5 answers

Baby Will Only Sleep on a Warm Body

Help! My 4 week old only wants to sleep on people! He won't sleep in his co-sleeper, swing, or crib. I put him down after making sure he's in a deep sleep only to have him wake up a few minutes later. He will sleep in our bed, but still wakes up (and I'm not entirely comfortable with this). I practice the 5 Ss...but he won't stay asleep.

What can I do next?

More Answers

hi S. and congrats! i always struggled with this. lots of people cosleep, i did with my first 2 to a degree, but it is potentially so dangerous, i was never comfortable with it. its so hard not to, especially when you are breastfeeding. please, if you must have him in bed with you, please be sure that there are no pillows blankets loose anything anywhere near him. if anyone is under the influence of anything, not only drugs meds alcohol, but also the severe sleep deprivation that usually goes along with having a newborn, it is even more dangerous. do what you have to do to keep him safe. they sell something you can keep the baby in in your bed, a nest something or something like that, i forget the name, keeps them safer. if you dont want to cosleep, which i personally recommend you dont, you really should try swaddling. it saved us. i used the cosleeper and swaddling, it got us through the early months. oh, and try a bouncy seat. my last 2 kids werent too interested in any swings or anything like that for any length of time, but i could always get them to sleep in the bouncy seat. i actually had my last one swaddled and strapped into the bouncy seat for a few weeks in the cosleeper. not sure how safe that was either though, if i am being totally honest. but i couldnt see why it wasnt, just knew it wasnt meant for that. once he got big enough to lift his upper body i stopped doing that because i figured he could flip himself out or forward in the bouncy. you might be past that point already if its not flat enough, i dont know. best of luck. by the way, what are the 5 Ss?

1 mom found this helpful

I agree with Deb R. completely I never co-slept either because I was just always worried something would happen. It really is not safe. I just read a study that due to an increase in breastfeeding (which is a good thing) that co-sleeping has increased and infant mortality has doubled as a result so please be careful. It is natural for the baby not to want to go into a crib right away it is a very big space for such a tiny baby. I used a tiny bassinet for my kids and swaddled them as well. I would keep trying to put him down and just pat or rub him until he falls asleep. Try not to let him keep falling asleep on you he will get used to that and the adjustment to a crib will only take longer. It may not only be the warmth he may just like sleeping on his tummy although it is not recommended some babies will not sleep well unless they are on their bellies. When my kids were small it was recommended that they sleep on their bellies now its the opposite. Try using a few blankets or a positioner and maybe put him on his side so he feels confined and comfy. Babies do not like big spaces after all look where they just came from LOL!!! Good luck I know these times with no sleep are tough but it will pass.

1 mom found this helpful

don't get him used to sleeping with you.. he'll be there forever. put him in the crib and let him fall asleep there... falling asleep on you - is not the answer.. he is getting used to it.. He will finally fall asleep.. just be patient! good luck.. just wait it out..

Maybe he is cold.
I would try placing a heating pad in his crib or bassinet to warm it before you lay him down. Remove it just before you lay him down, this way the space is heated for him and he doesn't have to be on cold sheets after being on your warm body.

4 weeks is super, super young. At that age kids want to be as close to their parents/a warm snugly body as possible. My daughter was a terrible sleeper for the first few months of her life, and we had her sleeping in bed with us and it was fine - eventually she went into her own crib, and she now has been sleeping through the night. Your son is so so so super young, that it's not a problem - if he likes to be in bed, I'd say use a boppy and secure him in it, and see if that helps. He's going to keep waking up because he's still practically a newborn, but it will get better...

I was firm about giving Paige the comfort she needed until she was out of infancy, and now she's fine. She sleeps in her crib, is independent, etc. There's no such thing as spoiling a newborn, and both you and your child need sleep!

Required Fields

Our records show that we already have a Mamapedia or Mamasource account created for you under the email address you entered.

Please enter your Mamapedia or Mamasource password to continue signing in.

Required Fields

, you’re almost done...

Since this is the first time you are logging in to Mamapedia with Facebook Connect, please provide the following information so you can participate in the Mamapedia community.

As a member, you’ll receive optional email newsletters and community updates sent to you from Mamapedia, and your email address will never be shared with third parties.

By clicking "Continue to Mamapedia", I agree to the Mamapedia Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy.