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How do I get my baby from the bed to Moses basket?

11 replies

feeona123 · 07/04/2014 03:06

Any tips?

She's only 11 days old but she won't sleep at night for anything!

Sometimes I can get her to sleep on me after a feed but when I try and put her to bed , she is awake in 2 mins.

It's 3am now and she has fallen asleep on the bed after a lying down feed. I just want to go to sleep but I'm worried about waking her up again

:(

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PeaceLillyDoge · 07/04/2014 03:25

Oh how familiar this problem is! It does get better I promise! The only thing I have found to work is to let them sleep on you for about ten mins until they are well and truly out of it, then slide them very gently inti the basket.

Ours is four weeks old and it has got easier with time.

Ohbollocksandballs · 07/04/2014 03:31

My son hated his basket and slept in it once. Got him a gliding crib and after the first few sleeps/naps he lived it.

feeona123 · 08/04/2014 02:51

Thanks, she doesn't mind the basket just moving her is the issue!

I seen mw this morning and she said that she's after my best milk at this time of the night which is the main problem I think!

OP posts:
jammiecat · 08/04/2014 03:03

I've heard the following can work:

  • pop a hot water bottle in Moses basket so it's warm before transferring her
  • pop a worn t shirt of yours in the basket so she is comforted by your smell
Not something I've tried myself but might be worth a go. Good luck!
nolongerbumpieorlumpie · 08/04/2014 03:18

Congratulations on your bubbs.

As well as what Jammie said which is what we used, try giving lo all the cues it is sleepy time. I introduced a mussie as a comfort 'toy' early on by putting it between his arm and face, like a toddler holds one when tired. I then did that for every sleep and now at 10wks I can put him down, awake, putting his mussie over his shoulder and he grabs it, rubs it on his face and goes to sleep Grin

We did co sleep for a couple of weeks as well though, I didn't see the point in rushing the move if he was OK and sleeping well! x

Reiltin · 08/04/2014 05:48

Cocoonababy. Mine loved it. Worth every penny. You're putting them into something moulded not flat so they still feel cuddled. Good luck Smile

wigglylines · 08/04/2014 06:25

Congratulations on your lovely baby.

This sleep issue is something many of us are unprepared for as in our culture, we have an image of babies sleeping in cots and think that's normal. The reality is that for many (most?) babies their instincts are crying out to them that they want to be next to you. This is perfectly normal, but unexpected as it's one of the many things that's not discussed about motherhood before you get there (no idea why this is!).

Your baby has been inside you for all if her life ubtil very recently, it's not surprising she still wants to ge close tp you. Also posdibly worth reflecting that human babies are born earlier than most other mammals. If you think about it, many mammals are born able to stand and move independently from day 1. But because we have large heads because of our big brains, and small birth canals because we walk upright, our babies are born pretty early. Because of this, they are much more vulnerable and helpless than most other mammals when born, and need to be close to us. Sometimes the first three months are called the "fourth trimester".

Another thing not often discussed is that babies want to be close to you for more than just milk. Again we at down how important this is, in our culture, saying things like "she's only feeding for comfort" as if comfort wasn't important! Actually I imagine comfort and knowing their mother is close by is probably very important to a baby.

Also there are important biological reasons a baby wants to be close to its mother. Babies are supposed to sleep in the same room as you till 6 months for example, not just so you can keep an eye on them, but also because being in proximity to you actually helps them learn to regulate their breathing when asleep.

Also, sleeping next to each other helps establish breast feeding, and very often leads to much improved sleep for both mother and baby (not always! But certainly for lots of people).

I expect you jnow that breastfeeding supports your child's immune system, but did you know touch is important here too? Feeding expressed milk from a bottle wouldn't be quite the same: IIRC when you feed your baby, your body takes on your baby's disease-causing microbes, through their saliva on your nipple, then your body makes antibodies and gives them back to the baby in your milk, that's amazing! Your boobs are like your baby's own personal chemist!

That's not to say your body wouldn't be able to do that without co-sleeping, but just to demonstrate the importance of touch and that breastfeeding is about way mire than food!

OK, essay over!

In short, it could be worth considering cosleeping, it made all the difference with mine. Look up safet cisleeping guidelines so you know how to do it safeky. Alternatively, if you're not keen on bedsharing, there are some great three-sided cots available. We had one for DC2, it was great. You can get them from German Amazon for about £100. Single best thing I've bought for my babies! My DD sleeps through in it, or in my bed. She wakes about every hour without it. I'll post a link when I'm not on my phone.

Or, if you're determined to get her so sleep in the Moses basket, go for it. But be aware that you're trying to get her to do something against her instincts. We do it for cultural reasons, we think its normal (I certainly did when I was a new mum), but all your baby knows is she wants to be near you. That's not to say don't do it, plenty of people manage to get their babies to sleep alone. Plenty however spend many sleepless nights tearing their hair oug wondering why their baby won't sleep alone like they "should" and I think it's not helpful that we don't discuss, usually, that the idea that babies should sleep alone is cultural, and not always easy, or even possible without broken sleep for everyone,

wigglylines · 08/04/2014 06:26

Aarhus, so many typos! (On phone). I hope you're able to make sense of it!

wigglylines · 08/04/2014 06:27

*Aargh not Aarhus!

feeona123 · 09/04/2014 00:07

Thanks for the tips and info x

OP posts:
wigglylines · 09/04/2014 08:11

How was last night? How much sleep are you getting? Is your DP able to take her for a bit so you can have a nap? Or are you able to sleep when she does in the day?

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