Still only sleeping on me...what do I do???

[aussienic]

firstly congratulations on the birth of your son

As Saffi said it gets better. Just enjoy these early days. If he sleeps on you then take that opportunity to rest and just watch a movie ect.. Or alternatively lay on the bed with him while he is snuggled close. Once he falls asleep then slowly get up and get some much neded time out for yourself.

my DD was like that, she just wanted to sleep on me day and night. She wouldn't even settle for Dh but around 3-5 weeks it worked itself out..

Good Luck..

[~Trish~]

A big hug for you Natalie, I have been there and I understand how you feel! My first DS would only sleep on me too and by 10 weeks of age I was about to lose the plot. I ended up taking him to a paediactric chiropractor and it turns out he had a dislocated right shoulder from a birthing injury that was never picked up at the hospital. Once it was fixed he was much more settled, but still only slept on me because by then a habit was created. We ended up buying an Amby baby hammock and we could bounce him off to sleep in it. He loved it and never needed me to hold him to sleep again!

So definitely get your bub looked at to make sure there is nothing medically wrong, but if you're really stuck you could try a hammock (you can hire them before deciding to buy one). Hopefully it is just a newborn phase that passes quickly for you (and it does fly, I promise!) and he turns into a champion sleeper for you

[Ozziehoffy]

My little man was like that for a while too... I think up to around 3/4 months old. I had a hug a bub sling and popped him in there - it was my saviour... I could even rest with him in it as he couldn't fall out of it. They're only little and the world is big and scary to them, that's why a lot of them want to be with mum all the time. They've been all warm and cozy for 9 months and then all of a sudden it's not so warm or cozy. I had an amby hammock as well and it was WONDERFUL. He wouldn't sleep in it in the day though...lol...but at night, slept like a little angel. It does get better, they do learn to sleep on their own. It's kinda funny now though, there are times I wish he'd fall asleep just snuggling me like he used to...lol.

[KatieRabbit]

Natalie- there will be plenty of time for him to go in his own cot. You are not forming any bad habits by keeping him in bed with you. You are not doing ANYTHING wromg- it sounds so completely normal what is happening. I felt for the first few months that ALL I was concerned about was getting DD fed and to sleep. It becomes a bit obsessive but that's okay too. You are doing everything right- rocking, sushing, patting etc and it is no one's fault that he won't sleep. It's just that he's a new bub and needs to learn how to sleep. That's where you help him with your strategies. It will happen for him but I know your frustration and worry. Have you thought of a dummy for him? If it's really getting you down try a sleep place where you do a day stay- they are terrific support and will boost you when you realise what an excellent job you are doing caring so much for your little one.