A mom writes in asking for advice about her newborn daughter. She says her daughter refuses to sleep anywhere other than in her arms or right next to her in bed. This mom had a C-section, so sleeping with her daughter in the bed next to her causes discomfort, pain, and ultimately doesn’t really allow mom to sleep. She has tried absolutely everything, but baby won’t sleep on her own. Any advice?
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A member of the community asks:
“How can I get my newborn to sleep anywhere other than my arms?
I had my baby girl exactly a week ago. She is a joy and so lovable with only 1 issue: She will not sleep anywhere other than our arms or beside me in our bed at night. We have tried everything. Swaddle, no swaddle, cooler room, warmer room, waiting till she is super tired before putting her in there, white noise, silence… She doesn’t like any pacifiers; she will spit them out within 10 seconds.
I had a C-section, so it is very uncomfortable for me to sleep while also having a newborn right next to me when I have to sit in certain positions to sleep which means I don’t get much sleep at all so I am so exhausted and I am in a lot of pain I don’t know what to do. This girl will not sleep on her own. What can I do?? *Also if it makes a difference, she is formula fed and eats Similac advance.”
– Mamas Uncut Community Member
Community Advice for This Mom Whose Newborn Daughter Won’t Sleep Anywhere Other Than In Her Arms
To see what advice the Mamas Uncut Facebook community has for this mom in need, read the comments of the post embedded below.
Advice Summary
The community offered this mom in need a lot of great advice. Read some of their responses below.
“This phase doesn’t last long. Grasp it and hold onto it for as long as it does last. Before you know it your baby will be out of your arms and running around without you.”
“Swings are lifesavers in the early weeks. Or noise machines that have a heartbeat sound option.”
“My son insisted on being held constantly for the first month. Nothing helped at all. Sometimes that is how it will be. All they know is you. The outside world is scary.”
“It’s pretty normal for them to only want to be held so early on… it’s a part of the bonding experience! They sense your smell, your heartbeat, the sound of your voice, that’s all that matters at this point since they are virtually “defenseless”. For your sanity, a baby wrap so you can wear hands free and anything that smells like you will help. Enjoy it tho bc they grow through their phases so fast!”
“I wouldn’t be worried right now she is only a week old. She needs the comfort of her mommy’s heartbeat.”
“This may sound odd but take one of her swaddles and get you scent on and then swaddle her and put her in her crib/bassinet whatever you are using… having your smell around her should comfort her more… Good luck sweetie and totally understand the discomfort of having a C-section. I had two back in my days of having babies.”
“She’s been inside you for 9 months… Give her a break and enjoy the snuggles. I slept in a recliner for almost 3 months because I had a c-section and all my son wanted was me. She’ll eventually be ready to away from you and you will miss the cuddles.”
“Best thing I ever did was get my son attached to a blanket. He still loved his mummy cuddles to sleep but when not with me or going to sleep near me his blankey helped heaps! She is only a week old, she is used to being in you so will be clingy! It does get easier mumma.”
“Try the swing or if that doesn’t work there are these things called baby hammocks on Amazon and they’re supposed to mimic the feeling of being in the womb. We used this with our first; had him sleeping in his crib a few days after we brought him home. Hope this helps!”
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