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Baby Won't Sleep By Himself

sillypig78sillypig78
in Attachment Parenting

Hi Everyone,

My 7 week old son would only nap/sleep with me holding him or having him on a sling.  He would wake up every time I put him down or just sleep for 20 min max, regardless how long I was holding him before putting him down.  He has been sleeping on my husband's chest.  My son is not sleeping comfortably and he is getting very little sleep.  We are both very exhausted and frustrated.  We have tried to use a vibrating chair and a swing, and he would just cry.  We have tried co-sleeping with him but it only works half of the time.  We have talked to the doctor and she's no help.  Does any one have any suggestions as to how to transition him to his crib?  Thanks in advance!


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Re: Baby Won't Sleep By Himself

  • jshfjshf member
    Are you swaddeling when putting him in his crib?  DS1 never liked his crib and stopped sleeping in it when he couldn't be swaddled.  I eventually got a toddler matress, put it on the floor and put baby safety gates around it.  I would nurse him to sleep and then he would stay there and I would be able to get up.  He always had to be held/worn and didn't like the chair or swing.  We did end up bedsharing too.  As long as there is nothing wrong medicaly with your LO, I think you just need to experiment to see what will work.  Plus at that age, they go through so many changes it's hard to find on thing to fix the situation.  I would also read different sleep books to give you ideas.  NCSS, The Sleep Lady are good.  The Baby Whisperer has some good points as well although she is not the most AP.  Even Ferber's book is helpful.  We don't do CIO, but I thought his book was educational and when your LO gets older, you may use some of his tips.  GL!
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  • pixieprincsspixieprincss member

    Your baby is still a newborn and so this is still very much in the realm of developmentally normal (albiet exhausting). Until 7 weeks ago, your baby was "held" by you 24/7. Even if you hold your baby 18 hours a day, that still would be a HUGE jump for baby. So, over time it is likely that your child will just naturally grow out of this. That said, there are still things you can try!

    Personally, I would focus on everyone getting some reasonable degree of sleep wherever it works before fixating on the crib. Now is still survival mode! I noticed you said that you put the baby down. One good trick is to move yourself, not baby. Can you nurse him (or otherwise soothe him) side-laying or with him on his back and you kind of hovering over him and then when he has been asleep for 15 minutes, inch away ever so slowly, replacing your body with something that smells like you (perhaps your pajamas or a worn shirt)?

    Have you tried letting baby sleep in a wrap or other carrier while you go about your business? Baby is used to the rythym of your body as you move around. Now the world is stiller, and colder, and quiter. The Happiest Baby on the Block 5s are also good for soothing baby and recreating that woomb enviornment.

    You could try a chiropractor who specializes in infants. Sometimes a gentle adjustment will help.

    Finally, you can just wait it out. That is soooo hard when you are exhausted, but changing my own expectations of what baby "should" be is hugely motivational to me.

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