Hold baby the whole day?!!

Active Poster Joined: Jul 06 2010 Posts: 60

what do you do with your one month old sc when he/she is up during the day?

my dd is 4 weeks old and she definitely is more awake during the day. I put her in the swing but that doesn't last more than 10 min (if she doesnt fall asleep by then). I can't just hold her until she falls asleep... what do you do?

Platinum Member Joined: Feb 20 2009 Posts: 7956

Either hold her, or put her in the carrier. Sometimes they are ok in a stroller, bouncy seat type of thing, or lying in the crib watching a mobile. It depends on the baby's personality- see what yours likes.

Posted: Mon, Jun 25 2012, 10:43 pm Post subject: re: hold baby the whole day?!!

can you wear her in a baby carrier?
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Gold Member Joined: Dec 21 2008 Age: 27 Posts: 1519

I don't have much advice but I remember with my first I had such an experience. She took quick naps and was awake much of the day and crying. I used to hold her a a lot. I remember doing my supper with her in my hand. But believe me, it'll pass.

Gold Member Joined: May 09 2010 Posts: 2158

I kind of had stations. Swing/bouncer, a playmat on the floor with dangly thing to look at, and the baby carrier. If your baby is kvetchy and needs to be cuddled, but you need to do something with your hands, a baby carrier is definitely a good investment.
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Active Poster Joined: Jul 06 2010 Posts: 60

thank you every one for your replies

a carrier is not an option - id rather hold her and do things with one hand. I just hope this is not setting me up for a spoiled baby who won't ever go down!

I set up last night the mobile for her bassinet... I'll try it later. if she likes it, maybe it's time to buy a playmat.

Bliss, you said it'll pass. how long did the stage last by you?

Silver Member Joined: Jun 12 2011 Posts: 792

Gold Member Joined: Jul 02 2010 Posts: 1416

I don't understand why you are against wearing the baby in a carrier. You'll have your hands free, if it's a good carrier your back won't hurt, and the baby will be comforted by your close presence. There's no such thing as "spoiling" a baby - things get spoiled when they're left alone to rot, not kept closely and cherished, responded to quickly, and nourished.

There are so many wonderful babywearing carriers available these days. Try a sling, pouch, ergo, mei tei, wrap, or anything that suits your fancy.

Babies were not born to be left alone. They tend to feel soothed and comforted with close to mom (remember, she was inside you for 9 months!), can smell you and can relax in your arms/close to you.

Silver Member Joined: Jun 21 2010 Posts: 848

I basically held my babies for the first 6 weeks, after that they started to calm down. I tried a few different carriers but hated all of them, and my babies didn't like them either. Definitely get a playmat, the baby needs something to look at when their on the floor.

Active Poster Joined: Jul 06 2010 Posts: 60

ok, so the word "spoil" was the wrong word. I meant to ask how to avoid "setting the stage" for the future - that I can never put her down and leave her down if she's crying

I love my little princess and I love holding her, it's just that at times it gets too much, especially when I need to do things around the house...

I guess I should look into a carrier, but in the meantime a playmat is a great option (she does sleep on her back)

Gold Member Joined: Jul 02 2010 Posts: 1416

There's no "setting the stage" - babies are born and their only way to communicate their needs is by crying. Responding to them quickly teaches them that they can depend on you and allows them to be in a calm state more often. Babies who are less stressed have lower cortisol levels and they tend to thrive.

Obviously as your baby grows into a toddler and older child with a personality of her own you will be able to say "no" and redirect her, but infancy is not the time to worry about that.

Posted: Tue, Jun 26 2012, 10:21 am Post subject:

Swaddling was magic for me. I recommend it to everyone.
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Posted: Tue, Jun 26 2012, 10:23 am Post subject: re: hold baby the whole day?!!

OP, you don't actually specify what the problem is, other than the baby is 'up'... if she's not fussing, leave her in her carriage/playpen/crib/playmat/bouncy seat.

If she is fussy, babywearing is the way to go.
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Moderator Joined: Aug 14 2005 Posts: 4703 Location: Ohio

My first baby was very high-needs. If it hadn't been for a baby carrier, I would have lost my mind. I did everything with her in it except cook at the stove and take a shower.
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Diamond Member Joined: Sep 16 2007 Posts: 4185

I would think this is quite normal in the first 2 - 3 months of life. (That may seem like a long time to you right now, but a year form now, you may not even remember this stage at all.)
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Platinum Member Joined: Mar 24 2008 Posts: 6528

Diamond Member Joined: Jan 14 2011 Posts: 2825

the more you hold her now, the happier she will be now and later. hold her as much as you can. if you need to do other things (and who doesn't?) put her down near you in a swing or car seat and talk to her the whole time. if she is very fussy, the best thing is a baby carrier. and there is no such thing as training a baby to not be held. think of it as training a baby to think they are alone in the world. why would you want to do that?

Posted: Tue, Jun 26 2012, 11:59 am Post subject: re: hold baby the whole day?!!

My first loved swaddling, not my second...

Am I the only one who gets horribly hot with a sling??
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Active Poster Joined: Jul 06 2010 Posts: 60

Thank you all for your input.

Just please don't think I'm a bad mom, I'm "learning on the job" and was just asking for advice....

If all you experienced moms say this is a normal stage and it will pass, then I will definitely do my best to enjoy it [and ignore the unfolded laundry and other such things]

Thank you again!