Too warm for 5 S' s?

[IndecisivePramBuyer81]

My 2wk old is fighting sleep constantly. Swaddling and the 5 S' s usually work but he feels like he's getting pretty warm fairly quickly. He's most happy when he's being cuddled but again, it feels too warm Have been trying leaving him when he's calm but awake to see whether he'll go to sleep but he always wakes himself up by flailing his arms around. He's not hungry and nappy is dry...any suggestions?

[OnTheNingNangNong]

If you are able to hold him for a while I would do that, your body temperature will help regulate his temperature while it's so warm. If you have a partner or someone with you, they can hold him too, even until he's fairly settled to be popped down. It is far too warm to swaddle imo.
Sorry I can't offer any more advice, take care.

[Forgetfulmog]

What are the 5s's??

He's 2 wo though, give him a cuddle! He's used to being snugged up inside you & just wants to be close. And no, by cuddling him lots you won't be making a rod for you own back (incase anyone has said that to you).

If you so skin-to-skin next to your chest, you will naturally regulate his temp btw.

Congratulations

[Forgetfulmog]

I suspect you could swaddle if he was just a short sleeved vest & thin muslin or thin sheet.

IMO most parents overdress their babies, especially in the summer so don't be afraid to take a layer off. Just keep checking his temp.

[IndecisivePramBuyer81]

Dr Harvey Karp's 5 S' s-swaddling, side position, shushing, swinging, sucking. .

But I'm absolutely boiling and when I lift him on my chest I'm bright pink where he's been and he's incredibly warm? Have been SO paranoid as a FTM in this bloody heat. Am going to start googling rain dances!

Ignoring temp concerns, I love cuddling him, but I can't put him down after as he wakes up straight away with the usual flailing..

[IndecisivePramBuyer81]

I've had him in just his nappy and a cotton swaddle cloth and have also tried just a vest and using a muslin to tuck him in. He fights his way out of the muslin in minutes though.

[Forgetfulmog]

Hmm probably not the best person to offer advice but if I were you I'd just let him sleep on you - he's so tiny still. Strip him off to his nappy & put him next to your chest - he'll be perfectly comfortable & warm without being too hot

[Forgetfulmog]

First bit if last post should have said that I'm still co-sleeping with my 10 mo so prob not the best person to offer advice

[CreatureRetorts]

Well he's 2 weeks - he won't want to be put down. He's little.

Have you got a fan?

[IndecisivePramBuyer81]

Yep fan has been on constantly for about a week!

Will just pick him up next time he kicks off and give him a cuddle then. Am worried about co sleeping too but will just have to try to stay awake until he might go down on his own.

Am finding it hard that I can't find any sense of normalcy at the moment because he's taking over every facet of my life. I know it's only temporary while he's so small but really need an hour to myself! OH is great, but getting frustrated too

[Forgetfulmog]

Yep babies do that!

It's a huge shock isn't it? Just give yourself both time to adjust. Remember, every parent goes through the same thing - you're not alone!

[CreatureRetorts]

It is a shock. Maybe accept that you won't get much time to yourselves just yet. This baby has been with you 24/7 for the last 9 months and he needs you a little bit more.

Do you have family to help? Perhaps they can take him for little walks for 30 mins here or there.

Sometimes people think that babies will be settled in bed by 7, sleep through etc etc but in reality it isn't that way at all. With my first we were in a twilight zone for the first few weeks. Barely getting dressed some days. I remember it fondly

[CreatureRetorts]

Also try to put him down after he's been asleep for 20 mins. He's more likely in a deep sleep then so less likely to wake up. But if he wakes, not the end of the world.

[IndecisivePramBuyer81]

Thanks all. Yes, it's been really overwhelming! will try putting hkm down after 20mins and see if that works too

[IndecisivePramBuyer81]

Out of Stock interest, when WILL I start making a rod for my back by cuddling on demand? Am now getting worried I'm making life difficult for myself in a few weeks/months time..

[IndecisivePramBuyer81]

out of stock?! That's the predictive on my phone trying to be too clever!

[Forgetfulmog]

You won't op, anyone that tells you you will is talking utter bollocks. He's your baby, there is no such thing as too many cuddles for your child no matter what age.

I do think that as a society we're far too quick to make babies as independent as possible, but they are just babies - babies that want to be as close to their mums (& dads!) as possible. It's just a survival instinct - if they're close to their food source then they won't starve. Cuddles impart safety & comfort which your baby needs.

I know I'm sounding all woo & hippy here but I do genuinely believe that you will never make a rod for your own back by cuddling your child.

[Charrin10]

Hi , I hope you don't mind me jumping in here, my baby is 16 weeks and whilst he's happy to sleep on his cot at night in the day he prefers to sleep on us ( sometimes he will go in his Moses basket but if so it's never for long and then he wakes up grumpy!) like op has said I'm concerned about having him on me in this warm weather as I'm warm also, I know they say with newborns skin on skin helps regulate temperature but does the same still apply when they are 16 weeks +? I have also been praying for rain / snow just to cool down! Lol
Sorry again for hijacking thread! X

[Strokethefurrywall]

Just to give you a perspective from a warm climate, we keep our house cooled to a constant temperature of about 82oF (28oc) (outside is usually 35oc+)

DS was swaddled in the miracle blanket every night from birth to about 16 weeks when he got too big and I would just put him in a pamper and nothing else. He slept brilliantly in the miracle blanket because he couldn't flail and jolt himself awake.

I think homes in the UK feel hotter during this kind of heat as ours here are designed to keep heat out but if you're keeping a fan on him, he will be absolutely fine - if the 5 s's work and the swaddling is allowing you to rest and for baby to feel secure then go for it.