Son won't sleep unless I'm holding him. Is this normal at 3 weeks? | DadHQ

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Son won't sleep unless I'm holding him. Is this normal at 3 weeks?

3w ago·1 min read

My wife and I are going crazy. Our newborn will literally scream the second we put him down in the bassinet. We've tried everything - white noise, warming the mattress, timing it after feeds. The only way he sleeps is if I'm holding him. My arms are falling off and I'm exhausted. Is this just part of it or are we doing something wrong? How long does this phase last?

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Comments(3)

LLucasRegular2w ago

We used a contact nap schedule - I'd hold him for his naps and my wife would get a break, then we'd switch. Sounds counterintuitive but it actually helped because one of us wasn't going insane from trying to put him down constantly. Hang in there, it gets better.

KKyle M.Regular2w ago

Totally normal. That newborn stage is rough. Around 3 weeks they don't have much comfort besides contact. Try putting him down when he's in deeper sleep, like 20 minutes after he falls asleep on you. And take shifts with your wife so you both get some actual rest. This phase does pass.

TTom M.Regular3w ago

Yeah this is super normal at 3 weeks. His whole world was being held in the womb and now everything is overwhelming. The sleep deprivation is the real problem though. Can you get any family to come help for a few nights so you and your wife can each get one solid sleep session?