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Original poster

Can't get new baby to sleep in Moses basket - help!

11 replies

Snowboarder · 03/08/2012 07:58

DS2 is 4 weeks old. I understand that he wants to be near me as much as possible but I need some sleep.

Tried again last night to get him to settle in Moses basket. I fed, swaddled, cuddled him. All was fine but the minute I put him down he started writhing, hiccuping and eventually crying. We ended up co-sleeping which was fine but not something I want to do long term.

I am almost 100% sure he has reflux (DS1 had it quite badly) which is why he is uncomfortable, so going to the doctors about that on Monday but in the meantime, is there anything I can do to get him to accept the basket?

So tired Sad

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Kaloobear · 03/08/2012 08:02

Have you tried putting something under the head end of the mattress so it's tilted? And also having a hot water bottle in there for a few minutes before you put baby in so it's nice and toasty. That helped DD when she was tiny. But I have to say she always preferred to fall asleep on me or DH and then we'd play 'don't wake the baby' chicken while trying to gently slide her into the Moses basket! She always slept better in a sling during the day too.

Tangointhenight · 03/08/2012 08:17

Have you something a bit firmer? Carrycot or cot? DD hated th basket because it was too soft, I moved her to a crib at 2weeks and she slept much better but slept much much better in a cot!

If I have anymore they will be in a cot from day 1!

Florin · 03/08/2012 08:24

My 6 week old has reflux and is exactly the same we ended up co sleeping however in the last few days, now we are sorting the reflux he is sleeping in his crib better. If you suspect reflux get some gaviacon from the doctors it's worked wonders. We have also been using anti reflux food which has also really helped but Obviously no help if you are breatfeeding.

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G1nger · 03/08/2012 09:40

We moved our son out of the Moses basket at 5 weeks. He just wasn't comfortable on that thin mattress. Get a small cot next to your bed. The first few weeks are the hardest - we just have to get through them. And re co-sleeping: we did it rather a lot and didn't form bad habits through it. It's just one of many ways to get them calm enough to sleep.

MrsHoarder · 03/08/2012 09:46

We just kept gently trying until DS accepted the moses basket. On nights when we were getting exhausted we would just cosleep, and we still haven't got the hang of stationary naps at 11 weeks Blush. Also played the "gently place the sleeping baby" game, and would move DS to his moses basket in the night so I could sprawl.

tryingtonotfeckup · 03/08/2012 10:22

Whilst I understand that you don't want to get him into the habit of being in with you, if you feel comfortable with it, co-sleep until Monday and you can see if he has reflux and if so get some stuff for him. 4 nights isn't going to make much difference at this age for sleep habits and its important to get your sleep too.

Once his reflux is sorted, he'll be feeling better, plus be more able to sleep and you'll hopefully had more sleep and be a bit more up for getting him to sleep in a basket / cot etc. I used travel cots as well so that mine slept next to the bed, bit more solid than a basket, plus you will use them again.

One battle at a time.

LadyFerretAndLordCoe · 03/08/2012 10:28

We used an Amby Cot for our dd. It is good for reflux as the baby is slightly raised.

This is the website, www.amby.co.uk but you can often find them on ebay.

CogitoErgOlympics · 03/08/2012 10:33

Wind.... Whenever my baby was all happy but started writhing, screaming or arching his back when laid flat in the evening I usually found it was because he was still full of burp. Keep winding until all the signs of gas have gone i.e. fluttering eyelids, bluish top lip, pulling up of legs... and you may have more success. Good luck

Original poster
Snowboarder · 03/08/2012 11:36

Thank you for all your advice! We do have the Moses basket raised at the head end but it doesn't seem to make much difference.

I'm also confused now as DS2 settled in his basket this morning as I was getting DS1 up, dressed and breakfasted. He's still there! SO, he obviously can settle there but just won't at night for some reason? Confused

I am pretty sure that reflux is the problem as this morning after his feed DS2was sick and thats when he seemed more comfortable.

The plan for tonight is to wind carefully and use the hot water bottle trick. My DH will be in with us too so he will be able to help.

Fingers crossed.

OP posts:
G1nger · 03/08/2012 14:21

He might prefer to sleep in their in the daytime due to the daytime noises around him. They're not used to sleeping in silence yet. Try white noise?

DrowninginDuplo · 03/08/2012 15:50

Cosleeping? Only thing that worked with my refluxy babies. Ds2 actually had to be on top of someone I seem to recall.

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