(Re from 0-3 mo) Newborn not wanting to be put down

namara5532 · February 2012

Our LO is 3 days old now, and we've had him home for 2 nights. We quickly noticed that he will not tolerate being put in his crib to nap, even if he's dead asleep. He will start fussing. We tried making sure he was fed and changed before putting him down, and he's swaddled, but within 60 seconds he's screaming bloody murder. I don't know how the hospital nurses managed to keep him calm enough to nap in their cribs.

We are desperate to get him used to being put down, even if he's only willing to nap for 10 minutes. We feel like we have to hold him constantly to keep him happy, and he's been sleeping in our arms the past 2 days (DH and I tag-team so we can get things done). At this age, is there anything we can do? We asked his pediatrician yesterday, and she didn't have any suggestions for us except that it should get easier in a couple weeks. Should we just concede that we won't be able to put him down at all until he gets older? Or is there some trick we should be trying?

rebelina1 · February 2012

This is completely normal. Babies like the secure feeling of being cuddled and held. My DS still prefers our arms over his crib. He does really well in the cradle swing since the cradle mimics our arms and he likes the movement.

Until he gets older you can try baby wearing. Good luck!

SoonToBeMsP · February 2012

DD would sleep in her crib, but it took a lot of energy and time to put her down without her waking up and crying. We noticed she slept really well in her PnP bassinet, so we thought the crib was "too big and vast" for her to feel comfortable. We went out and bought a Rock N Play and that has been amazing. We can put her down AWAKE and she'll go to sleep on her own in it.

I would try seeing if your LO feels the same way if you have a bassinet or cradle available for use. Worth a try?

ETA: I will add that is totally normal behavior, though... Just trying to offer some help!

talitha712 · February 2012

Totally normal. A crib can feel really big and open to a new baby who's used to being cozy and close. Try a swing or bassinet or something that sort of cradles your baby so they still feel cozy. It will get better as LO gets bigger.