Ethan ยท 2 months old ยท about 2 months ago
Newborn won't sleep unless held
Ethan is 4 weeks old and will only sleep if someone is holding him. The moment we put him down, he wakes up crying. We've tried warming the bassinet, swaddling tight, white noise... nothing works. Any suggestions? We're running on fumes here.
This is incredibly common at 4 weeks - your baby spent 9 months being held constantly in the womb! Some strategies that may help: try the '5 S's' (swaddle, side/stomach position while holding, shush, swing, suck), wait until baby is in deep sleep (limp limbs, slow breathing) before transferring, keep your hand on their chest for a few minutes after laying down, try a warming pad to pre-warm the sleep surface (remove before placing baby), or consider safe co-sleeping alternatives like a bedside bassinet. Contact naps are also perfectly fine and won't create bad habits at this age. This phase does pass - hang in there!
Always consult your pediatrician for medical advice.