newborn sleeping question?

I'm a new mommy with tons of questions...here is my first of many! My DS is 6 days old and since we've been home from the hospital (4 nights now) he refuses to sleep in his bassinet or crib. He will only sleep in my arms or (DH's) or in his bouncy seat and swing. DH and I have been taking shifts at night and we sit with him in a chair while he sleeps. We also wind up falling asleep holding him which is a whole other issue! If we try to put him in the bassinet or crib he screams, even if he's asleep already. Is this normal for a newborn? How do we fix it before it gets out of control?

Re: newborn sleeping question?

It's pretty normal. Have you tried swaddling? Alot of people say their newborns hate it, but they seem to have this love/hate relationship with the swaddle. They will fight it and complain at first, but usually will settle down.


ETA: After we swaddled DD, if she was fussing, I would put my hand on her belly and rock her back and forth that would usually settle her down.

Message edited 11/5/2009 10:51:54 AM.

Re: newborn sleeping question?

Wherever my dd's fell asleep at that age is where they stayed if it was in the carseat, swing , or bouncy

Re: newborn sleeping question?

It's normal. DD slept swaddled in her swing until she was almost 5 weeks old. We kept it next to our bed at night.

Re: newborn sleeping question?

DS was the same way except he wouldn't even sleep in the bouncy seat or swing. We took turns holding him at first. We tried so many different things to get him in the PNP and crib, but nothing worked. Once DH went back to work, I held him. I'd prop my arm up on the boppy and put him in the crook of my arm. It was the only way either of us got some sleep. DS eventually took naps in the swing, but wouldn't sleep there at night. It took about 6 months before DS didn't need to be in our arms and another 4 months before we were able to move him out of the bed completely.

Hopefully some of these things will work: swaddling, a white noise machine, warming up the crib before putting DC down, or putting a shirt you wore in the crib so DC can still smell you.

Re: newborn sleeping question?

thank you for the responses we will try everything until something works!