Baby cries if not in my arms 24/7...

Pinknights · February 2014

My son is 4 days old. He will fall asleep in my arms and as soon as I try to put him down he will cry. Last night I started to fall asleep and was scared I would drop him or roll on him, I fell asleep sitting up for a bit. What can I do? I give him regular breast milk, and have even tried small amounts of formula. He's fine as long as I don't put him down.

Help. How can I get at least an hour or two of sleep?

ashybear · February 2014

I still mostly sleep with him on me. I was so hyper aware of his every movement and sound (or, worse, his non-movement) that we both sleep better when he's in my arms/on my chest. I do put him in his bouncer or bed for at least 2 naps a day, and as long as he is in a good deep sleep (having gotten there through a lot of walking/swinging or a good long snuggle with DH or I), I get at least 45 minutes and sometimes 2+ hours.

Have you tried swaddling and/or white noise?

slmille4 · February 2014

Mine went through that phase too, hang in there!!!
I did the recliner naps with DH there to let watch and make sure baby didn't fall. But yes there were a lot of sleepless nights at first. Good luck mama.

cnwilbur1030 · February 2014

It gets better! DS still seams that way! Swaddling at night helps him. During the days where he is especially fussy, I wear him in my moby wrap to get stuff done.

joynalanson · February 2014

I had to have a few sleeps on the couch with him in my arms. I put a pillow under the arm closest to the end of the couch so I could rest it without worrying that he'd roll out of my arms. I haven't had to do that lately though. Like everyone says it will get better.

lmills730 · February 2014

The first few nights at home I slept OB the couch reclined with DS on my chest because he wouldn't go down either. It's only recently that we've worked up to 2-3 hour increments in the RnP.

thelittlepear · February 2014

DD was the same when we came home - I was lucky that she'd go to DH, so we just traded off every feeding.
One night I was just so exhausted though, that I put her down in her crib after her last night feed (we had been trying the basinette), and lo and behold, she slept.
Since then we've just tried to increase the number of sleep sessions in the crib. Tonight was the first time she went down right from her first "night" sleep session.
So now, as long as I can get her back down after this feed, we will have been in all night. I'm sure we'll go backwards at some point, but that's what's worked for us so far! Good luck!!

thegosiers · February 2014

Swaddle or use the moby until you and LO get the hang of him being an outside baby. This too shall pass!

cnctf · February 2014

I don't have much advice, but I did want to wish you we'll wishes that it gets better soon. DD is a week old on Monday, and she wants to be held quite often. It's exhausting, but I try to just let her sleep on my chest so I can at least doze off, even if it's only for 10 minutes

Mamaleeks · February 2014

Nursing laying on my side then we both fell asleep helped in that phase. He's now 4 weeks and after feeding I can put him in his bassinet next to me but we still co sleep from 4 am onwards

hang In there mama

rowanthefrog · February 2014

I highly recommend reading "Happiest Baby on the Block" if you haven't already. Swaddling a baby will give them a feeling like they are in your arms. I'd also get a good baby carrier. Personally DS3 spends several hours a day or more right now snuggled against me in my Lalabu.com Soothe shirt. I swear he thinks he's back inside when I tuck him in it.

I also nurse sidelying with him.

A

Summer889 · February 2014

My son is the same way. DH and I take turns wearing him in the moby wrap during the day and he sleeps next to me in our bed at night. I had a hard time with it at first, but it's getting easier. The way I see it, DS is going through a big transition right now and I'm happy to give him the comfort he needs as he adjusts to being an outside baby. It won't be like this forever. Hang in there!

Pinknights · February 2014

Thanks ladies! I'm on day 6 today and last night was finally ok! The suggestions you all gave have helped. It could be just the transition time.

I slept with him yesterday in my chest on the couch, we propped some pillows all around so I can sleep with him on me, wasn't the most comfortable but I got 2 full hours. He finally slept in the bassinet by himself. Only once..but it's something. DH has also stepped up a bit to take him in the mornings. Hoping it keeps up.

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