Suggestions needed for newborn routine

[Snarfle]

My DS is almost five weeks old and I want to start thinking about routines for him. At the moment he sleeps in our bed and has started to cry to be picked up through the day. I know newborns don't know how to fall asleep on their own and so need cuddling / rocking to sleep etc... I was hoping somebody could suggest ideas / routines to help me a) get him sleeping on his own (whilst still in our room) b) able to fall asleep without being picked up.

At the moment we feed him on demand (usually five times a day every 4-5 hours) and then have play time (usually about half hour or longer) and then nap time. He's not good at just sitting awake on his own i.e in his pram.

Does this sound right? What can you suggest?
Thanks

Thanks for all the advice. I know it's perserverance when trying to go from our bed to moses basket.....I will keep trying!

Your little one will change so much in the next few weeks, I wouldn't worry about a routine.

DS fell into one himself because we let him sleep when he was tired and fed him when he was hungry. When he got to 6 months, weaning changed it again.

Getting used to the Moses basket - keep trying but don't get disheartened if it doesn't.

As for falling asleep alone - this naturally happens around 4/5 months (unless you're lucky and it's earlier) - but only if all is well. Growth spurts, teething, developmental leaps may mean rocking/soothing. Enjoy the cuddles.

Really try and relax about routine a little. Just follow your baby's lead, especially when it comes to tired signs. Do what seems right, not what you think a book says is right.

I know a really good book which might help. It is called 'your baby week by week' by Simone Cave and Caroline Fertleman. It talks through establishing a pattern with your baby, and what you might realistically aim for at different ages- week by week. I found it really helpful, as I didn't want a full on strict routine, but I did need help in putting some kind of rhythm on the day. Anyway, highly recommended.

firstly you are not making a rod for your own back. responding to his needs makes him secure and ime this in turn makes him a well balanced child.

at this age my ds slept every hour and half or so. to get a little routine, (i took the cue from him) i would walk him in his pram at the same time each day then wheel him back home still asleep and get a bit of rest myself.

the other thing i found useful was a baby bjorn 123 seat from about 8 weeks he was very contented to sit in this for a bit, but other seats i tried did not work

kalo12 - How long did he sleep for when he went down every hour and a half? Was this when he was being cuddled or would he lie on his own?
Thanks

nicknacks DD1 stopped breathing at 3 days old. When we went to hospital the doctors there told us that swaddling too tightly can inhibit the moro reflex in a baby. Very often its that little jolt that stuns them back to breathing. Thats why the suggested a half swaddle and leaving her arms out so she could move a bit.