Rock to sleep with swaddleling

mandy+chi

My newborn is about 6w old. He used to able to fall asleep on his own 1-2 weeks back after nursing. Then it gradually becomes that he stays awake after nursing and I had to hold/ rock him to sleep. I started swaddling him when he got cranky and fussy at night. Now he wouldn't fall sleep at all unless I swaddle him and rock him for quite a while after each nursing - both day and night.
I wonder if it is common for other moms? Wonder if he is creating bad habits on how to fall asleep. 
Also, the swaddleling hours also get longer to like 12-14 hrs a day whenever he naps or sleep, I worried if it's too long and too dependent on the swaddle.
Thanks!

tgortney

Now, I'm a FTM and my son is 6 weeks old. But your experience is exactly what is happening to me. I've learn that at this age, they tend to need a little parental help to fall asleep. So I see it as normal. They're starting to become more alert and awake so they need the extra assistance, versus when they were first born and sleepy all the time. My son hated being swaddled at first but now, in a week or so, he's loved being swaddled. If he's not swaddled, he'll startle himself awake and cries. I'm just going to follow the swaddling rule: keep swaddling him till he can turn on his tummy, then I'll stop. Sleep and happy baby wins for me

JoMunson

I'm a FTM too but I don't really think you can develop bad habits at this age. The goal is to teach your baby that falling asleep feels good not scary. Later we can deal with where to sleep and how to soothe to sleep.

Bellodomani

Totally normal for that age and it sounds like you've found what works for your baby to help him. I'm sure some people will disagree, but I've generally found that up to about 3-4 months you can't really create bad habits, so I give myself a free pass to do whatever works for everyone for the first 3 months. After that, I'll start to work towards the ultimate goal of putting baby down awake. The swing is great for this because it sort of hypnotizes them. Also, if your baby starts napping for only 20 or 40 minutes at a time no matter what you do, that is also developmentally normal for this age and they usually grow out of it around 4-5 months. 

mandy+chi

Thanks much! Relieved to here that I'm not alone. I'm just getting upset sometimes he can't fall alseep even thou I hold/ rock him and the time spent to make his sleep each round seems getting longer

camillaandcarson

STM - enjoy rocking your newborn. This won't last. These tiny babies don't keep. Soak it all in. And rock on. 

JessicaB0627

camillaandcarson said:

STM - enjoy rocking your newborn. This won't last. These tiny babies don't keep. Soak it all in. And rock on. 

This is exactly what I was thinking!

PYLWhammy

Some nights my baby won't sleep at all unless she's on my chest. It's a bit frustrating, but as @camillaandcarson said, the newborn stage is so short and we will miss these sweet moments when they are gone. You aren't forming bad habits, you are making sure your LO is feeling safe and secure, and that's the best thing you can do!

yogahh

camillaandcarson said:

STM - enjoy rocking your newborn. This won't last. These tiny babies don't keep. Soak it all in. And rock on. 

This made me sad...why can't we bottle them up and keep them this small and precious forever?

Nordaas125

When do you put him/her in the swaddle? Like when your ready to put down for a nap or what? I'm trying to figure out the timing. I have never swaddled my 5 week old. But I'm not sure if he will like it, he gets hot really easy. 

mandy+chi

@Nordaas125 At first I started swaddling him at evening when he looks sleepy - yawning or closing his eyes but can't fall asleep. You have to try a couple of times before he get used to it, and avoid doing it when he got really fussy -do it earlier when he's still calm. 
Now I do it in day time as well as his reflex is so vigorous that even if he can fall asleep on his own he would wake up very soon

Summer is coming so I got a bit concerned too - perhaps turn on the AC?

for the swaddle I used Aden and ansis one- it helps to keep cool. He doesn't like swaddleMe, seems it's too tight and hot for him.