baby won't settle unless held / sounds like a gremlin

[margherita76]

My DD is only 3 weeks so I know it is very very young and I am not expecting a routine or anything but I just wanted some feedback. She won't settle unless she is being held and unless she is in a very deep sleep I can't put her in her basket to sleep. Sometimes she seems to be asleep I put her in basket and the eyes flick open and she starts to make noises like an otter / gremlin, or starts crying, until I pick her up. Is this something that with time will get better?

Swaddle her, i.e wrap her in a sheet so she feels safe and so that if you hold her until she goes to sleep she won't notice so much when you put her down, this is what they did a long time ago and it does work. Failing that put a soft muslin or something by her cheek so that she feels safe and snuggled although you need to consider the safety aspect of this as it could go over her face, I tied my to the crib and cut it smaller. As she is snuggled up and warm to you she may be very aware when you put her down and feel chilly and insecure. Bit like if you go to sleep during the day (a distant memory) and then wake up and you feel all cold etc. Give the swaddling a go also when you put her down place your hand on her and so she can still feel secure then gradually lift it off. Dim lighting also helps.

this might help? :)

It WILL get better, honestly. You could try a warm (not hot) water bottle in the crib so that she's not going from your warm arms onto a cold sheet. Also, something that smells like you tucked into the sheet?

interesting advice thank you

Super - Ive tried swaddling but she fights it as she always wants her arm up like superman. might try it again but tighter

myhusband - good name!

thanks!

so the swaddling - touch wood- seemed to work! We had a lot less otter noises and I feel almost human!