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Behaviour/development

Talk to others about child development and behaviour stages here. You can find more information on our development calendar.

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Original poster

HOW DO YOU PUT A NEWBORN TO SLEEP

68 replies

bumbly · 01/09/2007 22:04

...who wont lie down etc...

argh!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

6 weeks old and never wants to lie down..always wants to be hugged!!!

falls asleep in my arms and then carefully put him in a basket, crib, wherever and he wakes up and cries

been like this for weeks!!

any help really appreciated!!

OP posts:

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

kiskidee · 02/09/2007 11:24

as i said, I swaddled dd v. tightly till 8 mo. old. The warning against swaddling is that traditionally, people would swaddle babies all day long, and night time too.

kiskidee · 02/09/2007 11:48

this method of putting on a wrap sling is the most user friendly imho as it allows you to put in a baby after you have wrapped it around your body.

It works from day one to my now 2yo.

don't worry, you can't put them in too tightly. just make sure that his head is turned to the side for comfort and breathing after you put him in.

I dont wear the shoulder straps that wide, down my upper arm like her. I just put it on wide over my shoulders and it is enough.

wulfricsmummy · 02/09/2007 21:39

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

andiem · 02/09/2007 21:57

sleeping bag? have used one for my dcs from birth can get in John lewis and are suitable from 7lbs up or get from grobag. Keeps them warm and snuggly and they learn sleeping bag= sleep.

Would not put on front myself as moving from front to back sleeping was single biggest factor in the reduction of cot death

GuernseyCow · 02/09/2007 22:11

Some babies just seem to find it harder to get used to sleeping by themselves - not so odd when you think how they've spent the previous 9 months. Our midwife recommended a natural sheepskin fleece for the cot, which did seem to prevent our DD from noticing the move from my warm chest or lap to her cold bed, and during the day I just wore her with me in a sling. And I'm afraid she never napped in her cot until last month when at 8mo I bought her a dummy. I hate the darn thing but can't help wondering whether I'd have won myself loads more free time if I'd done this earlier.

sarahsails · 02/09/2007 23:49

Start a Routine- I found that developing a strict bedtime routine really early helped. It's hard work at first though and you have to be a bit rigid in the first few weeks. It went a bit like this. Bath, Boob (or bottle)in the bedroom with the lights low (added a book or a song later on) and then put the baby down. Don't wait for the baby to be over tired, just set a time and do it. Sit in the same room for a while, but don't let them come out of that room after a certain time. Comfort them etc in the room. It's a bit boring for you at first as you spend half the evening in the semi darkness but you can always swap with your partner. Gradually the baby gets the idea and it's not as horrible as controlled crying which I tried but made my heart ache. Hard work but definately worth it later on. My son is 3 now and never has a problem going to bed. Have also done it with my second one and he got the idea straight away (Although he didn't have much choice!!) Sorry long post.

LadyOfTheFlowers · 03/09/2007 00:00

Another vote for swaddling here!
Absolutely brilliant!
Do it as tightly as you can, it won't hurt your babe.
Ds1 would NOT be swaddled but Ds2 loved it and I swaddled him till he was about 8 months. Then again when he was ill recently and he loved it.

LadyOfTheFlowers · 03/09/2007 00:03

Swaddle him before you start hugging him if that's what you do and I personally think that is pretty normal for him to want it all the time. He has been inside you for 9 months and probably feels lonely when he is put down.
Once they fall asleep, you can usually put them down whilst swaddled up like a little grub as they don't tend to notice. Mine didn't anyway.
If you can get it quite tight, it makes them stiffer and easier to handle, making it easier to put them down undisturbed.

MrsJohnCusack · 03/09/2007 00:11

do you think you can START swaddling at nearly 6 months old? am at the end of my tether now with non-sleeping teether. have never had the need before as he slept perfectly, only now has it all gone tits up...

MissiMoo · 03/09/2007 00:25

Hello! This is the 1st time I have posted so I hope I do it right! I totally understand and swaddling is wonderful! I was a l8 swaddler with my 1st and he took to it after a few nights of trying to get out - every baby is different and it is trial and error. It's never too l8 to try it and I find that just placing a hand on them until they drop off can help? Swaddling makes them feel safe - you can also buy a swddle blanket in mothercare - I haven't tried it but my friend has one and loves it as it is so easy to use. Good luck -it will get easier!

imagineafullnightsleep · 18/09/2007 12:37

I did exactly the same as Sarahsails. But would also add, in the day time, when lo sleeps, put them down - but do it in the lounge or kitchen etc.(either in their moses basket, or on a duvet on the floor) This way, they get used to not having someone attached to them, but are also reassured by the noises etc. Different at night, use a different room, stick to a routine, also, when I first put ds in his own room (about 4 - 5 weeks) I put him in his carrycot, in the normal cot. Familiar surroundings in a new room. He was sleeping through the night at 12 weeks (and only waking for one feed from 5 weeks). Don't get me wrong, we're now at 12 months and it's all going wrong - and he's got me up 3 times a night !!!!! But it worked for the first 10 months ! Lastly, I know lots of people hate them - but get a dummy. They are brilliant. Good luck.

Notyummy · 18/09/2007 12:46

miracle swaddling blanket from mothercare. Works like a charm, and comes with instructions. I did a lot of research on swaddling and the large majority of the reports said that it does no harm at all for at least 4 months, and were inconclusive after that.

New borns do not need to sleep in a cruciix...they certainly were not like that for 9 months!!

Get dp to do the swaddle...they are generally more firm! My dd used to smile when we started to swaddle her as she knew it was time for the 'big sleep'.

marge2 · 18/09/2007 12:49

Swaddle - I swear by it. DS1 was exacty the same as your baby until at 7 weeks I was talking to a friend from my antenatal class whose baby was a week or two older than mine. She gaily said - 'Oh yes, I just swaddle Harry up and put him in his room and he goes to sleep'. I was so mad and tired by then and pissed off that I had to feed him to sleep and then lower him ever so gradually into his moses basket only for him to wake up the second he touched the sheets over and over again every time, that I decided I would try it even though I was dubious. As soon as I put down the phone I plonked him in his basket fully awake wrapped him up tight, and carried the basket up two floors to his room - wide awake with eyes wide open and staring about. I put him in his room and closed the door and went back downstairs All the while I was expecting an explosion from him and it NEVER came. He just went to sleep. I have never ever had a problem with bed times with him to this day - he starts school next week!!

Started it straight away with DS2 - It works!!

Go on give it a try!!

Tutter · 18/09/2007 12:54

am swaddling my 8 week old - works like a dream

without it (we tried once) he does not settle - wakes himself up with flailing arms

WillyWonka · 18/09/2007 12:57

Swaddling didn't work for either of mine but this did, together with a dummy. I tuck the blanket around the bolster cushions to make it snug and my 8wo will lie there perfectly contentedly, even if she's awake. Hope you find that one of the many suggestions work for you

mawbroon · 18/09/2007 12:57

Sorry haven't read whole thread, but it might be worth trying this.

Get a big towel and roll it into long sausage shape. Then lay the baby down and put the middle of the rolled up towel on the bed at the top of the baby's head and the two halves of the towel down the baby's sides so that the baby is touching the rolled up towel all round. The towel will end up sort of like a U shape. Apparently makes them feel more secure. Worked a bit for my ds, but won't lie by saying it was a miracle. Worth a try and won't do any harm I reckon.

minouminou · 18/09/2007 15:45

we had the ambi hammock with ds, and he loved it. he was in a moses basket at night for a few weeks, and in the hammock in the daytime,then moved full-time into his hammock at 6 months.
He used to jiggle and bounce quite happily for ages after waking in the morning - talking to his fave soft toy
we'd hear the springs going periodically in the evening - he'd wake, bounce,and drop off again.
He's in a cot now, as sadly,he outgrew his hammock, but I tell you - that hammock is under his cot ready for number 2.
He really does have great sleep patterns, because going in the hammock meant he learnt to get himself to sleep, as the design means babies feel secure, and can rock/jiggle themselves
another tip is a sling,we found that invaluable.
but, as may've been mentioned a few times - it WILL get better! Promise.

bubblagirl · 18/09/2007 15:55

i used to wrap my ds son tight in blanket as they did at the hospital makes them feel safe and secure and close

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