4 week old won’t nap during the day

[Mangomammy]

FTM looking for some advise.

We were in hospital for the first 10 days of his life and his sleep routine was pretty good, feeding every 3 hours, sleeping at night and napping during the day fine.

Since we got home during the night I wake every 3 hours for feeds and nappy changes, feeds for 30mins and falls asleep as soon as I put them back in the cot.
During the day day tho he hardly naps unless being held. As soon as he’s put in his cot he’ll be wide awake, sometimes he’s settled and content in his cot but doesn’t fall asleep, other times he’ll scream/ cry. He’s definitely over tiered at times and I’ll hold/ cuddle him so he gets a decent nap. But, it means I get f*ck all done during nap times!

He’s eating well, gaining weight (10.5lb at his last weigh in) and otherwise healthy.

Any advice or someone willing to come do my housework would be great!

I had this with my first, it's tough but it doesn't last forever I promise. Do you have a sling or carrier you can use for naptime? That's the only way I got anything done at that stage.

There are many phases they go through and this is definitely one of them. I didn't do housework for about 4 months, just fed and contact napped my way through it 🤦🏼‍♀️ I would take a look at the wonder weeks, it was fairly accurate for us!

I have a 6 week old who will only sleep when held both during the day and at night! We're exhausted, keep trying to put her down but she last 5 mins max before wriggling and waking. Have tried swaddling, white noise, and obviously make sure she's fed, changed etc.. we're now at loss, sleep in shifts and hope something miraculously changes before DH returns to work next week! Will be watching this thread for any suggestions!

Normal newborn behaviour. My baby napped on me until he was 10 months old and I really have no regrets. He is 3 now and running around. I look back on the cuddles with fond memories. I know ten months isn't for everyone but hopefully gives you some context that 4 weeks is nothing at all really. Newborns just want to be held close and it's really good for their development.

I have a 6 month old contact napper🙈won't sleep longer that 30 mins in a car seat/pram/cot. Or wakes as soon as I put him down. He will sleep for a hr/two if held. He does sleep overnight tho. Hang in there

I had this too. It is what it is, I really don’t think there’s anything you can do other than just hold baby whilst they nap. Some babies are just like this.

Have a look into the 4th trimester, it's completely normal, they still want to be close to their mum. They're only 4 weeks old. You could try a sling? or just enjoy them baby cuddles.

Fourth trimester. By rights he should still be inside you, so he still wants all those things: held close, hearing your heart and voice, fed on demand.

My 3 year old still only naps on me 😬😂😅😱🙄🤣

Where is the cot? You should be with him whilst he sleeps for the first 6 months. Not leaving him to do (much less important) housework.

You should be napping whilst he does as well!

Yes to sling!

Or swaddle in the cot

He's a newborn, it's what they do. DD is 8 months and still only naps on me and won't sleep in a cot

He is 4 weeks old, just leave the housework. This stage doesn't last long and is so lovely. If you're up all night and feeding then you need to take the opportunity to just sit and watch TV for a bit while he sleeps.
Do you have a partner who can do some of the housework and/or just lower your standards. Quick easy meals or ready meals etc.

My 4 week old wouldn't nap in his cot either

Actually not just that.

If I put him down AT ALL he would scream and scream until I picked him up again at that age.
You're lucky!

My daughter wouldn't be put down to sleep AT ALL for 4 months and I literally did NOTHING in the day other than manage to wash bottles (just about!) x DP and I did housework on an eve/weekend when both of us around x

It's a phase and it'll pass. Similar to other posters I loved every cuddle although acknowledge it's exhausting! X

It’s reassuring to know this is pretty common. I was worrying myself. Don’t get me wrong, I love the cuddles! I’d just like my washing to be up to date as well.

I haven’t used a sling/ carrier for nap time, but I’ll give it a go.

@DicklessWonder
I have a crib in the lounge for him (open plan kitchen/ dining/ lounge area) so I’d be able to do some stuff while he naps. I wouldn’t leave him alone. I’d love to nap but that wouldn’t be possible while he’s sleeping on me either…

I’ve honestly never heard of a 4 week old napping in a cot!!

@OnceuponaRainbow18

I might be remembering wrong but I’m pretty sure all the children in my family were napping in cots/ Moses baskets etc when they were that age.

But from what PP have said it’s definitely not unusual for cuddly naps,

Normal but try to vary how they nap eg sometimes on you, sometimes in a pram, sometimes in a swing.
You can introduce sleep cues like white noise, dummy or a muslin etc.
Cot naps will probably be more achievable around 4-6 months.

@DicklessWonder it always makes me laugh when people say sleep when the baby sleeps...my baby only sleeps on me so there goes that idea🙈

Definitely get a sling, or do safe bedsharing and get some yourself some sleep too.

Enjoy these cuddles op. This is the fourth trimester. Leave the dishes
If you get visitors - ask them to do some washing up for you

[quote Mrsmch123]@DicklessWonder it always makes me laugh when people say sleep when the baby sleeps...my baby only sleeps on me so there goes that idea🙈[/quote]
Mine slept on me at night for 3 months. DH worked away 5.5 days a week so I had to sleep when she slept. I had a vibrating bouncy chair in the living room she could sleep in (I was on the sofa) or we slept together on the bed upstairs.