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Sleep

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Original poster

Help! 6 week old won’t sleep anywhere but on me!

18 replies

LauraOConn · 05/08/2019 12:24

Hey ladies. Anyone have any advice on how to help a baby that won’t sleep anywhere but on me or my husband?! He is currently sleeping on our chest, or in our arms, for good stretches of time, 2/3 hours, both day - and night! 😩 The only way I can get any sleep is propped up in our bed on pillows, with husband in spare room, no duvet etc and him sleeping on my chest. Trying to do it as safely as possible 😬 I’m exhausted!

We’ve tried everything, he just will not go down on his back anywhere (Sleepyhead, Snuzpod crib or our bed co-sleeping) for more than 10 mins before he is thrashing around, grunting, red in the face - he is still asleep, but will eventually wake himself crying after about 30 mins. I thought it might be reflux but Gaviscon GP gave us did nothing and he will go to sleep on his back in his pram and in the car seat - I think maybe the motion helps? I keep persevering and putting him down in the crib and Sleepyhead once he’s fallen asleep, but the trashing, grunting etc starts again until he wakes up. I’ve tried everything, swaddling, white noise, tilting the crib, warming the crib, putting a T-shirt of mine in it, shushing snd patting him. Everything. He just won’t sleep for more than 10 mins before the thrashing starts unless he is on one of us. Is this just something he will grow out of?? I’m not sure what I should be doing for the best. He is currently EBF but I’m considering switching if it will help things.
Any advice or anyone going through the same thing?? Thanks x

OP posts:

WizzyBee · 05/08/2019 12:38

You must be exhausted! Has he always been like this? Have you had him checked out by a medical professional in case there is something that is causing him pain? Being in a more upright position might be relieving it. Or, without being alarming, could he have got an injury somehow?
I am no professional but if a baby won't co-sleep even then I'd get it checked out.

WizzyBee · 05/08/2019 12:38

WizzyBee · 05/08/2019 12:39

WizzyBee · 05/08/2019 12:40

CatInADoghouse · 05/08/2019 12:41

Have you seen the Babocush pillows? We haven't used one but I've heard about them. DD was similar that some nights she would only sleep on me but mostly she was happy in her crib. She quickly out grew this with us but she may have been having a completely different problem to your DS. We looked at baby hammocks before she was born as the reviews said they were great for a baby with colic as were the Baby Bjorn bouncers. Again we didn't end up buying either so no personal experience with them. I hope someone else can give you some practical advice. Have you spoken to your HV?

pensionpot · 05/08/2019 12:42

Hi .. this is hard to hear but it's totally normal. Google 4th trimester. My little boy refused to sleep anywhere but on me, it was a nightmare

It does get better when they're about 3 months or so, but it will pass.

pensionpot · 05/08/2019 12:43

Hi .. this is hard to hear but it's totally normal. Google 4th trimester. My little boy refused to sleep anywhere but on me, it was a nightmare

It does get better when they're about 3 months or so, but it will pass.

Paraballa · 05/08/2019 12:44

Its completely normal. You can cosleep without having to be propped up! Lie down and you can all sleep.

Don't use things like a sleepyhead as they're not safe.

It does get better. Enjoy the cuddles while they're still small.

Paraballa · 05/08/2019 12:44

Its completely normal. You can cosleep without having to be propped up! Lie down and you can all sleep.

Don't use things like a sleepyhead as they're not safe.

It does get better. Enjoy the cuddles while they're still small.

Paraballa · 05/08/2019 12:44

Its completely normal. You can cosleep without having to be propped up! Lie down and you can all sleep.

Don't use things like a sleepyhead as they're not safe.

It does get better. Enjoy the cuddles while they're still small.

Paraballa · 05/08/2019 12:44

Its completely normal. You can cosleep without having to be propped up! Lie down and you can all sleep.

Don't use things like a sleepyhead as they're not safe.

It does get better. Enjoy the cuddles while they're still small.

absolutehush · 05/08/2019 12:45

This is/was me!

My DD is now 18 weeks and slept lasts night in her cot for 6 hours but for the first 12 weeks 90% of her sleep was on me. We've improved nights unless there's an issue (teething/ill) but daytime naps are still on me although I'm working on it.

Honestly, you're doing the right things - settle put down repeat BUT I didn't see any real improvement until 12 weeks. Before then, they're just too tiny and you shouldn't worry too much about it.

DD did and does sleep on my chest as you describe and although it's less than ideal it might have to be what you do for a few weeks.

From about 12 weeks you can consider a bedtime routine which helps but I wouldn't bother before then.

All this to say - it's normal, don't worry about setting up bad habits for the future and most of congratulations and enjoy

SecondTimer2019 · 05/08/2019 16:24

My now 16 week old started like this. I still can't put him down for naps but he goes down well for his first night sleep. Think we managed to do this from about 8 weeks? Still struggle to get him back down after a feed but starting to manage it occasionally.

It's totally normal. Do you have a sling? At least gives you hands free for naps.

NeverGotMyPuppy · 05/08/2019 19:16

Completely normal and completely savage I'm afraid.

Keep trying other places, do all the tips - your T shirt in the crib, white noise, blackout blinds... one day it will work and this will be a distant memory. But it sucks. You have my complete sympathy

CustardCreamLover · 05/08/2019 19:32

Hi OP. This was me 5 months ago! I tried everything and in the end gave up. At 8 weeks we had to move rooms (back upstairs - I'd been downstairs because of C section - not in UK and they're a bit over cautious here!) And I was exhausted. I tried one night to put him down on the bed next to me and low and behold he stayed asleep and didn't move at all! Unfortunately at 6.5 months he moves all the time in his sleep so I still don't get a lot of sleep but I'm surprisingly used to it now.

Keep persevering and you might get lucky.

Sparky888 · 05/08/2019 19:35

We used a wedgehog (a wedge for under the mattress used by the nhs) and my second child only slept on their front without writhing. It’s not what everyone would do, but it really suited him and we took every other precaution possible.

Rhi11 · 05/08/2019 20:33

We had this. Turned out our baby had a cow's milk allergy. He was uncomfortable on his back would only lie on his side to sleep. GPS failed to diagnose after several visits saying it was reflux .

Tayel · 05/08/2019 22:20

You have a thrasher too! Mine DD is a thrasher and I call her thumper!
I had your exact problem!!! However i never allowed her to sleep on my chest at nights as I was so scared of SIDS.
I would get her in a real deep sleep in my arms (they need to be asleep for atleast 20 mins) then put in sleepyhead.
Half the time she would wake again but I would pick her up and start again.
Its bloody hard work but now at 9 weeks the thrashing is calming down and she is settling so much easier and hardly wakes up when put down now or if she does a dummy will help send her back to sleep.
My night feeds used to be an hour awake time atleast!
I know its hard but perserve!

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