2 week old baby won't let me put him down?

Question

He's not colic, he eats fine, no gas problems, he actually sleeps ok. But he will not let me put him down no matter what. Won't sit in a swing, doesn't like his car seat, doesn't like the crib. He'll sleep even if it's deep if I put him down, the second I do he's wide awake. Does anyone have any advice. And don't tell me just to let him cry the pediatrician said that's not a good thing to do at this age.

Holding him is not the problem, I love holding him, but I've got two other kids who need my attention too and any parent would go crazy if they didn't get 5 minutes to themselves every once in a while. I can't even go to the bathroom without listening to him scream and it hurts to hear him scream of course. And of course I woudln't sit him down and just let him cry I only do it for a brief second when I need to go to the bathroom or I appsolutely have to if something is going on with the other two. They are 2 and 4 my husband is getting ready to deploy and not home much.

Answer 1

Well I would say his problem is probably that since he's use to being so close to you (cradled in your womb) he is having seperation anxiety like most babies do. It is not really anything to worry about and it will get better....someday. I would give him periods of time to cuddle and periods of time to lay down. When you lay him down, stand over him for awhile and talk to him or even wrap your arms around him, but do not pick him up for a few minutes. This will help, but I'm warning you....you are going to need LOTS and LOTS of PATIENCE. That's the most important thing at this point in a mother's life. Hang in there and know...THERE IS LIGHT AT THE END OF THE TUNNEL!

Answer 2

My daughter was a lot like that when she was a baby. I didn't get any sleep until I started nursing her laying down. She would go to sleep while she was nursing and as long as I didn't move her she would stay that way and I was able to get some sleep myself. During the day I would rock her a lot, if she fell asleep I would sit with her holding her on my chest for about 10 minutes to make sure she was really out. Then I would lay her down in her crib keeping her up against my body until she was actually laying down and then I would slowly let go. I had to practice that for many weeks before she actually stayed a sleep in her own bed. I understand that you have to let a baby learn to self comfort, but give her some time. She is completely new to this world and the only thing that's really familiar to her is you. It's not an easy job being a mommy, but it is so worth it!

Answer 3

Ah yes, this is common! I've had a few of those type of children myself! =) Don't worry it won't last forever! In the meantime, get yourself a soft carrier that you can wear and put the baby close to your body. He'll relax and you'll get use of your hands back. My other suggestion is before putting him down to sleep feed him really well and wrap him in a swaddling blanket called "waddle me" it's available at any BabiesRUs for like 9.99 and that will help him feel hugged and sleep instead of the wake-up and scream. Oh, and sometimes if you have a spoilie baby like my 3rd one, you might want to take a heating pad and warm up the crib mattress before naptime and remember to remove the heating pad from the crib before putting baby in. I hope some of this helps!

Answer 4

wide awake is ok. If he is crying, try laying down next to him and playing with a toy. Gradually get him used to watching the toy - like a crib mobile or toy you can attach to crib, a musical one may work too. Then gradually move farther and farther away, but let him focus on the toy. You can use this with a swing too.

Answer 5

My son is like that too - STILL at almost 4 months. My friend told me that her ped. said boys in particular need to "check in" with their parents more often when they are little. I don't know why. Thankfully, I can now put my son down at night (but he refuses to sleep in his crib), our solution for now is a vibrating bouncy chair. The vibrations soothe him to sleep, and then once he's knocked out we can turn it off and leave him to snooze. When he was a newborn, I just slept holding him in our oversized chase lounge. It seemed justifable that we both needed the rest, and it's amazing the positions you can fall asleep in when you're tired enough. My day-time solution when he was that little was a baby carrier that you snap right to yourself, and put him in. They hold up to 20 pounds, and you can nurse him while he's in it. I still nurse our son in his, while running around the house cleaning up on those really hard days. Good luck! And like everyone else said, try to enjoy it! It's frustrating, I know, but it really does go by fast!!

Answer 6

when they are that young babies just like to be close to their mothers. I went through the same thing with my son. if you can't hold him, try a Snugli or a sling. and try to put him down by himself for at least a few minutes each day. stay close and talk or sing to him so he knows that you're still around and then pick him up again after a couple of minutes. it's not good to let them scream, but if they cry for a few minutes it won't hurt him....good luck!

Answer 7

I never felt comfortable with a sling, but I loved the Baby Bjorn carrier. I wore my daughter A LOT, because she hated to be put down and I wanted to get things done. I could vacuum the floor with her in the carrier. When they're really little, have him facing you and when he's older and has good neck strength, he can face out and look around. Good luck. It won't be long and he'll be squirming out of your hugs.

Answer 8

Have you tryed a sling. If you are breast feeding just feed him with the sling aroung him and burp him with it around him and that may make it feel like you are holding him all the time.

Vacuum around him on the floor I did that with my daughter when she got frausterated.

Also get one of the womb sounds bears or CDs. My caughter had colic and i got the CD of the cars going 55mph that's 60 minutes long it helped, I know you said he wasn't colicy.

You shouldn't just let them cry until they have worked out their trust issues around 4 months.

Answer 9

Wrap him up tightly in his blanket. It is called bundling and it simulates him being held and creates a feeling of security for the baby similar to that of being in the womb. He probably wishes he could crawl back up inside you where it was more quiet and really warm all around him. Be careful not to spoil him by holding him too much. It is easy to do because babies are so precious and we want to just watch their little expressions and talk to them so they know we are there for them to make them feel safe and secure. There may be some information on bundling babies on line somewhere. Or ask a nurse who works with babies at the hospital about it. That is where I learned what I know, when my daughter was in the hospital nursery.

Answer 10

You are right...don't let him cry! At this point he is still adjusting to life outside the womb...keep in mind that for months he was always warm and being "held". Have you tried swaddling him in a blanket? It is fairly normal for him to be this way, he just needs to be near you...maybe try sleeping w/ one of his baby blankets (to get the smell of mommy on it) and swaddle him with that blanket, also I used the "mommy bear" its a teddy bear that makes womb sounds (like a heart beat sound) that helped my babies sleep. I know it is probably tough on you right now b/c there are things you would like to get done, but at this point he just needs to feel close to you...if possible have a family member come to help you out around the house! He should adjust to all of this soon, just hang in there and enjoy your son while he's cuddly...it won't last long! Congrats on your new baby!!