Any Baby Whisperer Fans Out There?

LOVED the Baby Whisperer and her view on what babies need. We went to it when we needed to establish a routine and again when we did the night time weaning. I don't think that we started that early but I know that we did the night time weaning at 6.5 months. We used a swing for naps for the first 6 months but I do not recommend going for that long because it took a week (of using the Baby Whisperer routine) of breaking that habit. Much harder than the weaning. I went back to work but my spouse wore my kid in a sling for cooking and cleaning.

Good Luck, I am a big fan of sleeping when they do, hang in there! Nat

I used parts of the Baby Whisperer to help me learn about routines especially since I was lost with my first. But your baby is just 5 weeks old! You can't expect much at this point. She is learning how to navigate this big new world. It is very different from the close comfort of the womb. That's why she wants to be held and will sleep then. She wants, needs and craves the comforts of the womb. Google 4th trimester. That is where she is. It will give you tips and tricks to make her more comfy. I also really liked Dr. Sears Baby Sleep book and the No-cry sleep solution. All have great tips, tricks and info on infant sleep that kept me sane with my first.

You can't expect any kind of self-soothing at this point. She is running purely on instinct. The shhh-pat thing means absolutely nothing to her right now and won't for a while. She's just far too young.

Are you swaddling her when you put her down? At this point she really should just be eating and sleeping for the most part. Try using a mayawrap. It literally saved my life with my high needs preemie who needed to be held-a lot! It kept him close in a variety of holds and I had free hands to eat, do dishes, cook,etc. As far as work out and shower-you could power walk pushing them in the stroller at the mall before it opens. Showers you may just have to grab at night when another adult is home. For a long time I had to shower before bed when my second was sleeping. Not my fav as I like a morning shower but mamas gotta do what mamas gotta do lol!

And keep in mind this won't last. Enjoy the close comfort that you are providing to her.

5 weeks!! that little one is doing what she should be doing. Swaddle tight but don't expect long stretches.

I loved the baby whisperer book, i loved the structure with out the rigid scheduling, the baby leads but you have a plan for response. But to be honest i didn't really think it was recommended for babies under 3 months. maybe i'm wrong but i don't think you would get big stretches of sleep under that mark.
there used to be a message board for it.

my 5 week old loves sleeping in the swing.
i would try that. i agree with whoever said she is probably too young for the baby whisperer. we used it when my first dd was about 6 months so that we could stop rocking her to sleep. it worked great! we will definitely use it again with this baby when she is a bit older.

I've only heard about the baby whisperer book but haven't read it. Is that the one that tells you to have your baby on the schedule where you never feed them to sleep? Like you feed them when they wake up and have them go to bed always awake and never let them fall asleep while nursing on with a bottle? If it is then I think that's part of the problem. My sister in law does this method and the thing is her kids never take good naps during the day. She says it drives her crazy cause her baby won't sleep longer than 30 min. during the day. But I think if her baby had a nice full tummy and she let her nurse to sleep she would probably sleep better. That's how I used to put my babies down for naps and they always took a 1 to 2 hour morning nap and a 2 to 3 hour afternoon nap. Having a full tummy really helps. Also you could try putting him down to sleep in a vibrating bouncy chair or a swing. The motion helps them sleep better. and swaddle him, he is super little and wants that closeness.

Sling the baby and do what you can do. How long does she stay awake? Some babies are very alert. make sure she has colorful, glistening things to look at. I would put mine by the window so they could see out, that would work for a little while. Maybe turn down the tv and just let the images show and set her in her carseat and the images will catch her eye and keep her occupied while you catch up with your 3 yr old. You have to get really creative sometimes :)
I had a friend that put her baby in the car seat and set it on the washer or dryer while it was running, it worked like a charm. You just have to take precautions that the seat wont vibrate off of the machine of course.

I've had great luck with just holding my hand on their back (pressure) without patting, slowly rubbing in a circle and ultimately just keeping my hand still, then moving it away. At the same time I would also very quitely do the sssshhhh, like a white noise sound almost. That might be a good alternate to holding.

If you aren't already swaddling, I'd try that so she can get a deeper sleep.

good luck!

Ok, well my baby needed to be worn a whole lot, I even got a sling that I could take him in the shower with me! Hot Slings had the one I took him the shower with (pool sling). Get a good wrap to wear baby with. I would do laundry, dishes, vaccume, all sorts of things ... I even worked in a baby store and he just loved his wrap time it was WONDERFUL bonding time in addition to breastfeeding. You could find more time to play with your toddler while you are wearing the new baby. Try it you just might find it to be your salvation.
btw: I am not sure about the baby whisper thing you mentioned but my son had refulx and could not sleep well unless he was upright so we just napped on mommy. Oh and you can do a low impact step/belly dancing type work out if you need to work out.

I read and loved the baby whisperer and the idea of a routine but it didn't apply directly to my little one and definitely not that young. I totally agree with swaddling - it was like magic for my little one and we swaddled a LONG time - close to a year. The miracle blanket was the best. We also used a swing for those times she was too fussy to sleep any other way. SOmetimes the stroller was good too - you can use that for your exercise if you have a double - put the 3 yr old in and let the baby nap while you do a brisk walk or even a jog. GOod luck.

I used the Baby Whisperer method and my baby napped and slept like a champ. She slept through the night by 3 months, and did great. I also swaddled her until she was 9 months old because she slept better that way. I wish someone had told me about swaddling earlier, I think my daughter was 2 weeks old when I read the BW, as well as the Happiest Baby on the Block, and started swaddling. She slept like a dream after that.