Starting EASY with an 11 week old

[Maddie1972]

Hi

I just bought the book the baby whisperer solves all your problems and wish to start EASY with my 11 week old girl.

The query I have regards the four S routine.  I haven't swaddled her for the past 3 weeks when putting her to sleep as she has found her fingers and hands and has more control over the movement of her arms and legs.  Should I still try the four S routine for sleep and naps, but minus the swaddle?  I read about the PU/PD method, but understand this can only be implemented from four months.

Unfortunately I have been using my buggy travel system as a prop to get her to sleep during the day (eg pushing it around while she goes to sleep in her carseat).  From what I have read so far, it seems that she should sleep in her cot upstairs during the day as well?

Just for reference I will be following the 3 hour EASY plan in the book, as she does eat every 3 hours, so that fits in with her routine.  She is pretty much a text book baby, but does find it quite hard to nap during the day and gets quite overstimulated (I often have to push her around in her buggy to get her to nod off, which I want to stop and teach her to get to sleep by herself).  At night however, she is much more able to get herself to sleep, which is better!

Any advice would be appreciated.

Many thanks

Maddie 

Also, just to add she will often spit out her dummy.  Should I keep persisting with it or just accept that she doesn't like them?

[rebecaq]

Hi Maddie! Welcome to BW!

It sounds to me like things are going great at the moment. And I think it's great that you have been able to identify the bumos you have hit. So, to answer your  questions, not all babies need to be swaddled.  If she's able to wind down without it, then it's ok    As for soothing her, at her age shhh/pat is the way to go, it's much easier for younger babies to handle. I also recommend that you begin to put her down for her naps in her crib.  It's better to fix accidental parenting and props when they are younger and the problems don't become deeply entreched.

As for the dummy, does she spit it out when she's asleep? Or all of the time?  Does she wake when she spits it out?

- Beca 

[Maddie1972]

Hi Beca

Thanks for responding

She refuses to take the dummy initially, forcing it out with her tongue.  Sometimes she will take it, but it can be a struggle and I feel like I am trying to force her.  I went shopping today for a natural feel pacifier and she seems to prefer that as I tried it tonight - so I will persist with that.  She still spits it out after a while though, usually when she is nodding off and this wakes her up.  I'm not sure if I am just setting myself to keep having to put it back in her mouth constantly when she wakes - is that not worse?

I had to swaddle her tonight, she was really overtired.  I think it was because I put her in her crib today for naps and she is struggling with it - poor thing.  I will perservere though, I have to remind myself that it is better for her to nap in her crib and even if I do get tempted to push her in the stroller, she will only fit in the car seat for a couple more months and then she will *have* to go in the cot!

Maddie