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XP: Newborn Sleeping Help...
I posted this on 0-6 also...
I am heistant as I am sure it is a common question. I have gone back 5 pages and haven't found anything yet...
I had my baby naturally last Thursday. It was amazing and so is she...The days are great - she is really content and happy...nurses awesome, but the nights...not so much sleeping! 
However, she will only sleep on our chests. The min. we put her down she is mad and then I just end up nursing and nursing to soothe her and get her back to sleep. Nursing has been super easy!
This is only day 4 at home (3 nights so far). I thought she liked being swaddled but I feel like that is not the case. We have the mirical blanket and the swaddle-me wrap and neither seemed to help last night. She kicks her way out and just starts to wail. We tried a pacifier because she loves to suck- she spits it out after about 3 mis and starts to cry and then doesn't want it back.
So any advice on helping her to sleep without being on my chest? I am not going to let her cry and am not a fan of co-sleeping. Any adivce or sleep stories would be so appreciated!
This discussion has been closed.
Re: XP: Newborn Sleeping Help...
We had issues with sleeping without being held with both of our daughters. We just went with whatever got us the most sleep for those first few months. We co-slept (I was not a fan before baby as well, but when you are tired, you do what works - just because you do it when they are little like your DD doesn't mean you will always be co-sleeping), she slept in the swing alot and we held her to sleep much of the time as well - on the couch or in the glider.
With Maggie she went to her crib for the night at about 4 weeks old and Molly really just started at aboput 2.5 months old to do the crib all night (of course waking up for feedings, i don;t want to give the mistaken impression she STTN already). Even now, she is in the crib from about 9PM to 4AM when she gets restless and then we go to the swing until 6AM when we get up for the day. I just need that extra rest that the swing gives me.
Your DD is so little still I would just do whatever gets you through the night and start trying the crib etc later. They say you can't spoil them at this age and my kids transitioned to the crib just fine when they were ready - I thought I'd never be able to put them down either without a ton of crying but once they matured a little bit it is better.
Also with the pacifier neither of my kids could hold one in on their won until they were older (maybe 4 mo? I can't remember with Maggie and Molly still doesn't hold hers in). I can't tell the hours I have spent in front of the swing gently holding in the pacifier while they swing back and forth until they fell asleep.With Molly I try and hold her against my chest so the paci doesn't fall out until she is sleepy, then I let it fall out once she is drowsy.
Is there any particular reason you're not a fan of co-sleeping? It sounds like that what your daughter needs right now. The first few months, esp those first 6 weeks or so is a huge adjustment for your baby. She's used to being in motion and against you. It's a huge difference being laid down still and alone in a crib. Allison either slept at my side (and nursed) in bed, on my chest, or in the co-sleeper next to the bed if she was really deeply asleep. You just have to do what works for you and your baby. As long as you aren't drinking alcohol, or taking drugs that make you extra drowsy co-sleeping is perfectly safe. If you want more reassurance I'd suggest reading some articles on mothering.com or some articles written by Dr. McKenna.
I think we lucked out with both our girls because they didn't need to be held to sleep... a tight swaddle was enough to keep them feeling cozy. Are you swaddling tightly? I can't imagine a four day old breaking out of Swaddle Me or Miracle Blanket. Or maybe you have one strong baby!
Congratulations on the baby! I love her name. I had a very similar situation and ended up being a reluctant co-sleeper for the first 5 weeks. I did whatever got me sleep and I'm glad I did. It was easy to transition eventually. During the day I tried, whenever possible to put her down (although that worked sporadically). Eventually she got it without too much effort on my part. SHe also had reflux and until that was treated could not be on her back without gagging/choking.
Good luck! I found that my DD naturally matured and was able to sleep on her own easily and that at the beginning getting sleep was all that mattered.
I'm not vehemently against co-sleeping if it's done the right way (DD still sleeps in our room)... but, BF in bed on your side in the middle of the night can be extremely dangerous. I personally know of an infant (one of my bestfriend's friends) that died of suffocation.
Whatever you decide to do, please be careful, and get the appropriate co-sleeping equipment to protect your baby...
Happiest Baby on the Block helped us a lot. swaddle, swing, etc.
The swaddle might not be tight enough if she's breaking out. THe miracle blanket was too big for my son the first month or so.
A lot of newborns have day/night reversal.
We are going to watch the Happiest Baby on the Block tonight. I think I have the swaddle down... I had to find the right blanket (actually one taken from the hospital). I at least have her in a tight swaddle... however my mother is here holding her while she sleeps. I tried to lay her in the cradle and she at least layed there for a few mins. looking around but my mom wants to hold her... one step at a time. The miricale blanket is too big but might work later on.
As for co-sleeping... my husband and I are both active sleepers. He has kicked me really hard before and thrown his elbow into me. I am a rally hard sleeper and it takes a lot to wake me. I know that everyone says your sleep patterns change with a baby but I am just not willing to risk it. A friend of ours co-sleeps and her husband accidently threw his elbow into the baby's head one night leaving a dent. Social services got involved when they went to the hospital... she had woken up to a lifeless newborn. I just can't risk it. It scares me too much.
On that note... my mother just layed her down after getting her good and asleep... crossing fingers.
I just want her to still feel safe sleeping without sleeping on me. Don't get me wrong, I love to hold her. I have hardley let her go yet.
You may want to try different pacifiers too since there are different shapes with different brands. My son hated the Avent ones, but loved the soothie and Nuk. Be sure to get a strap/keeper so you don't have to fish around for it at night or constantly wash it when it constantly falls out