5 week old will only sleep on chest

[Beebonnet]

My 5 week old won't sleep in her Moses basket day or night - in fact, she doesn't want to sleep on her back, even in my arms. She startles after a few minutes and cries. We've tried swaddling, but she struggles to free her arms and cries. Have also tried elevating her head, my shirt in the basket, muslin under her head and lowering her in gently, warming mattress, white noise, rocking, music - you name it!

The other night I stripped my bed of everything (DH is sleeping in another room) and put her beside me in her sleeping bag (I was cold, uncomfortable and terrified of smothering her!) but even then she woke up when she realised she wasn't in my arms.

"Sleep when she sleeps" doesn't work, because this is day and night, and it's not safe for her to sleep with her on me.

Not sure what to do - I love cuddling her and don't want to wish the time away - I know she's still tiny and just wants the comfort - but I'm in danger of falling asleep with her on me.

[Mummyk1982]

Try using a sling or wrap during the day- worked a treat for me :-)
You DC is still very young and I would say totally normal for them to want to be on you/with you all the time. I spent many a night 'sleeping' on the sofa (more like sitting there terrified of smothering her!) just so she could sleep! It'll pass as they get bigger- it just doesn't feel like it right now! X

[G1raffe]

I was just thinking how much I missed this. My 7 year old curled up on me yesterday and I was telling her about her pretty much either breast feeding or sleeping on me most of the day.

Box set, tea and bottle of water, packet of biscuits or a sandwich for later and sorted.

[Ellieboolou27]

Mine slept in arms for around 6-8 weeks, it's quite normal as first 6-8 weeks hardest, don't worry too much, start worrying if at 5 months she's still doing it

[TangerineTrees]

My little boy is the same, he's 7 weeks now. Cuddles with him asleep on my chest is the most amazing thing and yet I totally understand your frustration - you need to sleep! I invested (I say invested because it costs a flipping fortune) in a Sleepyhead bed and I have to say he now sleeps in that quite happily. He's even had a daytime nap in it! Maybe worth a thought if you're desperate (and fancy taking out a second mortgage..)

[cookiefiend]

It will pass. My 14 week old now sleeps quite happily in the bed next to me rather than in my arms. Those first six weeks were tough though.

[KatyK1980]

My two week old boy is the same! I nap in the daytime propped up on sofa with him on my chest. At night I doze with him on me but it's not exactly quality sleep! I love how he just wants to be close all time it is exhausting! You're not alone!

[KatyK1980]

*that should read - I love how he just wants to be close all the time but it is exhausting!

[Beebonnet]

Thank you all! So you just slept with baby on you? I'm really worried about doing this as I know it's not safe, but even with DH and I taking turns, I'm utterly exhausted and find myself dropping off. Last night I tried to put her down every hour for five hours and then fell asleep myself. We've had friends and family staying overnight to help out, but can't have someone here all the time.

Have tried a Sleepyhead in the last week - no luck for me. Will keep it for when she's older though, as I've got it now.

[FATEdestiny]

Have you got a cot?

You can remove one side off the cot with an allen key. Then wedge it up to your bed. This makes it an extension of your own bed. Because a full sized cot is bigger than a crib, it means you can cuddle right into the cot.

This may mean initially sleeping with your head and shoulders right in the cot, arms wrapped around baby. But over time you can gradually start extracting yourself once baby is asleep.

[G1raffe]

I slept with the baby on me in the early days. only do if not been drinking or in medications and check duvet is out the way. Google safe collecting!

Then we did as above with half a cot attached so I could roll her over sometimes.

[G1raffe]

Safe collecting!? Co sleeping.

[superking]

Could she have reflux? I noticed you said that even when in your arms, she still doesn't like being on her back. Common signs are discomfort/ writhing whilst feeding, lots of vomiting, coughing and spluttering noises when laid on her back.
My DS had it and would only sleep upright in a sling or on a chest for quite a while. You can get medication to help control it though we just rode it out.

[Beebonnet]

G1raffe - thank you. Have read up on co-sleeping and everything indicates baby should be beside you in bed, not on you, I think, as she is effectively on her tummy? Might be safest option though, to make things safe if I'm going to land up falling asleep anyway. As soon as I try and roll her into Sleepyhead or onto mattress, she wakes. Tried putting my arms around her, not good enough! She is high maintenance!

Superking, have read about different kinds of reflux - she does squirm when feeding and very often get a long bout of hiccups after a feed, but she isn't sick apart from a small posset, which seems fairly normal? Also, she won't sleep with basket elevated or in swing/car seat, so I've kind of dismissed that idea, though perhaps I should get it properly checked out?

Sorry, I don't mean to sound dismissive, I've just tried so many things. Maybe I'm looking for an answer that isn't there...

[Aishyy]

Beebonnet, I am currently in the same situation as you. I read ur post and it’s as if you’re describing my life! Please please can you tell me if you found any solution. She is 6 weeks old and currently on my chest and I am in danger of nodding off. If there is no solution...when did this phase pass for you?

Thank you so much

[crazycatlady5]

@Aishyy you should look into safe cosleeping. I did when my ‘never wanted to be put down’ newborn wouldn’t settle and at 19 months we’ve never looked back.

[Aishyy]

Thanks for your reply crazy cat lady. I have tried putting her next to me with my arm around her but she still cries. The only way is to put her on my chest which means I don’t get any sleep myself. If i try transferring her down next to me or into her basket she wakes up within 10mins. I can’t get any rest