can you 'babywear' and still teach self-settling?

[borntobemummy]

Self settling is very important to us and DD was a very good sleeper from quite early on. She was in her own room in a cot from day dot. We hope to achieve the same with DS (except he'll probably be in our room in a cot until we move due to lack of space). However, we are planning on having DS in a sling quite a bit when out and about and also at home.

What I'm asking is, how do we avoid him becoming accustomed to being held closely to sleep when we want him to sleep and re-settle in the cot at home. How do we achieve both? Is it possible?

[LotusMum]

Im really not sure how to help you as I dont believe in self settling. Im not sure many NP/AP mums do.
In regards to babywearing and self settling, Im not so sure that it would work as babies love to be held and cuddled closely and mine goes to sleep beautifully in her sling, so I think you baby may get quite confused as to why she is one moment cuddled and the next left alone in her bed. As self settling is really just leaving them to cry it out, you may find more help and support in one of the other sleep sections?
Good luck. :)

[pookiesossige]

The reason why I love baby-wearing, especially in the early days, is because in that first 3 months (some would say for 6) you can just do whatever works and not worry about 'bad habits' and all that jazz.

Just do what works to start with and enjoy being close to your bub. Worry about self-settling a few months in when it actually matters.


You might find that you have a baby that sleeps all night in their cot yet has a lovely sleepy snuggle with you in a sling during the day- many do. :yes:

[cwsmum]

I used to carry both my bubs around alot for the first few mths and they both still learnt to self settle.
I never put them to bed and left them to cry tho, I would make sure they were calm/relaxed but still awake and then put them in bed. DD we hardly had any probs with, she has always prefered to put herself to sleep. DS liked to be rocked to sleep til he was about 9mths old then he just didn't want it any more. He started to put himself to sleep thru the day at about 6mths.

As much as I would have loved to be able to have my bubs in slings/etc all day I have back issues and was never able to do it...I could keep them in a sling for 3-4hrs when they were little but now after 1-2hrs of carrying DD (18mths & 12-13kg) my back hurts and I have to put her down.

So, to answer your question...maybe you could use the sling at home, but mostly for when bub is awake then put him in bed either before he falls asleep or just after he is asleep. I also wouldn't worry too much about self settling til bub is at least 3mths old, unless you are lucky and your bub just seems to be able to do it like my DD could :)

Good luck with your new bub, just do what feels right for you and your family :)