baby sleeping problem

Adrienne - posted on 01/06/2009

UPDATE:  We're slowly making progress.  I've returned to work this week and my husband is home, so he's taken the night shift for the week.  But, I've gotten Jalen to sleep in his own little "bed" in our bed.  I bought this co-sleeper thing from BRU that I put him in so I don't roll over on him.  It's got sleep positioners on the side and has a slight incline.  I've found that I've got to wait for him to be out "cold" before I put him in it.  He's also started to sleep pretty well in his swing (which he used to hate).  He's even woken up a few times and been able to put himself back to sleep.  There have been a few nights of "setbacks" but we're doing better overall.  He's got a nice case of colic, so some evenings/nights are worse than others, but I know it's just a matter of time until things get better.  I am breastfeeding, but I've found if I throw a bottle of formula in there near bedtime, he'll sleep longer (almost 5 hours compared to 3).

Amber - posted on 01/05/2009

I am a FTM as well. My husband and I let Brady sleep on our chest on the couch for weeks b/c that was the only way we could get sleep. Then he eventually moved to sleeping in a swing but we were still on the couch. My Mom came to visit recently and she got him sleeping in his crib! She figured out that Brady was getting to chilly at night. (We keep our thermostat at 70-We live in MI) So, she put socks on his hand and put him in a sleepsack and he slept soundly for two and a half hours. We also found that rocking him in his room with the lights off and a nightlight and feeding him the same way has helped him to sleep.

It is still not 100%, but we can see a light at the end of the tunnel and I'm sure you will too.

Cassie - posted on 01/03/2009

Also, try and get your little man into a routine that suits you as soon as possible. My baby girl Brooke feeds at 6am in the lounge room then goes back into her cot for her 'morning sleep' then gets bathed before her 2nd feed at 10am. She is usually awake for an 1 hr, 1 1/2hr then I put her into her cot. Her next feed at 2 she gets fed and then cuddled until asleep and into her cot for her 'afternoon sleep'. Before her last feed at night (usually 10, 10.30) she gets bathed, put into her pyjamas, fed and straight into her bed. We are getting anywhere between 6 to 10 hours of sleep at night, most of the time it is 8. The aim is to make their bedroom quiet, comfortable and dark, keep the routine up of bathing then pyjamas and especially feeding in the room before they go to sleep at night and only allowing them up to 4 hours between feeds during the day! I am a Neonatal Intensive Care Nurse who works with premmie babies and this is implemented on the babies in the unit as they are getting ready to go home. Give it a go and I hope you get some sleep soon

Cassie - posted on 01/03/2009

My daughter is 7 weeks old and has just started 'napping' throughout the day in the last 2 weeks. We have implemented 'control crying'! She too would sleep for hours being cuddled or even in the bouncer in the same room as us during the day. After a feed, she gets burped, then cuddled until she is dosing, wrapped and put into her cot. If she wakes I let her cry for 5 mins then go in, pick her up until she stops and calms down then put her back into the cot. If she wakes again I let her go for 7 mins then go in and etc. Within a couple of days they realise that the cot is for sleep and the crying will get less. The aim is when you go in is not to have eye contact with them or talk to them, just hold them. I hope this helps

Katy - posted on 01/03/2009

yes - the swaddling thing is great, white noise, pacifier, and a nice warm baby temp in the room. I also put mine in a papasan for the first 3-4 weeks and put that on vibrate. Then i took away the papasan and slept him on his tummy. That was comfortable for him and also kept him asleep when he'd jerk at night (as babies tend to do). Hoe that helps!

Margie - posted on 01/03/2009

I have absolutely no suggestions to offer - sorry. But I do want to empathize with you - it sounds like our house!! My son is 6 weeks and we are in the EXACT same boat as what you described. I have read in multiple places, not to worry too much about having him sleep on you when they are young, before 12 weeks. I have had many a friends in the same boat, and they all say that at 3 or 3 1/2 months, their babies just decided it was totally fine to sleep in their crib. It was up to the baby and it was like a light switch. So I am trying not to push it or worry too much. We just keep trying.
How old is your son? Good luck!

Courtney - posted on 01/03/2009

Hi!! I was/am having the same problem with my son, except he wakes up during the day when I lay him in his crib and actually doesnt do that at night. My husband and I figured out (and it has helped, but not totally) that if he's moved less in the transfer from falling asleep on us while being rocked, etc, then he seems to stay asleep longer. I also noticed that if I cover/swaddle him before he falls asleep, he wakes up less when he's put in to the crib too - I think it's because he doesnt feel our body heat once he's placed into the crib so that wakes him up. Best of luck and keep us updated on your progress and what works/doesnt work.. i can definately relate to this!

Natasha - posted on 01/03/2009

Have you had any better luck? My son was exactly the same until last night, which switched his schedule entirely and put him in his own room with soft music and set a strict bedtime routine, we spent the hour before just calming him down in the environment in which he would be sleeping then fed him and he went to bed really well and slept for 4 hours at a time (finally). I have a 1 1/2 year old and sleeping was never an issue, especially with us! Also I read in a sleep solutions book that exposing babies to a lot of daylight between noon and 4pm gets days and nights straight!
Oh and if you roll up towels on both sides of your baby he should feel snuggled like you are holding him.

hopefully this was helpful

Victoria - posted on 01/02/2009

I have the same problem. What is starting to work is putting her on a propped up pillow right next to me on couch, she falls asleep there then I transfer the pillow with the baby to the playyard, I wait a minute or two to make sure she doesn't wake up from being moved then slide the pillow out so she is on her flat "safe" surface. Works 8/10 times I would say and she isn't sleeping on a pillow for more then a few minutes plus I am watching her the entire time so I feel safe about it.

Lindsay - posted on 01/02/2009

if you can stand the crying - i've heard that the 3-day no-mercy 'i will not pick you back up no matter what' does work. it does involve 10 minutes of wild crying though (it seems like forever, but if you time it its not as long as you think) - i haven't tried it myself, but moms i've talked with say at some point it's what i'm going to need to do... maybe I'll try the fisher price music light thing another mom posted about.

Ayeza - posted on 12/23/2008

Hi I just joined the group and saw your post - I have done anything my baby daughter wants in order to have her fall asleep including sleeping on me. But she is not fussy all the time and I have had success in getting her to sleep in various places/ times depending on her mood.



You may have heard this before but I have been told to try feeding up your baby, burp him, bundle him up really well so he's sure to be warm and cosy and then put him to bed in a comfortable environment. Also, try to get him to sleep in his crib - not in your arms first and then putting him down.

Nicole - posted on 12/22/2008

I am in the same situation, But if you are practicing attachment style parenting its totally fine. I also asked my lactation consultant about the baby on chest sleeping. She told me it was totally fine!

Patty - posted on 12/18/2008

keep your spirits high hun.. itll get better... the dr is only worried about the possibilities of you smothering your baby,... so just be careful .. otherwise i agree.. the more he slleeps in the crib during the day the easier the night will get

Adrienne - posted on 12/18/2008

An update? Same old, same old. We had a well baby check the other day, and he's fine. He gained 2 lbs 11 oz in his 1st month! The dr really wants me to stop this sleeping habit, but it isn't working. She suggested having him in his crib for naps during the day. It's slowly working for him to sleep there during the day, but the night is another story. I'm just going to keep trying.

Patty - posted on 12/18/2008

How about an update? how were the last few nights for you?

Carrie - posted on 12/16/2008

my 5th one sleeps with a head roll in his bassinet , a wedge and swaddled. He likes to feel cozy! he also takes a paci, and then spits it out when he falls asleep.

Patty - posted on 12/16/2008

My advice? Theres noting wrong with your baby sleeping on you. unless you fall asleep too.



since your baby needs to sleep on his back, in his crib.. when you rock him do it with him on his back.. that way when you move him to his crib you are not flipping him over.. that's what always wakes my emma up. when she falls asleep on me on her belly or side and i put her in her bed she is to disturbed. also... try getting a bassinet that rocks. that helps too. so you can put him in bed and still rock him to sleep . then slowly and quietly walk away, .Good luck! and always remember there is nothing wrong with napping when he sleeps during the day, so you wont be as crabby at 4 am!

Sarah - posted on 12/16/2008

Andrew has always been like this too but has gotten better in recent months. We bought him a Fisher Price music light show baby radio that plays lullabys and puts a little light show on the ceiling. It only cost about $20.00. Andrew seems to really like it and it helps puts him back to sleep. Nice thing is that it shuts off in 15 minutes. Good luck! I know it is really frustrating!