Newborn Neck Concerns

[Banana132]

Paranoid/exhausted 1st time mom here.

My baby is 7 weeks old. We are still struggling sleeping at night. Many times she will fuss about being in the bassinet and then as soon as you hold her she’s fine. I try holding her and calming her for a bit before putting her back in.

Being that this is an all night thing, I hate to admit but I have accidentally dozed off while holding her. Recently, I had her cradled in my arm and woke up and her neck was not supported by my arm anymore so it had fallen backwards. She was sleeping and didn’t seem affected by it but now I’m a guilt-ridden blubbering mess that I hurt her neck in some way. I can’t find anything online about this and we have a few more weeks until we go to the doctor. She wasn’t crying and doesn’t seem to be in pain. Could I have done something and just can’t tell?

I guess it's depends on the position of the baby. Was she supported from the side?
Not sure, but if she wasn't in pain or crying I would think it's ok.
Maybe try to use a feeding pillow? I know it's hard to stay awake especially if the baby only wants to sleep on you; with the feeding pillow she will be supported while she's sleeping on you.

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She will highly likely to be fine. It you are worried speak to your health visitor. If she is feeding normally that’s should reduce your concerns.

Sure she would have woken up if she was in pain!
I constantly fell asleep holding/feeding mine in bed. Make sure the bed is safe and you can bedshare safely following the lullaby trust guidance, it was the only way I got some sleep!

No, please don’t do this. If you’re using a feeding pillow and fall asleep then baby could fall into the pillow and suffocate.

It’s exhausting having a baby - can you look up how to safely co sleep so that even if you do fall asleep then you have baby on a safe surface??

If baby seems fine, I wouldn’t worry about her neck. Just try to take steps to avoid it happening again.

sorry, when I said don’t do this…I meant please don’t fall asleep with baby in your arms on a feeding pillow!

I wouldn't worry about her neck - if it was sore or uncomfortable she would have woken up. But please be careful sleeping with her in your arms - if her head had fallen the other way (forward) it could have been a positional asphyxia risk and compromised her airway.

If you feel like you're going to fall asleep with her, make sure your bed is set up for safe co-sleeping and position yourself that way instead.

Thank you! She was laying across me so her head was on my left forearm. I tried a feeding pillow when she was first born and I didn’t like the way it felt because it just seemed to large and bulky. I do keep pillows on either side of me though to help keep my arms level and her stable across me. Thank you for your kind answer!

Thank you for your kind answer! I will definitely be bringing it up next time I go in. She seems fine for now.

Thank you so much! I appreciate your answer and I definitely feel better after hearing other people have fallen asleep as well! I will definitely be creating a safer space just in case it happens again.

Thank you for clarifying and for your answer! yes I will definitely be looking into better ways to feed her while creating a safe environment!

Thank you for the kind answer! Yes that is my biggest fear so I definitely want to avoid that. And she has seemed fine since then so I think she is okay as well. Appreciate you!

I also wouldn't worry about her neck at all, but would worry about falling asleep with her in your arms.
If you're tired, both of you can lie down flat together in a safe bed.