baby in carrier = sleeping baby

[FMB]

No matter when I plunk DS (who is 10 weeks) into one of his carriers (I have, currently, a tube sling and a stretchy wrap -- moby) he almost always falls asleep. Even if I'm talking to him and trying to engage with him, he nods off. Sounds convenient, I know, but when he sleeps all day we have trouble getting him to sleep at night and, more importantly, while I love that DS can nap in the sling, I want to be sure he is getting stimulation throughout the day.

Because of the sleeping habit, I've found myself spending more time at home, just kind of sitting with him and engaging, which is good, but on those days where I simply must be out of the house for more than an hour or two, any tips?

Some things I have already tried include really making an effort to talk and engage with him while he's in the sling (result: zzzzzzzzzzzz), wearing him in the sling when he is wide awake (either zzzz or he gets cranky and demands to be out of the sling) and lots of downtime, out of the sling.

DS LOVES to be held when we're out and about, and the hold he prefers is not all that different from the hold he is in with the moby.

I posted a different thread about DS not enjoying the moby anymore and got lots of great tips about different slings and carriers, particularly the high back newborn carry. I tried this out, however, and I'm sad to say I'm not confident enough a babywearer to feel good about DS on my back just yet, however sturdy the sling / hold.

Could be I'm asking for a solution and saying "no, not that solution" but I'm wondering if there is anything else I can do? Thing is, we don't want to be a stroller family, (we have a Phil and Ted's jogger for future actual jogging) but the truth is, DS really actually seems to enjoy the stroller more than the sling now.

Advice? I'm thinking of starting out with the stroller and wearing the sling so I can switch it up to DS's preferences. I don't want to FORCE the babywearing, but don't want to give up on it too soon if it's just a matter of finding the right sling, because DS does love to be held.

Sorry so long!

[lifeguard]

So, you're trying to keep ds awake while wearing him?

I found as ds got older he was less prone to fall asleep while being worn. For the first few months (3 maybe) he would ALWAYS fall asleep. I used to call my ring sling the magic sleep maker - on New Year's Eve at a party he slept through the whole thing! He slept 8 hours that evening/night - something he has yet to duplicate elsewhere! Now though, unless he's really tired he doesn't fall asleep when worn.

I did find carrying him in different holds would keep him awake a little longer. For instance more upright & facing out he found much more stimulating.

I personally found strollers a big pia so I never bothered trying to see if that would keep ds awake. Plus, having him sleep was so pleasant. I miss that warm little sleeping body against me while I did errands - now he's all grabby hands!

[AileenM]

Facing out is your best bet, but I think he's a bit young for that yet. I loved it when Hannah slept for good stretches, it always made her sleep better at night. Good luck!

[FMB]

To clarify, I'm not trying to keep him awake intentionally when he prefers to nap. I just mean that the sling is a bit of a natural soporific for my baby. If I run errands during a big chunk of the day, DS will sleep the entire time and when he does wake up, he tends to want out of the sling. I, too, LOVE that feeling of having him snuggled up against me. I think he does want to face out and is too young. I guess basically my concern is that anytime he is in the sling is time he is sleeping. But he always wants to be held and is 14 lbs, so it would be nice to be able to sling him to help me carry him for more than a few hours a day. But if I don't limit the sling time, he'd sleep the entire time or else just fuss to get out of the sling. I probably need to keep experimenting with different slings and I'm sure it will improve naturally, as you suggest, as he gets older. Thanks!

[baturay]

I don't think I understand what you'd like as a solution, but I read your posts a couple times and each time, I thought that if I were you, I'd go with the flow. Your baby is really young still and lots of baby at that age want to sleep most of the day still. I really would not worry about finding or trying to stimulate him. The times he is awake in the sling (or out of the sling) and watching the world around him from being carried will be plenty of stimulation for him. I am not saying you must carry him all day. I'm just saying that if you are ok with carrying him and you've found a comfortable sling that allows you to do so, than don't worry about the stimulation part or the sleeping part. Really, mama...don't worry. My latest babe slept all day in the sling, got no belly time nor did I try to find stimulation for him and the kid is amazing me every day. He crawled at 5 months, stood up holding on to furniture at 6 mos and was cruising furniture before he turned 7 mos. I'm sure he'll be walking before he turns 8 mos. And he was my most carried baby and slept all the time.

[Rowansmama]

I'd just let him sleep whenever he wants. My DD was 3 months old before she got her night and day reversed. She slept all day for the first three months whether she was in the sling, at home, or in the stroller. There wasn't much I could do to keep her awake, so I gave up and went with it. Eventually she was awake for longer stretches during the day, and that will happen with your DS too. I'd enjoy the peace of being able to get things done (and snuggle!) while it lasts

[Jillian79]

At that age I just let my son sleep whenever he wanted as much as he wanted, also. He'll be awake for longer before you know it, really. And then he'll be grabbing for everything and chattering all the time. And since he's falling asleep in it so much, it really sounds as though he likes it quite a lot.

If you're concerned about being able to go out and do stuff.. Are you able to nurse him in the sling? If so, just pack the essentials and go for it. I was remembering the other day that when my ds reliably napped in the wrap for a couple hours while we were out at the playground, that it was easier for me to go out. But now that he wants to get out and play (sit up) it's not quite as easy anymore.