Baby won't let me put him down, day or night!

[SVAV2014]

Hi there

I am a new mummy to a lovely little boy. Since he was born he hasn't liked being anywhere than on me and my husband. I have indulged him so far as I believe in the fourth trimester principle and that he needed as many cuddles as he wanted. This included not wanting to be put down at night and so co-sleeping with me.

He is now 6 weeks old and I'm starting to become concerned that I have created a habit that I can't break. I need to get things done in the day so I have started to try and put him down, but he just won't have it. I have tried swaddling, I have a sleepyhead, I have slept him on his front and his side but nothing works. He stays down longest on his front but we're talking 10 mins max.

I can't sleep as well with him in the bed and it has meant my husband has had to move to the spare room. I'm at the end of my tether with it as I just need some time where I have both hands, to get a drink or do some washing.

How can I transition him to accepting being put down? I have tried to persevere but he isn't a great sleeper so I have to rock or breast feed him to sleep and it takes quite a long time so by the time he is asleep I really can't face putting him down just for him to wake back up and for me to have to start the whole process again. he is a big baby and I'm only small so it's taking its toll.

Any advice would be much appreciated.

Many thanks!!!

Hi Pia

Gosh it seems like a lifetime ago that I wrote this post! My baby is now almost 6 months old! After writing this I just followed my instincts and was very much led by my baby. Yes, it wasn't ideal that I was holding him all the time but I really thought, what else is more important at the moment? Also it doesn't last long so enjoy the cuddles. After a few months I started to use the pushchair as a way to get him to sleep. I tried to pre-empt his naps and put him in there before he got too grizzly and rocked the pushchair until he was asleep. He wasn't in his cot but at least it left me free to eat or make a drink etc. I'm only just starting now to try and train him to take naps in his cot as he is more predictable as to timings for sleeps. Basically, it does get easier, hang on in there and enjoy your cuddles for now. There is plenty of time to get into a routine but this precious time goes so quickly. Second time around I think I would try to introduce a comforter and/or dummy to aid self soothing but I will be cuddling the next one as much as I did this one! Good luck!x

Oh and get a good carrier! I bought a Tula and an ergo 360 and it's the best money I ever spent!!!

Oh good to hear things are getting easier for you - thanks for responding! As a matter of fact I was looking at the ergo 360 today..Only worried I'm reinforcing her need to be held... Anyone out there used a sling/carrier and baby still slept in other places and without the need for motion? I say this because my first born was like that and I put him in a sling which we both really liked..but I Found that I couldn't even sit down when he napped on me - as soon as I sat down he would wake up and start grunting for me to keep moving! By 7 months I was beside myself with exhaustion and a broken back..was determined not to go down that road but seems i don't have the answers

I don't really need to do much once he is in the ergo. I tend to sit down and jiggle a little bit to get him off to sleep but stop once he is asleep. I guess just make sure you stop jiggling once baby is asleep from the start and hopefully they will get used to being in the sling, still. In terms of the Tula, because it uses clips and not Velcro I can get baby to sleep in it then take it off and lie him down without disturbing him.

Hey 14:34SVAV2014 I realise this is a very old post but I'm having the EXACT same situation with my 3 week old. Literally everything you describe! Just want to know that it gets better and what worked for you! Xx