Active discussions

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Sleep

Join our Sleep forum for tips on creating a sleep routine for your baby or toddler. Need more advice on your childs development? Sign up to our Ages and Stages newsletter here.

Original poster

Is it true babies get used to being held?

13 replies

sh77 · 05/04/2011 16:58

DS is 4 weeks old and I am finding that when I put him in his moses basket, he will start crying even though I make sure he is fast asleep. I have been holding him for over 3 hours now..... Am I getting him into a bad habit (as I keep being told?)

OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
Set a reminder
matana · 05/04/2011 20:11

No. You can't spoil a newborn and bad habits won't form for weeks yet. Buy a sling. And pass him around so you get a break from dead arm!

To get him to sleep in his moses basket at night try warming it first with a hot water bottle and padding it out so he doesn't feel 'lost' in it. My DS preferred his carry cot at that age because the space inside it was much smaller, like the womb. We used to put his carry cot inside the moses basket.

Flisspaps · 05/04/2011 20:13

Absolutely not. Babies that small are not old enough to form habits, or to manipulate you into doing things for the sake of it.

He was inside you for 9 months, and has been out for 1 - he needs your warmth and cuddles to feel safe and secure. The only downside to cuddling him for hours and hours is that you'll be mightily uncomfortable (but it's worth it!)

Limelight · 05/04/2011 20:21

Absolute twaddle. Along with the 'you're making a rod for your own back' line. Get thee to a sling shop!

MogTheForgetfulCat · 05/04/2011 20:49

My DS3 is 6 weeks, goes to sleep like an angel in his basket at night (goes down awake and drifts off, settles well after night feeds) - during the day, he screams blue murder if I put him in it, even if he seems to be fast asleep when he goes in. So he is in a sling or the pram most of the day, and sleeps a lot in either.

DS1 and DS2 were similar, both spent a lot of time sleeping in sling, pram or on me or DH when they were little. They gradually became more able to settle by themselves for daytime naps as they got older. Definitely not true ime that carrying/holding them a lot in the early weeks means you are storing up problems for later - they need it when they are so little - and it's so lovely to look down on them when they are making that sleepy pout Smile.

I currently have a Moby wrap, and would heartily recommend it.

Original poster
sh77 · 05/04/2011 23:21

Thanks everyone! I absolutely love holding him and won't question again whether I am spoiling him. Great advice re sling.

OP posts:
Limelight · 06/04/2011 06:59

I'm a moby wrap user too. Completely fab. Or an ergo if you want something a bit more structured.

cocoachannel · 06/04/2011 20:38

I have the same problem with my 5 week old, sh77. Although she will only sleep in the pram when we're on the move! Somebody suggested a sheepskin to me today, which apparently makes them feel more secure in the Moses basket.

AliSheedy · 06/04/2011 20:41

Please don't think you are going to 'spoil' your baby or give him 'bad habits'. It's utter tosh! This is the time to be holding and cuddling and responding to their needs. It will make that bond between you so lovely and close. If it helps, I pretty much carried or slinged my second child for the first 6 months of her life and she became a terrific daytime napper and night time sleeper of her own accord and is now a feisty 2.5 yr old who is anything but 'clingy' to me!

On the other hand, you need to get your rest too, so use a sling during the day to have some hands free time, and get your other half or relatives to take over when your arms are aching and you're knackered!

flyingheart · 06/04/2011 21:28

Hold him and cuddle him - he won't be diddy forever!

zayla · 07/04/2011 12:33

It's a bit hard to prove one way or the other. Our baby (nearly 5mo) still only sleeps in his sling and am desperate to get him out of it as he is getting heavy and I often accidentally wake him up if I try and do anything while he sleeps! I do wonder that he may have got used to it now.

I started a thread asking when babies do grow out of it here
www.mumsnet.com/Talk/behaviour_development/1183838-When-do-babies-grow-out-of-only-napping-in-a-sling
but didn't really get many responses to the question of when babies grow out it and would appreciate more if any of the folk replying here would mind chipping in as I presume they had babies who would only sleep while held or in a sling!

Original poster
sh77 · 07/04/2011 14:41

Thank you all ! On your advice, my moby sling arrived 5 mins ago. Can't wait to try it out. DS is great at night and sleeps well in his basket. As much as i love holding him during the day, I am finding I have no routine to the point where i can't eat lunch. I hope the moby solves some of these issues.

OP posts:
estya · 07/04/2011 22:41

If by getting used to being held you mean getting all the benefits from the 'i feel secure with mummy's love' endorphins - bring it on.

Saying that - my LO was a useless napper, but i don't think its unusual.

puffylovett · 07/04/2011 22:48

Moby's are ace, but you might find the sling thing a bit addictive.... I went from Moby to woven wraps at 6 months and now have about 9 of the blasted things Hmm

Oh, but DS2 is a great sleeper, sleeps best in his bed (But I'm naughty and feed him to sleep now instead of slinging him Wink. Hubby still slings him to get him off, then transfers him to the bed when I'm at work. Hubby found the sling thing fantastic, it gave me a break and he's far closer to DS2 than he was to DS1 at this age as a result.

Enjoy your newborn cuddles (oh be still my aching ovaries !)

New posts on this thread. Refresh page
Swipe left for the next trending thread