he hates his bassinet HELP PLEASE?

Question

My 3 week old son HATES sleeping in his bassinet. I usually end up co-sleeping with him because every time I put him down to sleep in his bassinet, he starts crying and throws a horrible fit. I already know all the tips to co-sleeping and practice them very thoroughly. I would really like to know how I can get my little one to like his bassinet. Does anyone have any tips or ideas?

p.s. he also doesn't like to be swaddled. I tried the swaddling thing many times and he also throws a fit when I do that too.

Answer 1

HE'S 3 WKS OLD ...HE DOES NOT HATE HIS BASSINET....SOMETHING ELSE IS GOING ON HERE.....HE HAS GAS...HE'S HUNGRY ...HE NEEDS A CHANGE OF POSITION OR A CHANGE OF DIAPPER....OR....GET THE IDEA....PLEASE PUT HIM BACK IN HIS OWN BED....IT WILL GET BETTER....

Answer 2

Now I won't even mention swaddling him, as you have already mentioned that your son hates this. It would be good if some of the other answers could read though ahe!
I used to have that same problem with my son. Although what I did very well may not work for you. One night when he was about two and a half weeks old, I passed him over to his grandma for the night so that I could get some sleep. And because she didn't have his bassinet there, she ended up putting him to sleep in the pram that she had there, and you know what he slept like a baby. So I tried the same thing when I got him back. She told me to roll up to pillow slips and put one on either side of him, so that he feels snug, and then just tucked him in with his blankets. Then I would rock him to sleep, and he would stay asleep for quite a while. In doing that though, I was very scared that I was setting myself up for some really bad habit forming, but it wasn't that bad. He slept in our room with us for a while, then I gradually put the pram into his own room, and then I gradually would put him to sleep in his bassinet during the day, and he would settle quite fine. But I knew that the big test would be getting him to sleep in his bassinet all night. And guess what, he finally did. I ended up putting his bassined inside his cot, with the mattress up to the hightst point, and that's where he stayed, until he finally graduated to his cot which is where he is now.
I'm sorry, I know that it was a long spiel, but I just wanted you to know how I got around it, and as I mentioned at the beginning, it may not suit you, but I thought that you might like to try it anyway. Well good luck!

Answer 3

Have you tried swaddling your son with his arms out? That's the only way that my daughter would like being swaddled. You could also hang a mirror in his bassinet. Sassy has some cute ones but I'm sure there are other brands. My daughter wasn't a fan of her bassinet at first but she loved playing with the "baby in the mirror." You just have to keep trying with the bassinet. He'll eventually get used to it and will even like it. Good luck!

Answer 4

I was having a ton of trouble getting my son to sleep for longer than 3 hours at a time even at 5 months old... his bassinet was at the end of our bed... So, we ended up co-sleeping a lot too... Then, my husband FINALLY convinced me to put him in his crib in his own room and he sleeps about 12 hours per night... He is now 7 months old though and with age, your son should sleep better too... If you are like me, you do not want to put your tiny baby boy in another room though.... so, I recommend putting on a soft lullaby cd and although most babies like swaddling, some do not... you just have to try different things until you find what works for you and baby! Good luck!

Answer 5

My son also refused his bassinette. His had all the lights, vibrations, music, etc. He didn't care. I was completely against co-sleeping when I first brought my son home. I was so afraid I would hurt him. After a week of almost completely sleepless nights, I gave into the co-sleeping. I let him co-sleep for 2 months and retried the bassinette. Still, he refused. I let him sleep with me a few weeks longer before I tried the crib. He completely accepted the crib the FIRST time I tried. Actually, he he slept much better in the crib than with my husband and I. His first night in the crib was also the first time he slept through the night. Honestly, I must agree with you. I believe that my son disliked his bassinette. You could try a crib with a positioner. Maybe he'll like that better. If not, co-sleeping isn't a bad choice. I actually found co-sleeping to be a great bonding experience.

Answer 6

My son was a month early, he weighed 6lbs 7oz and dropped to 5lbs 3 oz, he was tiny. I had the same exact problem, and actually never corrected it so he slept with me forever. I noticed that he was always cold, even when he was in the bed with me, at first he had to be right on my body whether it was me holding him, or just laying against me. after I noticed that he would sleep away from me, but he would still sleep better in my bed then his own. I would suggest fixing this now, I was a single parent so it did not bother me that he slept in my bed every night. Make sure the baby is warm, and feels safe, and putting something that reminds him of you is a good idea. I would also hold my son for at least 30 mins after he fell asleep, before i laid him down, I don't know if you have a chance to do this, but sometimes it works cuz they are already sleeping. I hope this may help, just try to put him around things that relate to you, he will feel safe.

Answer 7

What about co-sleeping does your babe feel more comfortable with is a good place to start. Is it the warmth or nearness of momma? Try experimenting with diffrent forms of stimulation and watch his reaction. Is it a smell thing try engraining mommy scent on a blanket. Is it warmth? Try a warm towl placed under him (An ob nurse showed me that one) Is it a sound thing? Try Recording your breathing and heart beat any sounds he would hear being near to you. Also try repositioning the bassinet. There might be a draft, vibration or some other external stimulation that is causing him discomfort. Just a few ideas though.

Answer 8

It's just like training any little child to do something they've never done...you have to acclimatize them to it. You are familiar where his bassinette is a totally foreign idea. Try to cuddle with him until he's asleep and lay him in there. You may try swaddling him before he falls asleep since he is less likely to be able to thrash around and wake himself up when he doesn't feel you next to him. Also even with babies this young a bright crib toy or baby mirror on the side of the bassinette to entertain him for a few minutes at a time to accustom him to the idea that the bassinette is a good thing and doesn't mean mommy won't come back or isn't there.
Really it's a matter of distraction and/or subterfuge.
Also make sure it isn't a medical issue going on. With my son he had severe reflux so the only way he could sleep was in an upright position in my arms. Any time he was laid down he would reflux which woke him up in severe pain.

Answer 9

Before laying him in a bassinet, put a heating pad in the bassinet for about 10 minutes to warm it up. (I know this may not be "reccomended" but really, it works)

Then swaddlle him TIGHT. I found some babies like to be swaddled with multiple blankets at once. lay about 3 thin blankets on top of eachother, lay the baby on top of the stack of blankets, wrap one arm in, wrap the bottom in, then REALLY TIGHT pull the other arm in and all the way around to his back.

After you lay the baby in the bassinet, try gently shaking the bassinet untill he falls asleep. Also, try a womb sound cd, or they even have toys too (see link)

This usually works.

I know this isnt "SIDS approved" but my niece would ONLY sleep in a car seat or swing for the first 6 months of her life. maybe that would work?

Answer 10

He has to get adjusted to normal things that you mentioned. He is showing you right off that he is going to run the show. You have to do what is right for him and show him how it is going to be done. Use the best methods that you can now before he gets any worse. You have to find what works for you. His fits are getting his way. He will rule you all of his life if you allow it. It is easier to get on the right tract now than to wait until he is two or three years old and wish you had handled things differently. Get help from some mothers who have already been through this. Be sweet and kind to your baby but don't let him tell you what to do. Sometimes when they fuss and cry; they are trying to tell you what is wrong. It's up to you to figure it out. He can't talk and tell you; that's why he is fussing.
Be a good mother. Be patient.

Answer 11

Hello there! I am glad that you two are able to get some rest by co-sleeping.

- Have you tried swaddling him at night? Young babies are still frightened by their own limbs sometimes.
- If you don't have any white noise in the room, institute some. There's a neat little sheep from Cloud B (the sleep sheep) that we like, but you can do it with a plain old fan.
- Try getting him to sleep in the bassinet during naps so that he can get used to it.

I hope that helps! Congrats on your baby boy!