled crying. I would go with it. You can sort her out later when shes a bit bigger and your less sleep deprived

what do YOU think. Do you mind sleeping next to her? or are you trying to "set good habits". Ive co-slept with DS since he was newborn, and my health visitor said it makes them less insecure, and when they are ready to go to bed alone, they will. Habits change all the time... you might have her settled alone for a few months, then all your hard work will be undone when she changes habits. if YOU dont mind sleeping next to her, do it. Shes only tiny and doesnt understand alot of things. You cant tell her its ok, youll be with her soon etc. Until you can reassure her other ways, id sleep next to her.

Can't say it any better than kittypickle! Many congratulations on your baby - it's a tough time when the tiredness is really biting but it sounds like you're doing brilliantly.

Don'rt worry dennya, she is still just little nd loves being next to you, try to feel pleased that she gets so much comfort from your presence. She really is far too tiny to try controlled crying because she has no concept of time or that if you go away you are still around. My dd was very like yours but now sleeps from 8-11pm, then I wake her for a feed and then she sleeps till 5am. Just a week or so ago she was waking three times and needed to sleep next to me. It's amazing how quickly they change and develop so just go with what she needs for now.

it wont get her into bad habits if you cuddle her to sleep at this young age. she is so tiny, when she cries she is probably hungry so cc would be very damaging to a baby, especially one so young. i'd go with it and do whatever it is you have to do to get her to sleep peacefully. newborns arn't programed to know when its night time and when its time to be awake. if t hey cry at this age its because they need their needs met, whether it be for a feed or for a cuddle. just try to ride it out, no one said parenting was easy and the sleeplessness is all part of it i am afraid! congratulations btw.

please please please don't do controlled crying (my heart is breaking!). she's crying because she needs something - you. it will get better and she will stop crying i promise.

agree with the other girls, deffo don't do CC> at 4 weeks iirr all Joey wanted was me, wouldn't settle for DH or anything nights became terrible, so he came on the bed with me in between two pillows with my hand resting on his tummy, for reassurance, DH - kicked in the spare room!

touch wood it's not harmed our boy, he went in his own room at 16 weeks and is doing just fine. (any probs we have at night are cos he's hungry/pooped)

happy mummy = happy baby, and vice versa so u do what it takes to get to sleep. someone on here tolds me - get sleep now when u're exhausted then worry about problems further down the line once you're settled into being a mummy and not as tired.