newborn only sleeps in our arms

[SearchingforSleep]

My 3 week old will only sleep while being held. Not a chance of getting him into the Moses basket and even co-sleeping he wakes up 10 mins or so after being put down. He sleeps for hours in our arms even if he's lying flat so I'm not suspecting reflux, I think it is just a case of getting used to being in the outside world.

I know DC1 went through the same phase but can't remember how long it lasted. If your DC were similar, how long did this phase go on for? We are horribly sleep deprived from taking shifts through the night and want some hope that the end is in sight!

I think this is pretty normal. My dd did this but only for a few nights.
Have you tried swaddling then letting baby fall into a deep sleep before putting in Moses basket?
Also a hot water bottle in basket to warm bed before putting baby in it?
And finally a top of yours that's been worn in basket so baby can smell you?

Thank you so much for the sympathetic responses.

We have tried most things but nothing seems to keep him asleep. Swaddling hasn't helped and nor does warming up the surface. We do have a co-sleeper and a Moses basket but at the moment I can't get him into either without him waking up. I have the most success with putting him directly into our bed but he still wakes up after a few minutes even if I manage the initial transfer without him waking. I'm hopeful the co-sleeper will come into its own as time goes on. Great to hear you found it so useful Vocational.

I do have a sling but only got it yesterday so haven't really used it yet. It would be amazing if using it during the day would help with the night time sleep. Fingers crossed...

We are 3 weeks in now so surely this will start to improve in the near ish future???

Mine hated the Moses basket so I borrowed a sleepyhead from a friend and four months in he still sleeps in that next to me in the bed. I love it. Husband is in spare room but it's only temporary...

Sounds normal - mine did this for nearly 2 months. Very tiring but it does end x

completely normal. Go with the flow. It passes soon enough

Ps ds gradually moved into the next2me and we started at least getting a few hrs at around 10 weeks. He still needs to be held to get to sleep though but I'm fine with that atm x

I would look into safe co sleeping. Boot DP out of the bed and snuggle up with your little one. Things will improve- with me it was when DS could roll onto his front. He's a belly sleeper but we didn't know it.

I found a tshirt or some other piece of clothing I had worn helped. I used to use it as a blanket in my arms then keep it on her as I placed her down. I can't promise anything but it worked for me.

Still SO early on - our DD is nearly 6 weeks and she's doing really well constantly improving. We just had to go with what she needed and things did just keep getting better as she learnt to sleep more alone. However in the day I can barely put her down!!

We have a snuzpod which has been fab. It's not next to the bed though, it's over the other side of the room to give us all space.

DD is 6 weeks and still mostly sleeping in my arms. She very much likes to be toasty warm so I've started putting her in a grobag which she likes. Once fallen asleep she'll transfer easy into her snuzpod and sleepyhead. Albeit not all night but it's a start...