Spoiling a newborn

This may seem like a ridiculous question, but...

Can you spoil a newborn?


Dd is almost 4w old.

I've been told by the peds that you can't spoil a newborn. So she is always being held by various people. This is the only way she falls asleep, stops being fussy, etc. Ive always thought that if you hold them too much - theyll always expect that and youll be holdin them forever.

Does that make sense? What are your thoughts?


Edit: just wanted to add - I love holding my baby. I would hold her all day if possible, but my inlaws are staying with us. Of course they want to hold her as much as possible until they go back home

Message edited 4/1/2013 7:02:04 PM.

Re: Spoiling a newborn

IMHO I don't think you can spoil a newborn. At this age you just cuddle them and hold them and do whatever they need you to do. Don't worry, as she gets bigger she won't always need to be held. And keep trying things like the bouncers and the swing, at some point she will probably adjust to being in them and like it there.

Spoiling a newborn

I've been told you can spoil them when they are older. At 4 weeks you are just soothing them bc they cannot self soothe. I wouldn't worry about it

Re: Spoiling a newborn

Ive wondered the same thing and only recently keep hearing you can't spoil a newborn. I love holding my DD and I hold her a lot. She is 8 weeks. I loce especially after her bottle when she is asleep having her on my shoulder. The 8 weeks went so fast I try and enjoy tis time with her.
Thankfully, she is not a baby that always feels the need to be held to begin with.

Spoiling a newborn

You really cannot spoil a newborn. They don't learn habits (such as always being held and needing that) until they are 3 months. They have no skills yet to know how to self soothe at this point. They are just trying to get used to the world. They were in your belly where everything was taken care of for them and now they are out here and confused. So you holding them is their only way to soothe. My dd only slept on my husband and I chests at night for over a month. She wouldn't last long at all when we would put her down. By 2 1/2 months she was sleeping through the night (about 6 hours straight) in her rock n play.
I say don't worry and hold her without worry. =)
I used to worry about the same thing too so your not alone btw. =)

Spoiling a newborn

Thanks ladies -

I feel better. Sorry if it was a crazy question. I feel so much better (and will hold her as much as possible, which is amazing)

Re: Spoiling a newborn

You can't spoiled a newborn, enjoy every moment you get to hold your baby. The time goes way to fast. I held my daughter all the time and she is now 4 months old and doesn't need to be held as much.

Spoiling a newborn

Absolutely not !!

Re: Spoiling a newborn

My mil used to always say to me I hold dd too much, I think mainly bc dd would always cry with her. So while I thought mil was being ridiculous I asked the pediatrician who told me to hold her all day every day and cherish it bc it doesn't last long! Now that she's 7mos I miss her being tiny and small. You definitely cannot spoil them too much!

Spoiling a newborn

I dont believe you can spoil a newborn at all! But at 1 year old I still hold DS every chance he allows so what do I know!

Re: Spoiling a newborn

Not at 4 weeks. They need it then.

Re: Spoiling a newborn

No such thing as spoiling a newborn!

Actually I think it's a wonderful way to show them they are loved/cared for/safe/secure.

Message edited 4/1/2013 10:24:41 PM.

Re: Spoiling a newborn

No you are def not spoiling her! They are so sleepy at this point and will sleep anywhere and can transfer easily. So even if she falls asleep in your arms and then you can put her down for a bit in the RNP or wherever. I'd say somewhere around 8-10 weeks you may want to start napping her in her crib or bassinet - that is what we did.

Re: Spoiling a newborn

I thoroughly believe that you cannot possibly spoil a newborn.

A two year-old.....now that's a different story!

Re: Spoiling a newborn

Re: Spoiling a newborn

Re: Spoiling a newborn

I don't think you can. They're used to being held inside the womb for the last 9 months. Of course they want to be held. The world is a scary place! Plus, they're only that little and needy for so long. DD is 21 months and little miss independent these days. I wish I could snuggle her like I used to when she was a newborn.

Spoiling a newborn

Imho, the only thing you need to "teach" a newborn is that they are loved and safe. If that means holding them constantly, I would hold them cinstantly. I have friends who feel differently and what works for one mom and baby doesn't necesarily work for another mom and baby.

Re: Spoiling a newborn

Spoiling a newborn

Believe me..once your DC is on the move she won't want to be held and you'll miss it terribly!!!!

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Re: Spoiling a newborn

I think it's better for them to be held (or "spoiled") when they're this age. It helps with their transition to the outside world and builds confidence/sense of security because they know they're surrounded and loved.

Re: Spoiling a newborn

No way!

Spoiling a newborn

Thanks everyone!! I appreciate!!