7 week old wants to be held all the time

[Corilee2806]

Hi all, I’m a second time mum and feel like I should be nailing this but I need help! My 7 week old DS wants to be held all the time - fine with this, DD was the same and I know all about the fourth trimester and know this will pass. He sleeps on me or in a sling in the day - fine. It’s the nights I’m really struggling with! I have a supportive husband so that’s not an issue but he does work full time and also does night wake ups with our 2 year old. So DS is EBF, I do last feed around 10 then go to bed, often closer to 11 which I know is too late. But I struggle so much to go to bed early, as haven’t even had time to eat dinner! Baby is with husband until 1ish then he brings him up, then I feed him but I’m so tired at that point I often fall asleep with him in my arms which I really don’t like as I know it’s not safe. I usually wake a bit later then try and settle him but he won’t go into his cot (stirs and cries within minutes - tried white noise, hot water bottle etc) and wants to be with me - however even safe co sleeping is hit and miss as he doesn’t like sleeping on his back! Some nights he will settle next to me but a lot of the time he only wants to be on my chest. He slept like this from day 1 in hospital (for background, he was a 37 weeker small baby but gaining weight well now) and I feel like I’ve made this situation!

I know things change quickly and I’m hoping he will settle in his cot (side sleeper next to bed) soon but in the meantime how do I make sure we all get some sleep safely? Any advice appreciated!

Early days, op. I used to co-sleep quite safely and was happy with that. The three of us slept well and cosily. I know not everyone likes doing that but it sounds as though you already do, up to a point.

My 7 week old was just the same until last week OO. She was also a 37 weeker. I had a lactation consultant come last week as baby isn't gaining weight fast enough and she thoughts she wasn't stating down because she was cold so now I wait til ace falls asleep on me after a feed and wrap her in a blanket while she's still on me before I put her down and so far this has worked! Might be worth a try?

Thank you, I do know that most of what we’re doing is safe with regard to co sleeping and I’ve really tried to read up on the guidelines - it’s just the having to hold him and then falling asleep I’m not happy with, although I always feel like I’m in a light sleep and aware of him if that makes sense. My DD would do a chunk of the night in the cot as she had night time bottle which helped her sleep more deeply, but she needed that to help with weight gain, and I want to keep EBF - it just seems to go more hand in hand with them wanting to be close to you!

@omg35 that’s a good point, I never really know if I have it right with the room temp and clothing! It’s usually about 21 degrees and he wears a sleepsuit and swaddle sleeping bag and always feels warm, so I’m assuming that’s ok?!