My newborn won't settle in his crib - what's the alternative to co-sleeping?

[LaCerbiatta]

Ds is 3 days old and he won't settle in his crib. I don't want to leave him to cry and I really don't want to co-sleep either. Is there an alternative? The past two nights have been reaaly diificult, specially as I had a section and I'm finding it very hard to move.

Also, does anyone have positive expeiences of babies that needed to be cuddled all the time at first but would later settle happily in their cribs /cots?

TIA

DS2 was the same and I tried everything. Muslin that smelled of me, hot water bottle in the crib, swaddling - the lot. Had to resort to co-sleeping in the end.

I have a theory (based on nothing but my own sleep deprived ramblings) that babies would sleep much better if they were allowed to sleep on their front and be wrapped up warm. But obviously the SIDS advice is on their backs and cold so that's what we all so (quite rightly I might add hastily).

I read an article on here recently that said that breastfeeding mothers instinctively sleep very differently from other parents, positioning yourself so you can't roll over.

I used to tuck the duvet under my side, so it was away from the baby and then position the baby so his head was at breast level. My knees were bent and my underside arm was outstretched in front of me so my body was in a kind of C shape and I couldn't roll over.

You can buy a thing to go on the bed for the baby to sleep in but I can't see how that helps as it separates the baby from you - but I could be wrong.

If you are against co-sleeping don't push yourself to try it. There will be a way to get your baby to sleep alone.

We used swaddling but also rolled up towels or blankets at the sides of the baby to make him feel secure. It helped a lot.

DS2 did sleep in the bed with us for about the first week, as he was handled by so many relatives in his first two days he was not used to being put down. After sleeping in the crib for naps he soon got used to it at night too.

Good luck

Thanks everyone!

This is not my first baby so I know this stage and all others will go fast!

Thanks for all your tips and ideas.
I don't think I'm ready to try co-sleeping. Although I don't question its safety for all of you doing it, I just wouldn't feel safe myself.

ds has been a lot happier and more settled today, so fingers crossed he's getting used to the outside world!

hi, a friend of mine was having the same problem in that her ds wanted to be cuddled. She swaddled him and got one of

www.mypreciouskid.com/baby-sleep-pillow.html

it meant that her baby felt more secure as he could feel something round him.

he sleeps great now