Meet the Other Phone. Child-safe in minutes.

Meet the Other Phone.
Child-safe in minutes.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Sleep

Join our Sleep forum for tips on creating a sleep routine for your baby or toddler. Need more advice on your childs development? Sign up to our Ages and Stages newsletter here.

Help- newborn boy sleeping Dad works nights

12 replies

B65 · 16/02/2025 05:30

We have a 5 day old baby & she settled in the Moses basket during the day - will sleep for 2/3 hours but will not settle at night in there. We are currently taking it in turns to be awake with her while she sleeps in our arms. The problem is my partner works night shifts and will be going back to work soon - making me feel anxious. I can’t stay awake all night with her! Any suggestions would be great thanks!

OP posts:
theweirdthings · 16/02/2025 05:40

It's so hard those early days! Totally blew me away to be honest I didn't know what to do with myself. Mine were both like this and I just kept putting them in the side crib until after a few nights they would settle there more and more. Never left them crying of course but would just keep trying.

Also, everyone will say it but it's really true, sleep when your baby naps in the day. I hated having to do it but it did help!

Hope you're doing ok. It does get easier.

boulevardofbrokendreamss · 16/02/2025 05:56

She's five days old, this is completely normal. You just need to ride it out I'm afraid

Overthebow · 16/02/2025 06:04

It’s really hard when they’re newborns. Unfortunately it’s completely normal, some babies just want to sleep on you at night and there’s not much you can do apart from keep trying to put them in their crib. Eventually they’ll go in for longer stretches but it can take a while depending on the baby. It took mine around 12 weeks to sleep in their crib.

Yourethebeerthief · 16/02/2025 07:38

It's normal, it sucks, it does end.

Take any tiny scrap of sleep you can. Ask for help from friends and family. Agree with PP, keep trying to put baby down, you've a road ahead of you figuring out what works for your baby. You'll get there.

B65 · 16/02/2025 17:03

Thanks all. That’s made me feel a lot better, I know it’s really early days yet.

OP posts:
Babyboomtastic · 16/02/2025 17:14

I'd personally persevere with a next to me crib or bed sharing, and try to figure out a compromise so that baby sleeps and so can you, if you can. I appreciate a compromise can't be found for all babies, but personally I've never stayed up holding mine, even my one that breastfed until nearly 3, the clingiest child ever, who still sleeps in my bed 5 years later.

For my first we did (1) a firm swaddle (make sure they are in very tightly), (2) waiting until they were deeply enough asleep, but not waiting so long they are at the end of the sleep cycle - usually 10m was right (3) putting her down on her side and then edging her towards back a bit later, worked. Oh and Ewan the sheep.

Fire my second, she hated swaddling and would fall asleep on boob. I'd make sure she went down within close sight of the milk factory, or ideally, her hand on it, to make sure it wouldn't run away. And then I'd run away when settled enough. She was very colicky and turned into a horrific sleeper after 4m.

I know some people will say that their babies won't cope with anything other than constant holding, and obviously some might be like that, but it's also easy to assume that they won't be put down, because it's not easy. It's just hard to push through and keep trying when you're knackered.

user2848502016 · 16/02/2025 17:19

Can you cosleep? That's what I'd do in this situation

Mum4MrA · 16/02/2025 17:23

Can you put something that smells of you in the Moses basket? It will get better but it is really hard. Sleep when you can. Congratulations on your baby daughter!

Whycanineverthinkofone · 16/02/2025 17:28

My biggest regret is not getting a swinging crib. My youngest loved rocking motion generally, but I didn’t feel I could justify it when she’d be our last and I’d already invested in a next to me cot. By the time I’d got to the point I’d persuaded myself she would have outgrown it too quickly…

the cot worked well for the eldest- I could feed her, put her down and still touch her/be close and she was happy. Youngest as I said I’d have to rock so was much harder.

you learn though. Sleep in the day if she’s sleeping. Fuck the housework and the washing, at least for the first 3 months.

hoodiemassive · 16/02/2025 17:35

Each of my three was different - eldest loved to be rocked, middle child liked his space and youngest was happiest in bed next to me.

They were all guilty of not sleeping very well and my major regret is trying sleep routines, listening to parents whose babies slept and constantly looking for a solution!

hoodiemassive · 16/02/2025 17:36

Meant to say you can do this - it's really, really hard but it does pass.

ValerieValentine · 16/02/2025 23:11

My baby was just the same and we knew it was so dangerous us taking turns to hold her overnight as it would have been so easy for us to fall asleep ourselves. Thankfully on the day 5 visit our midwife suggesting co-sleeping to us and it’s been amazing. Follow the safe 7 sleep guidelines and you’ll be sorted.

New posts on this thread. Refresh page
Swipe left for the next trending thread