2 week old breastfed baby won't sleep alone

[Rif3121M]

Hi all my DS is two weeks old and I'm exclusively breastfeeding although it's going well he will not sleep in his cot I have the tiny love rocker-napped and that is the only thing he will sleep in at night. But he has to be almost fully asleep or completely asleep for him to settle in it. I coslept with my DD for 5 months then she refused to breastfeed so we quit and started sleeping 8hr+ in her cot alone. I don't want to cosleep this time it terrifies because of toddler running in and dogs. I just want any advice on the nighttime routine with my two week old im drifting off each feed and by time I wake to put him in his cot he's needing another feed then it starts again. im exhausted and DP is great letting me sleep in but he goes back to work on Monday so I'm dreading the mornings. I need more sleep. Any advice would be great TIA. Xxx

[lilydaisyrose]

Same issue here with a 2w old (daughter born on 21/12!) but it's not bothering me too much at the moment. I sleep well if she's in with us as I feed lying down and drift off. I'm not being too strict though as DH and I love the cuddles and we'll hopefully start a routine around 6w.

Sorry, no advice but you are not alone!

[Believeitornot]

When I had my second dc I did forget just how much they need you as a newborn.

I coslept with my second dc and did it safely until we stopped at 9 months. In the day dd slept in the sling or in the pram when she got older.

[knossospalace]

I have a six month old and was never going to co sleep. I started at three months as it was taking me two hours to get her to drift off with me resting my hands on her through the cot bars and numerous rocking attempts. I tried everything.

My only regret is that I spent three months having less sleep and, next time, I would co sleep from the start. I too breastfeed and it's deemed safe to co sleep from the start if doing so according to La Leche League.

My advice is co sleep and teach the toddler not to jump on the bed but to wake you first and lock the dogs out until you're awake. I have a bouncy Cockapoo who has learned to not jump on my DD even though I thought this impossible.

Good luck. Sleep the way that gets you the most rest!

[FATEdestiny]

A tight swaddle makes transferring and moving baby easier.

[Note3]

There's all sorts of things you can try. Off the top of my head:

• put on of your tshirts that you've worn for at least a day over the mattress before you lay baby down so it still smells of you once they're down.
  
• also warm the cot first with hot water bottle of putting a blanket over radiator then laying it under baby as the shock of going from warm mum to cold bed can rouse them
  
• when you lay them down (wait approx 10-15 mins after first fall asleep to try) and keep hand on their tummy firmly for a min or two once down
  
• watch out for startle reflex (hence why swaddling popular) when you put them down be careful to pin their arms a little
  
• can be a good idea to either make same sound, sing same song or play same music when you are both getting them to sleep and as you transfer then down. They will then associate with sleep after a few goes.
  

Whatever you try, you honestly can't deem it not to be working until you've done it at least a week so keep at it.

I'm on DC3 (both no 2 and 3 co slept) and as much as I love it admittedly there are drawbacks and I do wish I'd persevered more. I will instead do for DC3 the same as DC2 and move then out of my bed around 2 yrs!

[PotatoWaffleCob]

You need to sleep. That is so important. Do whatever you need to do to sleep. I had such a terrible time with DD1 that I vowed never to be so sleep deprived again. When DD2 arrived in Oct she refused her cot so she slept with me until she was 8 weeks old. I tried a few times to get her into her cot but it took until week 8 before she was ready (and I fully expect sleep regressions). She is 11 weeks old now and is happy in her cot. Google "fourth trimester". Your baby is so young, he probably doesn't know he's been born yet!

Re your DD, DH sleeps in another room atm and my 3yo DD1 jumps in with me in the middle of the night. She is old enough to understand to come in quietly on "her side" so she has never disturbed or harmed DD2. I wouldn't push for your DD to stay in her own room if she is used to coming into yours as she may associate this with the new baby and feel shut out. Pap DP onto the couch or a spare room if you've got one. Get one babby on either side of you.