Son won't sleep unless I'm holding him - is this normal? | DadHQ

Son won't sleep unless I'm holding him - is this normal?

6d ago1 min read

My 3 week old son screams the second we put him down in the bassinet. I've tried everything - white noise, warming up the mattress, waiting until he's in deep sleep. Nothing works. We end up holding him most of the night which is exhausting. My wife is worried we're creating bad habits but I just want him to sleep so we can get some rest. Does this get better or am I doing something wrong?

7 comments81 views

Comments(7)

MMitch R.Regular6d ago

This is completely normal at 3 weeks. He's basically still adjusting to being outside. The warming mattress and white noise are good moves, but sometimes a baby just wants to feel safe on you. You're not doing anything wrong.

DDom F.Regular6d ago

Yeah three weeks is still so early, that's basically newborn behavior. Our second still did this at that age. White noise helps but honestly sometimes they just need to be held for a bit. It gets better I promise.

TTravis N.Regular6d ago

The Snuggle Me lounger was a game changer for us because it gives him the feeling of being held without you literally holding him all night. Not saying it fixes everything but it helped enough that we could get some sleep.

JJoey M.New Dad6d ago

Have you tried one of those white noise apps that specifically mimics the womb? Some of them really do work better than others. But yeah, contact sleeping at this age is pretty standard stuff.

BBen M.New Dad5d ago

This is totally normal for 3 weeks old. He spent 9 months literally attached to your wife and suddenly he's supposed to sleep alone? Of course he freaks. It does get better though. You're not doing anything wrong.

DDerek M.New Dad4d ago

At three weeks he's basically still in newborn mode where he needs constant contact. Have you tried a contact nap where you're sitting up? That way you're together but you can at least rest. My son did this for like the first two months and I thought I was losing it.

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RRobertNew Dad4d ago

White noise helped us huge amounts. Also try warming up the bassinet with a heating pad before you put him down so it's not cold. And honestly sometimes you just gotta hold them. He won't need to be held when he's 16 so soak it in.