4 month old now won’t be put down to sleep

[Whatissleep1]

My baby who used to be a good sleeper, through the night or at least one long stretch now screams if I try to put her down anywhere and will only sleep on me.

I’m exhausted, she literally screams so I have to pick her up. Even if I co-sleep, she will only sleep on me.

What is going on and what can I do? or how can I make holding her safe while I can sleep too? she’s not unwell, I don’t know what’s going on!

It's probably the dreaded 4 month sleep regression. My DD was terrible at this stage so we had to co-sleep. Can you let her fall asleep on you in bed then gently roll/ lay her next to you?

I’ve tried and she still wakes up, or does a minute later. This is really hard :(

4 month sleep regression. You are not alone.

Have you tried putting down bum first, rolling onto side and then onto back slowly? Or leaving a hand on her chest?

Fingers crossed for you come out the other side quickly, lots do. Feel like we are still in it at 11 months but you work out what to do to survive!

How long do you leave it before laying her down? Make sure she's really asleep I.e. floppy arms, warm the cot with hot water bottle and one of your tops so it smells of you.
If you're breastfeeding you could feed lying down if she'll fall asleep feeding. Not sure about bottle though.
Lots of people have success with white noise but I never did, might be worth trying though...

You could try a hot water bottle in the cot when she’s not in it - sometimes the cold wakes them up.

I survived a few nights like that by propping myself and my arms up with pillows. Definitely not anywhere near any approved safe list of ways to sleep, but important for you to know that not everyone was able to find a solution and just had to make do… I had a friend suggest it to me.

And yes, it is really hard OP. Hang in there, you’ve got this. It’s a phase. Lyndsey Hookaway on IG is a great resource.