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Sleep

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Original poster

6 week old won't sleep unless held

17 replies

Proudmummy9183 · 10/07/2017 23:56

So our beautiful baby generally sleeps well but only if he is held by someone. He will not stay asleep if lying flat on his back for any length of time and will only sleep for around an hour in his swing but even that is rare. He does have a nursing pillow which he will sleep propped up in for a couple of hours but, like his swing, he cannot be left unattended while using these. He suffers from bad reflux so I guess this is why he is not comfortable on his back, and is currently taking gaviscon. We have tried raising the crib but with no success. Currently partner and I are sleeping in shifts to allow one of us to be awake with our baby at all times but this is becoming exhausting, I cannot nap during the day as we have the same issues then and partner is working and is obviously very tired. I imagine this Is the norm and baby will eventually grow out of this? Or has anyone got any ideas how we can maybe get our wee bundle of joy to sleep on his own and ideas to make this safe to allow partner and I to sleep when baby sleeps?

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TittyGolightly · 10/07/2017 23:58

Google the 4th trimester. There's a reason.

zzzzz · 10/07/2017 23:58

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Orangebird69 · 10/07/2017 23:58

6 weeks is so tiny. Do you swaddle or do you use a sleepyhead or similar?

TittyGolightly · 11/07/2017 00:00

All human babies are born premature. By rights your baby should still be inside you, being kept snug and cuddled without room to flail about much, fed on demand, rocked to sleep when you move and waking when you're still, hearing your breathing and your heartbeat. That's what he craves and that's why he resists you trying to make him more independent. He's just too little for that. There are various ways to fake it if you're not up for cuddling (bouncy chairs, snuzpods etc).

Bluebellsandsunflowers · 11/07/2017 00:10

My dd was like this for the first few months, I also recommend looking into the forth trimester. I understand many people aren't comfortable with this, but I soon became comfortable with sleeping myself with DD on me. I always felt very in tune with her, never slept deeply and always woke whenever she stirred.

For during the day I loved my stretchy wrap which she slept in, and we also did lots of co sleeping. It makes sense really, they just like to hear your heartbeat and feel your warmth.

IronicBionic · 11/07/2017 00:11

There's hope! , 7 week old DD has mostly slept on top of me. Now starting to take longer naps in the bassinet. Car capsule works sometimes, kindergarten drop off each morning and she'll sometimes sleep for an HR or so in it after coming home.

That said I'm currently running on 2 hrs sleep for today ( in Oz)

Original poster

Proudmummy9183 · 11/07/2017 00:14

I adore cuddling him and most of the time if he isn't on his pillow or swing, which isn't often since he will only go in if already asleep, he is asleep on mine or daddy's chest or I have him in a sling while I do bits around the house. By no means do I mean I don't want to have him with me 24/7, I miss him the few hours dp is taking him for me to sleep! But I'm not sure of the best way to get sleep too, we are coping with taking turns at night, but just wondered if there were other things we could be trying. We've tried swaddling but he always seems to wriggle out, lol. With regard to co sleeping, we have just purchased a co-sleeper crib but he hasn't taken well to this so far. Maybe the reflux.

OP posts:

Bluebellsandsunflowers · 11/07/2017 00:23

We had a chicco co sleeper, but our dd didn't really like it for a few months. I used to prop myself up with pillows so I was slightly upright, and dd and I would sleep (although I only ever slept lightly). Gradually she transitioned to sleeping next to me, before moving into her co sleeper. Now at 1 she sleeps in a cot in her own room, so it definitely wasn't forever, but just what she needed at the time.

Sorry I have no advice on how to encourage them to sleep not on you though!

Original poster

Proudmummy9183 · 11/07/2017 00:28

Reading through the fourth trimester just now and I see what you ladies mean. Makes so much sense. I'm a FTM so this is all very new to me. I mean i know my baby just wants to be close and feel safe but people are usually making comments about how dp and I cuddle him too much! I was worrying we were creating problems but from reading through this, that is not the case. Thank you all

OP posts:

Bluebellsandsunflowers · 11/07/2017 00:30

You absolutely are not creating problems, you are giving him exactly what he needs which is great.

We had similar comments from our parents, but at 12 months dd is confident, friendly and so happy. So it definitely worked for us. I would say just do whatever works for you as a family.

Original poster

Proudmummy9183 · 11/07/2017 00:36

That's great. I think I will kindly let people know where to stick their unhelpful opinions. We also get told that sleeping shifts is not the solution by certain family members yet no alternative is ever suggested lol but I think we will just stick with it until ds will start going into his crib for a few hours. he is definitely worth a few hours loss of sleep

OP posts:

Neverenoughspoons · 11/07/2017 01:12

It might also be worth a review with the GP. There are other meds available for reflux (usually only prescribed by a Consultant). Although it may well just be that he is still very little.

Ojoj1974 · 11/07/2017 01:29

My DD (#2) co slept with is for about a year as he wouldn't sleep unless held.... bloody nightmare but the easiest thing to do as it worked.

DD didn't even sleep on our room let alone our bed! Each child is different so do what works for you all.

Good luck x

LillyBugg · 11/07/2017 01:58

6 weeks in here as well and similar issues. We co sleep, have a co sleeper crib but DS actually sleeps in the bed with me. He's DS2 so perhaps I'm more comfortable to do this. When he's really unsettled he sleeps on my chest and I prop myself up like PP's so that I can sleep too. It will pass, but it's bloody hard work in the meantime!!

Bimble14 · 11/07/2017 02:11

This was me and DD 6 weeks ago (now 12 weeks). I'm a FTM and was worried about breaking all the rules but let DD sleep on me whilst I was upright, then safely Co-sleep and she is now in her Bednest all night. There is hope!! Keep going, you are making your LO feel loved and secure.

MiniMaxi · 11/07/2017 02:18

If you can afford it (£120 ish) try a cocoonababy - helps them feel cuddled and keeps them a little bit upright to help with reflux.

It is totally normal though as others have said

Bumplovin · 11/07/2017 02:41

We were in the same boat my lg had silent reflux we found wearing her in a sling to keep her upright in day helped and we kept her upright for 30 mins after night feeds which meant she then didn't scream being flat. Gaviscon didn't work for us and our gp prescribed ranitidine which has been far better we were lucky some gps wil only let a paediatrician recommend ranitidine but ours was happy to make the switch could you book a gp review. Oh and the sleepyhead has been the best money we ever spent

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