Newborn not sleeping in crib

Posted: Sun, Apr 01 2012, 10:26 am Post subject: Newborn not sleeping in crib

Ill make it short because I'm typing with the baby in my hands:
At night My new born sleeps between feedings (she eats every 3 hours more or less) only if she is on me or next to me (or DH sometimes).
1. How can I get her and should I get her to sleep in the crib?
2. Is it dangerous for her to sleep on me or next to me? I put her higher than me and I was told that nothing cAn happen but I'm still wondering if it's safe.
I know that newborns don't have schedules and I feed her on demand but at night ( and sometimes during the day as well) - all the feeding in the world won't help, she just wakes up if put down.

Tia

Diamond Member Joined: Apr 18 2010 Posts: 3034

Newborns like to stay close to their mothers. It is ok to let her sleep on you as long as you are in a safe position- either awake, or sleeping without pillows or blankets. Go to Dr. William Sears' website for tips on safe co-sleeping. If you're still nervous, you could get a co-sleeper- it's basically a bassinet that attaches to your bed, and that way, the baby is within arms' reach, but still has her own space. That's what we did, and it worked very well.

Silver Member Joined: Nov 17 2011 Posts: 912

Welcome to the wonderful world of co sleeping!

http://www.askdrsears.com/topics/sleep-problems/sleep-safety/safe-co-sleeping-habits

The newborn stage is not for worrying about longterm habits, imo, its about getting as much rest as you can and providing whatever the baby needs, including being close to you.

Diamond Member Joined: Apr 18 2010 Posts: 3034

Wow thank you all! I thought I'd be bashed for letting my baby sleep next to me but both dh and I just can't "educate" a baby that small (which is why for now I also breast feed on demand- though not sure how I'm going to do it with so many guests around over YT-any ideas?).
Thanks for the validation
Signed: op- a very new mom

(Not OP) My last baby would eat and then I would dutifully plop him in the crib, no problem. He happily sleeps in his crib in his own room now. My current newborn screams bloody murder if I try to move him anywhere... I nurse him in my bed and there he remains until I relocate to the living room in the morning to start my day. So co-sleeping it is. I'm careful to move pillows/blankets away from him, but he can't even roll over yet, so I don't feel the need to make the whole bed bare.

Diamond Member Joined: Apr 18 2010 Posts: 3034

Diamond Member Joined: Jan 14 2011 Posts: 2733

Posted: Mon, Apr 02 2012, 6:56 am Post subject: re: Newborn not sleeping in crib

I feel like I'm discovering a new world here. IRL people were raising an eyebrow when I asked about the baby sleeping next to me etc.
So I read about it online today (thanks morah for the dr sears recommendation) but I'm
Not sure how I can do it safely: we have two single beds (think Israel style) . So far we folded a big blanket and put it between us so that baby will be higher than us and it worked fine , only I read now that such a soft surface isn't healthy, plus last night the baby just wouldn't stay asleep there and it was obvious she wasn't comfortable. So where do I put her? I'm especially worried because the beds are too small when seperate to have room for both baby and me but they are also not attached safely enough and I worry they will seperate at night somehow and baby will fall............
Anyone has ideas?

As for nursing on demand- I do that at home because I'm with the baby all day and I hope she knows how much and when she needs food but with guests ...that's a different story. I don't mind being away in the meals but on chol hamoed when family comes over to visit...I guess I'll have to figure it out.