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Original poster

Non-existent sleep habit.

12 replies

weeglenny · 17/11/2007 17:59

Hi I'm new to MN but need some advice please about DS. He's 6 weeks old and has been sleeping in a cot at the side of my bed. But for the last 2 nights he's refused to sleep in it and has screamed until I've brought him into our bed. I'm not sure what has changed as before he had been quite content in his cot, and had only been waking to BF 3 or 4 times a night... Has anyone experienced anything similar?

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karen999 · 17/11/2007 18:28

6 weeks is a time where you may find that they change!! ie feeding and sleeping. Has he always slept in the cot? Where did he sleep when you first brought him home?? He may be going through a growth spurt which can sometimes make them unsettled.

Original poster
weeglenny · 17/11/2007 18:41

Yes he's always slept in the cot (kind of like a travel cot) since we came back from hospital - though I've always brought him into bed to feed at night. So maybe he's just too comfortable in our bed...

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karen999 · 17/11/2007 18:46

My dd was like this!! I still tried to put her down in her own cot (moses basket) after a feed. Give it a couple more nights and you may find that he goes back to how he was before!

He has managed so far going down in his cot and so if I was you I would persevere and still try and put him back down....he may appear unsettled but sometimes babies just makes noises etc before they go back to sleep.

yomellamoHelly · 17/11/2007 19:00

I'd say 6 weeks is the point at which it can all go wrong. I'd keep in mind how you want your db to be in 6 weeks time and persevere with the bedtime routine and putting him down in his cot and feeding him in the night and returning him to his cot (and comforting and returning him however many times it takes - even if that means a sleepless night for a few days). 6 weeks is about the time when my dss started interacting with the world around and tracking me as I went about my day to day and I suppose all that is alot for them to process. Could be he just wants to be close to you. Have you tried putting a worn tshirt or your scarf (if you wear one alot) in with him so he has something of you in his cot with him - or even wear a square for a day then tuck it in with him at night. My ds1 liked a cuddly toy dog on his stomach. Ds2 has cuddlies either side of his head. For both I also started using a dummy around this point (for a few months). Alternately it could be that he's just not a dozy newborn any more and you and your dh are disturbing him making it difficult for him to settle and a separate room may help.

Sputnik · 17/11/2007 19:14

I don't think they really form habits at this age so if you let him in the bed now for a fewnights doesn't mean he'll continue forever. Just do whatever you have to, he'll probably go back to normal soon

MegBusset · 17/11/2007 19:16

As the others say, 6 weeks is a typical growth spurt time, and your LO is becoming more aware of the world around him, and that he wants to be near to his mum!

IME 6 weeks is too young to put into his own room, and this is not recommended by FSIDS. You could try putting something that smells of you into his cot, also the cot sheets may be cold, you could warm them gently with a water bottle (but take it out before you put him in it!)

He is still very new to the world and will be comforted by being close to you. I would always recommend co-sleeping as a great way to all get more sleep, but if you don't fancy it you could try taking a side off the cot and having it against your bed -- that way you will be close to him but he will still be in his own space.

Is he swaddled? Also you might find a dummy useful too.

MegBusset · 17/11/2007 19:18

Also if he screams when put on his back then it could be reflux -- might be worth getting checked out.

Original poster
weeglenny · 17/11/2007 19:24

Thanks for all the replies He's not swaddled anymore as he was kicking his way out of the blanket, so he's in a grobag now - room is about 18 degrees so don't think it can be that he's too cold... Yes think it could maybe be a growth spurt as he's been feeding alot the past few days. I'll persevere with him in the cot though to be honest last night I just gave in and let him sleep in the bed, even though I had always said I wouldn't ever let him do that - but I was just too tired

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Original poster
weeglenny · 17/11/2007 19:29

Also I'll try putting something smelling of me in the cot tonight, sounds like a good idea

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MegBusset · 17/11/2007 19:29

TBH I am a firm believer of 'do whatever it takes to all get some sleep', he is too young to worry about 'bad' habits forming. I take it you are aware of the rules on safe co-sleeping, if not can find a link for you?

Original poster
weeglenny · 17/11/2007 19:31

Thanks but I've already looked up the co-sleeping info, it's just something I'm not comfortable doing long-term, I'm too scared of elbowing him in the face or something similar..

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Original poster
weeglenny · 17/11/2007 19:32

Off to feed him again, will check back later for any more replies - thanks all so far!

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