re: I've made a HUGE mistake.

You know, I think preemies are just extra sensitive! My daughter and now my son both went through a period where just nothing made them happy! Ethan is just starting to get over his 'period' (thank god) but it really helped me to carry him during the day too. He didn't dig the sling too much so I just got one of those cheap snuggli carriers and he really likes to be in that! And I swaddle him when I lay him down to sleep. I'm not a big fan of the CIO but Ethan will cry till he's hoarse when I lay him down. I know that he's just overly tired so I wrap him up and I sit rubbing his back or patting his bum (he sleeps on his side) until he falls asleep. He still cries but it makes me feel like I'm not just abandoning him!

My son didnt start to sleep in his crib alone tell he was 8 months old I couldnt bare to let him cry it out. His father one night just laid him in there and made me leave him alone. It took 2 nights and hes been sleeping in there alone since (10 months)with no crying at night. Be careful though with letting a baby to young cry it out. Our doctor told me that you can't spoil a baby under 6 months of age and that a baby should not be left to cry it out tell atleast 5-6 months of age. So I just let him do what he wanted (sleep with me and be held) I bought one of them co sleepers for the bed and I loved it and so did he. So talk to your doctor before just letting him cry it out. Also the sling thing is a AWESOME idea with a baby that wants to be held all the time because you can still get everything done! Ha I loved mine! Good luck and remember hes going to grow up one day and not be that sweet little baby that wants his mommy all the time so enjoy it now while hes still small and wants to cuddle!

um i held my daughter all the time and the only way she will fall asleep now is if i cary her and shes nine months

I had that problem with Andrew. I got the womb bear. It worked great.

My daughter wasn't a preemie, but she was in the NICU for 2 days (long story...pisses me off), and the first night we were home, she slept in her bassinet okay. The next night, she REFUSED to sleep anywhere other than on my chest, and we did that for the first 3-4 weeks (I slept sitting up on the couch). IMO, a baby that young shouldn't be left to CIO...they're crying for a reason, and they need to know you're there to comfort them. Start slowly adjusting...that's what I had to do with Cadence. Put your baby in a bouncy or swing for a few minutes at a time, and if they start crying, give them maybe a minute, then pick them up. If you do this often enough, he'll probably adjust and not need to be held all the time. But as others have said, you can't really spoil a baby that young...they haven't learned to manipulate yet. They just need physical comfort.