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Stopping bad sleep habits?

2 replies

BongoDx · 04/02/2021 14:44

Hi I’m looking for some advise this is my first time posting so please don’t make me feel worse than I already do!
My baby is a few weeks old and BF he has slept like a little dream untill the past week he is using me for sleeping father than feeding which Iknow is normal!! I bf my first son who done this also except.. my toddler has additional needs among other things which resulted in me having to teach him to self soothe because we couldn’t co-sleep in hospitals which is still a regular occurrence. I have tried to introduce a dummy as I can’t have baby using me to sleep for a few reasons like ended up in hospital and not being able to comfort my toddler at any time etc especially during the pandemic as my son is sheilding and high risk so the fear is there more so! I’ve read so many threads and books and Iknow letting a baby cry is horrible as I hated doing it with my toddler but I had no choice in the matter so this time I’m trying to stop bad habits before they start so it doesn’t come to that! I’m letting him shout/moan for a couple of minutes and he does settle really fast but the noise is a sensory issue for my toddler so I have tried a dummy but I am popping it back in every few minutes especially at night and all I have done is cry because I feel like I’ve failed because I’m trying to give him a dummy or he is having to have a cry for a few minutes (my son can’t walk/talk etc so needs me a lot also as he doesn’t understand me asking him to wait a few minutes etc) he also has a routine and has always followed a perfect routine of it’s thrown off his whole week can be thrown off, he’s such a content wee boy so I’m trying to keep everything as normal as possible but I feel like I’m being such a horrible mummy to my newborn and my partner is trying him hardest to support me but doesn’t understand why I’m so upset over the dummy/crying situation, please don’t make me feel worse any advise though I’ll take !xx

OP posts:
FATEdestiny · 04/02/2021 15:15

Learning to take a dummy can sometimes be tricky initially. Don't be put off though, dummies are AMAZING for independant sleep and in your unique situation will definately be worth it.

Some pointers for the newborn stage:

  • the most usual reason for crying at this stage is hunger. If in doubt, feed again.
  • the next most likely reason for crying is wind. So if in doubt, wind>feed>wind>feed again > wind again
  • cherry teat dummies stay in better. Tommee Tipee do chest teats. Other people swear by MAM dummies
  • a swaddle is a godsend for calming a newborn (
BongoDx · 04/02/2021 15:39

Thankyou, I think it feels better having reassurance from someone else, that is roughly the approach I’m trying to take just now, this my emotions are just all over the place, I tried so hard for my first to take a dummy and I swore I would start earlier this time but for some reason I feel like I’m terrible for giving him one I have no reason to feel that way don’t know where it’s came from but Thankyou so much xx

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