Clingy 7 Week Old

[mats01_99]

Hi all. I'm sure myself and my wife have brought this on ourselves, but have we spoilt our little girl too much already? She is sleeping pretty well during the night for her age (12 - 6), however during the day she seems to need 100% attention. She may settle on her own for maybe 30 mins max after a feed where she sits in her chair or under the baby gym, but after that she wants holding until she drops off. Is this the norm or is it our fault for picking her up from day 1 the minute she complains. Does she maybe need more stimulation?, Any thoughts would be most appreciated. Thanks

[mycats]

You cant spoil a seven week old baby! At that age if they need a cuddle give them one, honestly you are NOT creating a spoiled monster or anything. They NEED to know that if they cry or need you, then you will be there. Try not to worry too much hon and congratulations x x

[sherrardk]

My three have always been picked up as soon as they cried and they are not clingy - sometimes I think that they want picked up because they are bored - as soon as they can get around on their own they seem to be less likely to want to be picked up all the time.

[mats01_99]

Thank you both, I was hoping you'd say that!

[tradey]

well done to you both,shes doing great sleeping 12-6. as for spoiling a baby,they need lots of hugs and to know you are there she needs to feel safe,but if i was you both try not to pick her up as much as you do,if she starts to cry and shes been fed and changed jjust talk to her for abit then if she sounds as if shes getting upset then pick her up,i did the same as you are and i wish i didnt,my 2yr old now wont leave my side and crys if i leave the room,its hard though isnt it you love them so much all you want to do is cuddle them.

[Hellion]

Babies cry because they want changing, feeding or a cuddle!!

[secretspirit]

It's soooo normal for them to be clingy at that age, it used to drive me mad sometimes having a 'velcro baby' but I'd prefer that than go the other way and leave her to cry! I've always picked up my daughter as soon as she's unhappy and now she's a bit older she's a lot happier and more secure than friends' babies who were ignored when they cried so in my opinion you're on the right track.

It's hard to keep them entertained at that age and 30 mins under the gym is great. I found carrying my daughter round in a baby carrier sling very good for when I wanted to get things done and she was always happy in there.

You're doing really well on the sleeping, my daughter is 12 months and still wakes for 1-2 feeds in the night (aarrrgghhh!). Good luck, it gets much easier from now on!

[The Tiggster]

She may feel insecure as she has spent a long time all cosy & tightly bound in Mum's tum. We found that our baby boy was the same. After speaking to a health worker for advice as I was run ragged with him, she suggested swaddling as at that age they can wave their arms about too much or feel too "exposed".
Tough to swaddle on hot days so try it without too many layers underneath & some light material such as muslin. After our son got used to being swaddled, he would go to sleep on his own & not have to be held or rocked to sleep. He grew out of wanting to be swaddled by about 4 months & now goes to sleep beautifully
I wouldn't think that your daughter needs more stimulation at her age, more the opposite & a good wind down routine to help her go to sleep.
Good luck.

[gfm722]

my son was exactly the same, but I feel they need loads of cuddles and attention when they are young so that they have the confidence to be more independant as they get older.
My son is 4 now and is more confident and independant than all the kids I know who's parents just left them when they cried, and didnt give them as much attention.
Keep doing what you're doing it will pay off in the end!

[Pam29]

My baby is now 18 weeks old and Ive always given her lots of cuddles and just carried her around the house with me. She is very good, sleeps and feeds well etc - I dont belive you can spoil a baby so young. The best stimulation is interaction with mum, dad and other family, not loads of toys and I wouldnt expect a baby so young to entertain itself with toys.Enjoy your baby!