My baby will only sleep on me

[Rose916]

DS will only sleep on me at night. Help! It's 3.15am and every time I try and put him in his cot he squirms and cries. He is fed, burped and nappy changed. It's been going on about 2 weeks now and I'm losing my mind. He is 20 weeks old. DH can't help due to his work patterns. My family live too far away to help at night. How do I get my baby to sleep in his cot?!

Sounds like the 4month sleep regression. Sleep cycles change and baby is more aware when you put them down. You can persevere with the cot - if you do then I would wait around 20 mins after they drop off before you put them down so they are in a deeper sleep. Or you could co-sleep. Check lullaby trust website for details on safe co-sleeping.
Some babies settle easier on their cot than others. You aren’t doing anything wrong and it will get better over time. My DS was a clingy sleep thief at that age. He is now sound asleep in his own big boy bed. It does improve. Good luck!

No real advice here just solidarity, DS is the same- it currently takes multiple attempts to get him back down after waking . Perseverance and coffee is helping me, and I might bring him in with me towards the end of the night if he's been particularly stubborn. I remember DD being the same, it will pass it just feels like it won't! Wish me luck as I try and put him down now...

I had this too. I ended up co sleeping
Was a game changer. Baby dd slept all night!

Thank you for the advice!

@MaidenoftheSpear I hope you managed some sleep since 4am!

I managed to put DS in his cot and got him settled just after 4, then he was awake again by 5am! The one hour of sleep was bliss but went by in an instant!!

Silly question, but does anyone know how long the '4 month sleep regression' generally lasts? Just a couple of weeks or so?

I think the regression last longer for different babies. My son was pretty awful from 4months to about 9months then was hit and miss from then on. But I know friends babies who had a week or two ‘ lip’ then slept well again. Try not to worry (I did, massively and drove myself crazy worrying about sleep!) it will be a phase however long it lasts. Do whatever you need to do to get through it.