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Parenting

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Original poster

Advice on 7 week old sleeping in day

13 replies

Jellywellyfish · 03/03/2022 20:17

Hi there

I’ve noticed my 7 week old daughter is just starting to fit into her own little routine with sleeping and wanting to have more structured naps in the day and would like some advice on how I can get her down without feeding her to sleep.

Our daytime routine is currently: up and dressed at 7-8am, nap time for an hour or so from 9-11am ish (mostly just over an hr), cat nap over lunch, longer three hour nap from 3pm-6pm. She will then sleep on and off until we go go to bed at 10/11pm and then she will sleep 12am-5.30am, feed then wake at 7-8am.

I really struggle to settle her without her falling asleep at my boob (she’s ebf) and she will only sleep in my arms and wanted to see if anyone has any tips? I have a Moses basket in our living room where I want her nap in the day but as soon as I put her down after 5 mins she will wake up and cry. The only time I can guarantee she will sleep is if I take her upstairs and lie her on my bed and I lie with her awake while
She sleeps - she will sleep for a good three hours like this in the afternoon but it means I’m stuck upstairs.

I don’t know if I’m doing this right or if her sleeping pattern seems okay? I let her lead me, and the reason I have her sleep in my arms is so at least she sleeps but I think she would get better quality naps if she would go down in her Moses basket.

Any advice welcome! NB she is a good sized baby at nearly 13lb and my health visitor said it was fine to let her have a 5-6 hour sleep at night and not proactively wake her for a feed.

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R1cciteddy · 03/03/2022 21:29

I couldn't put my baby down for a nap she just wanted to be held. I used a baby carrier (integra) and she did most naps in there til around 5 months! I didn't mind and I just got on with things round the house. I think by around 5 months her startle reflex went and I was able to put her down for naps (by feeding or rocking)

In the last 2 days I can now get her to fall asleep on her own (she's almost 7 months)

Mrsmch123 · 03/03/2022 21:49

Yeh my baby contact napped for all naps until he was 6 months. The minute I put him down he woke up. He was such a cat napper and only now at 8 months has he started sleeping for an hour/hour and a half. He now sleeps in his cot. I tried about 2 months ago and he stayed asleep. 7 weeks is still tiny.

Original poster

Jellywellyfish · 03/03/2022 22:22

Ah okay thanks. I’m fine with her napping on me and would prefer her too in a way as I love the cuddles but I didn’t know if I was being a ‘bad mum’ by letting her fall asleep after feeding all the time and her sleep on me. It’s good to know it could be another 3 months or so before I have to worry about getting her down on her own - thanks.

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Mrsmch123 · 03/03/2022 22:35

I got the whole your making a rod for your own back chat about his sleep. But tbh like you I loved the cuddles🙊I just used to say I don't know any 15 year olds that still sleep on their mums😂there is loads of pressure on mums to get babies to sleep independently but i truly believe they get their in their own time when they are ready. It makes me a little sad that he just goes to sleep now without any help from me😭although I now have loads of free time.

Jskfh837 · 04/03/2022 08:19

No way are you are bad mum for feeding her to sleep! It is biologically normal for newborns to feed to sleep. I fed to sleep until mine was 11 months as was the easiest and quickest way to get them to sleep (and they napped in their cot from 6 months).

Original poster

Jellywellyfish · 04/03/2022 09:28

Thank you for the reassurance. I didn’t know if it was one of those bad habits I was starting. I really enjoy cuddling her to sleep so really pleased it’s nothing to worry about x

OP posts:

Poppy709 · 04/03/2022 09:56

You’re not a bad mum at all, my little boy did all his naps on me or in a moving pram until he was 8 months old! I miss those cuddles now. Get your feet up and a good book of series to watch. If he will nap in the pram/carrier as well that’s nice as the weather gets nicer to be able to get out of the house xx

jupitermars1345 · 04/03/2022 12:25

I have my nine month old asleep on me now
I actually think they get better quality naps on you if you don't mind and it's possible

R1cciteddy · 04/03/2022 13:46

Yes please be reassured! I felt exactly the same as you and turned to mumsnet. I still didn't believe everyone but they really really do grow out of things. Best advice don't fix it unless it's broken

Madmaxxy · 05/03/2022 09:42

I'd say enjoy the cuddles and feeding to sleep. We did this all the time, but my now 8 month old sleeps independently, and actually won't fall asleep on me/when feeding anymore :( (unless unwell).

ChocolateButtonsOfShame · 05/03/2022 09:56

Hello! My 7 month old still contact naps and I love it 🙂 yes eventually he'll have to nap in his cot. Actually I'm thinking we'll have to start practicing for nursery soon...

Babyhood goes so quickly. You're not going to regret giving them cuddles.

Carbiesdreamhouse · 05/03/2022 09:58

Just do what works and watch box sets while you can.

BeeDavis · 07/03/2022 11:36

My 5 month old has a 30min nap in the morning and a 2 hour nap in the afternoon (length of naps can vary) The only place I can get him to nap during the day is his pram! He will happily sleep in his cot in his room during the night, sleeps from 7pm-4/5am, has a feed then sleeps til 8/8.30. I gave up trying to get him to sleep anywhere else during the day!

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