Baby routine

[Pebblesxx]

Hello

My baby is 12 weeks old and was just wondering if anyone could help? He won't be put down for a nap during the day and will only sleep in my arms. I can cope with this but I'm worried in the long run I'm doing damage! Any time I try to put him down in a moses basket he either wakes straight away or wakes up screaming 10 minutes later. Is there anything I should do? Or is 12 weeks too young to be worrying?

You are not doing any damage. Your baby is completely typical of babies. You can’t cuddle a baby too much or make a rod for your own baby. If your baby get a sling but look at gentle sleep training if your not.

Your baby is still so little, it really is ok.

My ds napped in my arms even at 9 months old (regularly) and now he sleeps through every night in his cot and naps in there well too.

Just give the baby love and attention without the unnecessary worry of doing damage / a rod for your own back.

Being close to you is good for your baby's brain development.

My daughter was very much like this so We bought a sleepy head, she’s still in it now at 5 months so worth the money in my eyes as she still has a fair bit of room in it too. She can sleep without it now but sleeps much better in x

Second the Sleepyhead recommendation. My 3 month old has been sleeping through the night from 9 weeks in it.

Sleepyheads aren't recommended for night time sleep for SIDS reasons

OP 12 weeks is still within the 4th trimester and baby is barely aware they're not part of you yet

I had a baby like this. He's now upstairs a sleep in a single bed while I have a little bit of time before I go to bed (he's 2.4)

@Harrysmummy246 Actually sleepyhead can be used for overnight sleeping as it is one of the few sleep positioners that have breathable pillows which minimises the SIDS risk.

My son was taking one decent nap a day in his crib and the rest on me. Now we are back to 40 min naps at best if laid down or he sleeps for ages on me. So I’m just going with it. He sleep pretty well at night.

My advice would be to pick some bits on Netflix’s, put a drink by your chair and enjoy it. I kept trying to push proper napping and now I’ve accepted he won’t, things feel a lot better !

@sonti

Lullaby trust says not, based on evidence

And the pillows are not tested to the same standards as baby mattresses

@Sonti source of that statement?

I’ll put money on Sleepyhead not making that claim!

Before putting him down, check he's in deep sleep by picking up his arm and dropping it. If it falls heavily and he doesn't stir then you should be able to put him down without waking him up.

Also, enjoy the lack of routine! Go out and socialise in the evening! Soon you'll have to be home by 5pm every day and it's so much harder to meet up with child-free friends.

We got a sleepyhead. Changed my life overnight...DS did not ever want to be put down, but also hated slings. After a spectacularly bad night I cracked and bought one and it was the only way he slept not being held! He's a chubby baby so by 5 months he was getting pretty snug, but he transitioned into sleeping in his cot without it really easily.