2 Week Old-sleep Question

Its a phase. My first born did this exact same thing! He would only sleep when he was on me. His pediatrtion suggested putting his swaddle blanket down shirt kinda in my bra so it would smell like me before swaddling him in it for the night.

The book, Healthy Sleep Habits, Happy Child was my bible for the longest time for BOTH of my kids. Needless to say, my kids have always been the best sleepers. Just note, it will take some time getting the baby used to whatever you do. So if you think something is not working, stick with it and be consistent.

Oh and when you put the baby down for a nap, DO NOT wait until the baby has fallen asleep in your arms until you move her to her crib, bassinet, etc. Watch for signs of sleepiness and lay her down while she's still awake, yet drowsy so she can start soothing herself to sleep.

Our second was the same way. A lactation consultant told us, "His whole existance he's only known attachment to you. He still needs to be near you. He doesn't know how to be anything else yet."

So...I gave in. I slept as best I could, semi-reclined for four weeks. Yes, I was exhausted. But I followed his lead. As soon as he was okay with me just touching him as he slept next to me, we did that. As soonas he was okay being near me, but not touching, we did that. By 6 weeks he was in a packnplay in our room. By 8 weeks, he was in his own room in a crib. He's been sleeping on his own and through the night since 7-8 weeks! Now he's almost two!!

Oh boy! I remember those days of sleep deprivation!

O. tip I got when I was ready to pull my hair out was to make sure *where* you are putting her down is warmed up. Either put her on the blanket you're holding her with or heat up her bassinet with a heating pad, then remove it before you put her down.

You pretty much have to become the Transfer Sleep Ninja.

Congrats on the little O.!

This is common in infants.
All babies seem to like this.
But it is not permanent.
She just came out of the womb.
And yes, it is exhausting. Babies. Tis' how they are.
And they need to "bond" with you, too.

Both my kids were born via c-section.
They both loved sleeping on my chest or my Hubby's. Of course we were awake at those times.
But it was not forever that our kids did this when they were an infant.
2 weeks old, is a very young infant.
One day you will miss it.

I personally would not, let an infant sleep in bed with me.
They can suffocate.

Or, I suggest getting a "Boppy pillow." Which is used for nursing and will help keep your arms propped up.

My son as an infant, loved to sleep in his "Moses Basket." And he was able to use it until about 3 months old.

I feel your pain. Those early days are a beast. Unfortunately, this is pretty common. It's why we are all so sleep deprived in the beginning. Lots of infants only want to sleep on somebody. While she's going through this, I would suggest taking shifts with your husband. Alternate sleeping. You just have to make sure you sleep while it is his turn. And congratulations on your new one!

"The child psychologist who thought she had all the answers to parenting until she became one herself." www.themommypsychologist.com

When the baby is up against you she is secure on the tummy against you. All but one of my 8 kids slept on the stomach back in the day we never had heard of the word 'SIDS' and kids all slept on tummy. They are more secure and if they wake they don't jump with arms out like falling. They sleep well and usually all night like that. All of my kids were great sleepers but the first later after I spoiled him patting him, etc. I think you need to be patient as there is a very big change in the 2 week old and 2 month old, etc., etc. Don't be afraid to just lay her down and walk away and don't tip toe, etc. so she gets used to noise daily and she'll sleep through it. Sorry you're so tired and worn out. I remember those days and thought I'd never rest up but now I miss those days. Except for being extremely tired in your situation, there is nothing like a tiny baby up against you and smelling so new and sweet.

Dr. Harvey Karp, author of The Happiest Baby on the Block, has come up with a set of 5 techniques that will often help babies get calm and sleep better.

His "5 S's" include swaddling, resting the baby on her side, loud "shushing" (or a sound like a hair dryer or vacuum cleaner) to mimic the sounds and sensations of being in the womb. I've heard from dozens of moms that they got real help from these methods, and I loved them with my grandson.

Watch these short videos and related ones on YouTube. Try what you see. If you get some results, hie thee to thy local library to check out the book or video:

Enhanced sleep: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tk5MUOMecHI&NR=1

Interview: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iu0TtxO-ocY&feature=re...

I hope you get great results. And you'll be surprised, even though these hours seem endless, that they will have whizzed by quicker than you can believe once you're looking back at your daughter's earliest weeks.

Get the book "Healthy Sleep Habits, Happy Child" by Marc Weissbluth, MD. It offers the BEST tips and advice regarding sleep and I consider it my parenting bible!! :-) Number one thing I get for all my friends' baby showers!!!

Honestly, my husband and I used to climb into bed and place our son on top of us. I'm not a back sleeper, so I didn't love it, but it was better than trying to sleep in a chair or on top of the covers or anything of the sort. If your child is lying on top of your chest, you are completely aware of them and their breathing. I would worry at all about being in your bed and as comfortable as you possibly can be.

If you are nursing, you could try the "side-lying" position. It's where you lie down on your side, place the baby next to you and nurse. That was a lifesaver for me. I would nurse to sleep and then either go to sleep myself or slowly role away and get something done!

You could try the swing. Our kids loved the swing! It helps them feel cozy, and some babies really like the movement.

Hang in there! The first couple of months are nothing but a sleepless haze with baby constantly changing so whatever tricks you discover seem to be absolutely useless after a couple of days. It will get better :-)

Try swaddling and placing her in between two rolled up blankets on her side...might make her feel more "embraced". Let her fuss a little and maybe try patting her instead of holding her until she sleeps...try a little white noise (she's used to hearing your heartbeat)...

Also, make sure you are waking her to eat at regular intervals throughout the day so that she starts to get her days and nights in order. But it really does get better.

It is probably safer to cosleep using the recommended guidelines than to do the chest sleeping. I know my husband wasn't comfortable cosleeping so for the times the baby wouldn't sleep in the bassinet or crib, I used a twin mattress butted up against a wall. Will she sleep next to you ?