My 6 week old daughter hates her swing and bouncer!!

Kate CP - posted on 05/11/2010

Yea, stop using the swing and bouncer. She's 6 weeks old! She can't even see yet! She needs her mommy. Get a sling and wear her if you don't want to carry her. But she needs to be close to you right now.

Gwen - posted on 05/11/2010

Wear her in a sling or carrier. This will give her the close contact she needs at this age, while freeing up your hands to get other things done.

Grace - posted on 05/11/2010

Hello, all babies develop at different rates. A 6 week old baby has no opinion. They react to stimuli. A baby who seems calm in your arms or in a bassinett in a quiet place clearly feels secure and warm. Introduce noise and mayhem for a while and baby will become overstimulated and will communicate this by being unsettled, cranky or crying. Take a look at where the bouncer is. Is it in a busy area? Do you expect baby to sleep in it? Why is it preferable to her bassinett? At six weeks she will sleep a lot of the time and have short intermittent periods of wakefulness. Learn to read her body language. If she turns her face away from an object or person, she no longer wishes to engage. If she yawns twice in a short space of time recognise that she needs to sleep. Never under estimate how valuable a tool a swaddling wrap is. She has no opinion. She experiences sensations but doesn't understand them. She can only communicate cold, hunger, pleasure, pain, over-stimulation and comfort. Wrap her up and put her to bed before she drops off to sleep. Enjoy her.

Sylvia - posted on 05/11/2010

Holding her is best indeed! As a stay at home mom I had the pleasure of getting to know my son(20now) & daughter (17now) & finding out what works & what doesn't. Bassinet lets them have a better chance to develop their own strength & to practice rolling around as does being on the floor on a blanket in the same room your in. If they can always see you they are happiest & content even if you aren't holding them. Swings are okay for when they are older & their spines have had more time to develop & strengthen. Keep her on the floor too on a blanket & play some mozart for her or chopin. : )

Kathy - posted on 05/11/2010

Yes, keep on holding her Melinda! That's what she likes best.

Melinda - posted on 05/11/2010

Thanks! I guess I'm concerned because my friends have children that at that age seemed to love sitting in the bouncer( the seat, not the toy). Thanks for the advice! I lik eholding her anyway! =)

Allison - posted on 05/11/2010

I am from Canada and I happen to agree with the Aussies :) For the first 3 mths she needs the security of knowing you are there for her, after that you have plenty of time to teach her how to amuse herself while you are busy.

Nikki - posted on 05/11/2010

I agree with Kathy, although I am also from Australia, so it might just be an Aussie thing. Wait until 3 months. Put your baby on the floor on a rug with some toys to play with, you can give them some tummy time as well, that and cuddles is all they need at this stage. Good luck

Kathy - posted on 05/11/2010

In Australia, bouncers and jumpers are not recommended before 3 months.

Tamaya - posted on 05/11/2010

i did not hold mine all the time...the biggest thing that help me was swaddling..remember they were in a confined space for nine months..my youngest need my sleep shirt next 2 her til she got used to sleeping with out it...i di not have any1 pick my babies up all the time..also too much movement or fast swaying may make ur child nervous...swaddle its the best

Karen - posted on 05/11/2010

my son didn't like his seat or swing until he was close to three months old - he did spend a lot of time in his bassinet when i had things i had to get done and he loved it. she'll most likely begin liking those things in another month or so

Kerry - posted on 05/11/2010

Wow ok personally i agree the baby shouldnt be held all the time but she needs to learn too that she isnt being abandoned. I personally would say that while you dont need her in the bassinet then put her down but that when she cries, just comfort her by talking to her and stroking her face occassionally. She'll learn, it just takes a bit of time x

Sarah - posted on 05/11/2010

May I ask why you don't want her to be in her bassinet all the time? At six weeks she just wants to feel secure, and clearly the bassinet provides that for her.

Amanda - posted on 05/11/2010

At 6 weeks old they only thing they need is being held, fed, and sleep. There is no need for her to be in a swing or bouncer (confused on if this is a bouncer toy or bouncer seat... if its the toy, she is way to young to be in one). At her young age the only thing she understands is that her mother is suppose to be there for her 24/7, when placed in an item like a swing, or chair, she might be feeling shes been abandoned. If that is the case you are actually doing more damage then good.