My ten week old has suddenly starting rejecting my husband when he tries to put her down for a nap or bedtime. His arms get very warm and he has tried multiple alternatives (i.e. pillows, blankets) to cradling her in his arms so she doesn't get over heated but now she just cries and cries. He says she will start to fall asleep, opens her eyes and sees him and then will start crying. Just today he tried to put her down for a nap and after 15 minutes of her crying in his arms (right from the start), I took her and had her asleep within four minutes. Help!
Thanks to everyone who wrote me. Seems she might have been trying to tell me she was growing up as she now seems to be ok with being put down on her bed with no holding, by either of us. I am sure she will change again but for now, she doesn't seem to need either of us.
Have daddy keep trying and you should walk away. If you start taking over she will only ever want you. This is the time period babies start to get fussy. Its okay if she does not go down in four minutes with him. She probably spends most of her time with you and is most use to you. I purposly make my husband bath my daughter and put her to sleep every night. I am with her all day and that is there special time together. Hope this helps.
They just need their mamas. They know. We smell like mama, and they know they need to be with mama. So I wouldnt fight it. This is not the time to train your baby. Take her lead and assure your husband that in a few months he will be able to do this again, and by the time the baby is a toddler she wont want anything to do with you, and will just want to be with her dad. Aslo - they are always changing, so this may change too, soon. There's no harm in trying again every so often.
Are you nursing her? it could just be that she enjoys your scent more than your husbands. Sometimes babies just don't want to be around certain people or their habits change when they get older. Your husband shouldn't take it offensively she's just a baby and when she gets a little bigger she'll warm up. She could just need to spend more time with him when she is feeding.
Hi Z.,
I feel your pain, my now 8-1/2 month old daughter had a similar experience at that age. I found that my husband and I had different routines when putting her to sleep and YES my daughter knew the difference even at that age. My husband is a lefty and I'm right handed, so even the way we held her was different and a little confusing for her. I don't think it's your husband's warm arms as babies at that age love the warmth. You might see if you both have the same routine for putting her down. My husband and I have the exact same routine now and my daughter has no trouble with either of us putting her to sleep. I hope this helps!
