Getting baby down to sleep

[user1489338020]

Hello everyone,
Just looking for some advice. I have a beautiful healthy 2 week old girl who feeds and sleeps really well throw out night and day. I'm breastfeeding on demand and she usually wakes herself up to feed about every 3 hours and sleeps pretty soundly the majority of the rest of the time.

Problem is she will only sleep in me or my husband.
We've tried swaddling, which she seems to hate as soon as we do it (I also worry she'll be too hot) and she seems to like to be able to 'over her arms and legs.
We've also tried warming her Moses as basket/crib and a white noise app and using one of my tops as a sheet, still no joy.
She will go in her basket/ crib for maybe 5 minutes before she starts to cry.
We also have a sleepyhead which she doesn't seem to like much either!

What I'm mainly struggling with is how to keep persevering with this and when I jut start seeing a difference. I don't know how many times to try something before giving up on it and the sleep deprivation isn't helping!
I love the cuddles, but when husband goes back to work, I'm not sure how we are going to get any sleep (and I'm really nervous about cosleeping)

Thanks

[teaandbiscuitsforme]

Would you consider cosleeping or are you absolutely against it? It's not for everyone but it was an absolute lifesaver for me with DD and now I've got 9 week DS and we've coslept from the start. It's the easiest way to get the most amount of sleep and once you've mastered feeding lying down, you never have to get up!

If it's something you'd like to consider, Google the safe cosleeping guidelines. I can't help much with how to get your DD into a cot, I've never managed it myself!

[user1489338020]

I'm not 100% against it, it just scares me! Might try it for daytime naps first as OH has another. Week paternity...

[Heirhelp]

Cosleep. I started to cosleep at 6 months and the difference is amazing. ISIS at Durham university have great fact sheets on safe cosleeping based on their research.

Also and MN favourite get a sling so she can nap while you do things.

[Ebbenmeowgi]

I second the sling, and absolutely brilliant things. Instantly sends baby to sleep and I can get other stuff done. If you're worried about co sleeping in the bed what about having a cot with the side down pushed up to the bed like a sidecar arrangement? That way baby has their own safe space but is still next to you.

[EmilyRosanne]

Would she take a dummy? DC2 (8 months) is breastfed and has had a dummy since birth, its never interfered with breastfeeding and I usually breastfeed to sleep then if she starts to stir put the dummy in before shes fully woken and its enough just to soothe her back to sleep. DC1 was just like you describe and he co-slept for a good 18 months where id let him sleep on my chest for half hour then roll him onto the bed (side with no covers, pillows etc) but at the time it was reccomended but now the SIDS guidelines are against co-sleeping and after doing a baby first aid where they talked about this and the dangers I wouldnt take the risk.

[GinIsIn]

We have the same and at 3 weeks are just starting to manage to get him to sleep in his sleepyhead in his bedside crib. It's all about how you put them down. When he's asleep in frog pose on my chest, I wait 20 mins so he's sound asleep, then when I put him down, I lean right forward so he's still in contact with my chest right until he's down in the sleepyhead. It takes practise but I'd quite effective!

[riddles26]

I had the same problem to start with and it is really tough. She just wanted to sleep on someone and we used to tag team on the sofa so one of us could get some sleep for the first few weeks. I had exactly the same reservations about co-sleeping. I eventually bought a sleepyhead (I note you already have one) at around 4 weeks, she went in it no problems and we haven't looked back at that part.

Use a sling during the day and if you do choose to co-sleep, follow the guidelines and you will both sleep better. Start it for naps rather than night sleep - I did occasionally co-sleep for naps in the early days but just not at night

[user1489338020]

Hi everyone,
Thanks for all the advice. Have finally got her to start sleeping in the sleepyhead in bed but she is definitely not sleeping as much/as soundly. Should I persevere though?

[Bex134]

Definitely persevere, my LO was the same.,you just need to keep putting them down and gradually it gets longer. He now loves lying and kicking around to play as well as for sleeping and doesn't cry as soon as he wakes from lying.

I know it sounds hard but it does quickly get better. We did a little bit of cosleeping just to try and get some rest but i didn't really like it. It's all personal choice.

[FATEdestiny]

Are we talking a tiny 2-3 week old here?

Some things that might help:

• Swaddle whilst in the sleepyhead (a cot sheet is fine for this, tight round the shoulders is good)
  
• dummy. Sucking is an absolute his send for baby sleep
  
• white noise, loud.
  
• movement (bouncy chair, pushchair, car journey)
  
• limited awake time between sleeps
  
• frequent feeds. At this age, if doubt, feed.

[FATEdestiny]

God* send

[Luckyminnisoo]

I think my main strategy for daytime naps has been fresh air so my dd has gone to sleep in pram and slept outside all cosy for naps 6-15mo. For nighttime, I second the white noise, downloaded from you tube but then moved on to a Gaelic lullaby CD Tàladh which is very soothing for both of us and she seemed to sleep more deeply. And nice for second language hearing too.