Scheduling newborn

chizekgeena

I am a ftm so this is all new to me. In addition DH had to leave for a month a week after LO was born. The first night she was home she refused to sleep anywhere but in our arms. By the end of the first week we managed to get her to sleep in her bouncer. Now she's sleeping in her bouncer every night with 2 to 3 hour feeding intervals of sleep. She is a little over 2 weeks old now and my SIL keeps telling me I need to get her used to the crib. She HATED the pack n play and also HATES being swaddled. She would cry and wiggle until she had all arms and legs free then she would fall asleep. She sleeps well lying flat in my bed which I believe is a good sign. I'm just wondering how any of you ladies transitioned to a crib from a bouncer and at what age you made the transition. Also, her routine at night is a feeding change her diaper usually dirty after a feeding put her in her pajamas after a sponge bath and then I feed her again she's usually hungry again after she's woken up and then she falls asleep in me arms and I place her in the bouncer next to my bed. Thanks ladies!

DCMerged

She's a newborn of course she wants to sleep in your arms. You are her mommy and she needs the closeness, touch, and cuddling. I know the lack of sleep is tough, but try to cherise these moments as they go by all too quick. Don't bother scheduling as she will most likely create her own routine when she gets a bit older. Mine did around one month or so.

k.martell

I wouldn't worry about the crib or a schedule yet.  The first 3 months is survival, you do what ever you can to make her happy and keep yourself sane.  DD slept in her swing for the first 2 months then our bassinet, then the crib at 4 f/t months.

I try DS in the bassinett first and if he protests he goes in the swing and swings away to sleep.  I swaddle him tightly or in a double wrap and I use white noise to help soothe him.

I wouldn't worry about a schedule until 4m when they have fully adjusted to night vs day and the sleep becomes more consistent and predictable. 

superherostocker

k.martell:

I wouldn't worry about the crib or a schedule yet.  The first 3 months is survival, you do what ever you can to make her happy and keep yourself sane.  DD slept in her swing for the first 2 months then our bassinet, then the crib at 4 f/t months.

I try DS in the bassinett first and if he protests he goes in the swing and swings away to sleep.  I swaddle him tightly or in a double wrap and I use white noise to help soothe him.

I wouldn't worry about a schedule until 4m when they have fully adjusted to night vs day and the sleep becomes more consistent and predictable. 

I completely agree with this. I plan on keeping my DS in his bassinet until he grows out of it and then putting him in the crib. I love having him next to my bed in case he needs anything. My cousin kept her kids in the bassinet in her room until they were 8-9 months. Just do whatever keeps you and the baby sane and happy don't listen to anyone else. You know best. 

Sawyerplus1

Yep, she's 2 weeks old. Do NOT stress about scheduling, spoiling, or transitioning your newborn yet. Consider the massive transition she is making just from your womb to the outside; she needs to feel your closeness and warmth. It's what makes babies feel safe and secure. If she sleeps best in your arms or on your chest, let her (if you're comfortable with it). If you're fine with her sleeping in her bouncing, then thats fine too. As a pp said, you just need to survive these first, early months, so do what you have to do. Your LO will very likely establish some kind of schedule on her own in a little while, but dont worry about doing it for her. And don't worry, she'll transition to a crib just fine when you and she are ready, but no need to rush that either. My 3 LOs all transitioned to their cribs at different times and they all survived. Go with your instinct, you know your LO best! 

love_ya_babe

The first 1-2 weeks DS was the same way. He would either sleep on me or in the swing. My philosophy was that we would do whatever we had to do to get sleep! He now sleeps in his pnp and I plan on having him in there until he is at least 6 months. Trust your instincts. LO needs to feel safe and comforted more than she needs to get into a routine. All that will come in time.

juliane2004

Disclaimer: Do what works for you, this is what we do.

Babies can get overtired and overstimulated VERY fast.

We keep an eye on the clock and keep DD2 up for only a certain amount of awake time (which at this age is basically enough time to diaper and feed her). See below for guideline by age. We put her down awake, to fall asleep on her own. No crying necessary. By not letting her get overtired, she is able to fall asleep on her own. Also, by putting DD2 down in her space awake, she does not wake up in a different place than she fell asleep (i.e. she doesnt fall asleep in my arms, then wake in her crib and be scared).

We also swaddle using the escape proof swaddle. I personally swaddle till about 5-6 months old. We thought DD1 hated swaddling, so we stopped at 2 weeks old. Then we found this method at 10 weeks and she fell asleep for 7 hrs that night. It works great for us: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5K4VdZxwsu4

We also have a fan for white noise and a fisher price aquarium for music/lights to distract her. And, if necessary, a pacifier. I highly recommend a crib attachment thing, like the aquarium, not a mobile. A mobile needs to be constantly wound up whereas the aquarium plays for 18 minutes and has a wireless remote that can turn it on from the doorway.

Guideline for Awake time for babies
0-4 weeks: 30-45 minutes
4-6 weeks: 40-60 minutes
6-8 weeks: 40-70 minutes
8-12 weeks: 50-80 minutes
3-4 months: 60-90 minutes
4-5 months: 1 hr to 1.5 hrs
5-6 months: 1.5 hours
6-9 months: 2 hours, give or take 15 minutes

katieh1017

Let her sleep wherever she can sleep. We just transitioned L to her crib a week ago. Everyone is different, do what you feel is comfortable, right for your baby and don't do something you aren't ready for. My SIL said the same thing to me, I clearly didn't listen. 

Steph Bez

I agree with the first part, we do the exact same thing. We don't swaddle or have anything on the crib (aquarium, lights, etc) as we find this stimulates and keeps DD awake. We also don't have white noise or anything. I fully agree with this method though and it sets up really good sleep habits so there's no trying to transition or fix things when they're older and it's much harder.

juliane2004

Steph Bez:

I agree with the first part, we do the exact same thing. We don't swaddle or have anything on the crib (aquarium, lights, etc) as we find this stimulates and keeps DD awake. We also don't have white noise or anything. I fully agree with this method though and it sets up really good sleep habits so there's no trying to transition or fix things when they're older and it's much harder.

The bolded part is EXACTLY the reason I love that method and why I post about it so so frequently.

anonsouthernbell

DCMerged:

She's a newborn of course she wants to sleep in your arms. You are her mommy and she needs the closeness, touch, and cuddling. I know the lack of sleep is tough, but try to cherise these moments as they go by all too quick. Don't bother scheduling as she will most likely create her own routine when she gets a bit older. Mine did around one month or so.

ITA...don't worry about your SIL...do what is best for you and your family