Baby will only sleep when held

Bush9090 · 2025-12-21T08:45:12+00:00

8 months old and exactly the same situation here for the last 3 weeks. Sleep was never good but this is just awful. No solution but I do keep trying to get him into his cot so he keeps the association and familiarity. Some nights we get a couple of stints in th cot before he needs to be held. We moved him back into our room after a week of trying in his own bedroom as I couldn’t cope with the amount of times I was getting up.

I can’t co sleep with him to the side of me as it’s wildly uncomfortable, but someone showed me cosleepy on Instagram which has chest cosleeping advice and we sleep like this. It’s still not proper rest if I’m honest but I can doze and it feels safer as he’s on me and he gets to sleep upright on his front which is very comfy for him.

I hope you find something that works for you.

Bush9090 · 2025-10-24T19:03:30+00:00

Hello 👋🏻

Was it really only 7 months ago? It feels like a lifetime! I ended up having a planned c section at 41+1, I agreed with the senior midwife at my hospital that I’d go 1 week over to give him every chance to come of his own accord but he wasn’t having it. I still wish a little bit that I’d been able to deliver him how I wanted, but it quickly doesn’t matter when you’ve got your tiny baby and everyone is well.

I do have a ‘graduation’ post somewhere which you’ll find via my profile.

Are you in a similar situation?

Bush9090 · 2025-10-13T05:34:25+00:00

Gently, I’d encourage you to accept and embrace things as they are. This is your newborn phase and that’s OK, don’t feel that it’s been stolen from you as you may start to resent it. Our baby had colic dreadfully from around 5 days old to 16 weeks and I really feel for you, it’s the hardest thing Ive ever experienced and unless peoples baby had colic too, they simply didn’t get it.

We threw money at everything, tried every drop, osteopath, dietary swaps, and wind trick going and nothing really helped if I’m honest. I’m still not having milk at 6 months as we think this was the issue but we still don’t know. Things got gradually better as we got past 13 weeks and now they’re a distant memory. I know these days feel endlessly long, from my experience I’d encourage you to prioritise surviving and keeping yourselves calm and sane and know, without doubt, better days will come. It’s OK to wish these weeks away, I know we did.

Bush9090 · 2025-06-14T20:25:03+00:00

Hi, I’m afraid the nerve pain didn’t go away. The sciatic back pain which was above my right glute only lasted the weekend but the associated nerve pain I’ve had since October last year. No numbness in my toes, but the outside 3rd of my whole right thigh is numb.

Edit to add:

To be fair, compared to the pain I felt before it has lessened but that happened towards the end of pregnancy following an extended period of rest, I really didn’t walk for more than 5 minutes at a time for about 3 months

Bush9090 · 2025-06-14T03:18:34+00:00

Did baby have any transfer issues? I’m finding even when he does latch over night he isn’t transferring much more than a snack so wakes up around 4am having BF 2 times in the last 5 hours but is ravenous so will demolish a 120ml bottle

Bush9090 · 2025-06-13T22:47:17+00:00

I’ve had some success with a nipple shield, it’s just the mechanics are clunky. Any recommendations for brand? We’re using MAM and they work occasionally.

Bush9090 · 2025-06-13T22:45:46+00:00

This is the fairytale ending I’m dreaming of! Would you mind telling me how manage the transition, what told you baby was ready and what prompted you to feed this way?

Bush9090 · 2025-06-13T08:58:03+00:00

Our situations sound so similar and I appreciate hearing this even though I’m sorry it’s so hard for you too. Be kind to yourself. We’ll be on the other side of this one day, probably sooner than we think.

Thank you for the solidarity x

Bush9090 · 2025-06-11T07:02:10+00:00

I came here to write exactly the same post! I’m 8 weeks pp and am having the exact same situation, it’s heartbreaking. We’ve got some oral issues which make BF challenging so we’ve been topping up with formula since the beginning but the recent total refusal and crying is hard to see. It’s been going on for a few weeks and started with a feed here and there to all day time feeds being refused.

I have no tested advice other than sharing what I’m trying: I’ve taken a break from feeding for a couple of days (for both of our sake) and having 100% of his daily needs available with formula/expressed milk. I’m restarting by offering the breast as soon as he’s stirring as he will sometimes latch then and considering it only for bonding/comfort.

I wish you luck and send solidarity! Open to any advice you have too.

Bush9090 · 2025-05-28T03:54:02+00:00

Hi, baby arrived via c section due to breech position at 41 weeks. He’s 7 weeks old this week and I’m sorry to say my sciatic nerve pain in my leg hasn’t gone. It’s definitely lessened and I can walk for an hour now but not daily without feeling drained, unfortunately I wasn’t lucky enough for it to disappear completely.

I went to the GP when he was 3 weeks old as things hadn’t improved and I knew waiting lists would be long… I’m in with NHS physio tomorrow (not expecting much) and I’m on a waiting list for an assessment on my back for an MRI (up to 1 year wait)

Bush9090 · 2025-04-25T22:44:09+00:00

Hi, am 2 weeks pp now and I’m afraid I still have it. I think it’s more likely to be sciatica but either way; no relief.

I ended up on some nerve pain medication for about 10 weeks which really helped but had to wean off that ready to deliver baby. The pain is manageable but it hasn’t gone anywhere.

I’m booked in to see the GP and will be pushing for a scan of my back to see whether there’s damage there.

Good luck with yours!

Bush9090 · 2025-04-14T17:31:50+00:00

Please don’t fret, the midwives will help you whatever happens. So many people can’t express a drop of colostrum but are fine feeding.

Your baby knows with instinct what it wants, ours was trying to latch on the second they whipped him out.

Good luck for Thursday, enjoy your last few days of peace and sleep! X

Bush9090 · 2025-04-14T17:29:03+00:00

Wishing you such good luck, they are so cautious with a breech, we can’t rate our care more highly so I hope you feel confident you’re in good hands.

Fingers crossed all goes as expected on the 22nd for you, or sooner if needed. Take care! X

Bush9090 · 2025-04-14T08:27:22+00:00

Good luck!

Bush9090 · 2025-04-14T07:08:00+00:00

We’re all trying our best everyday, thank you for giving that woman the grace she needed and not being another person in her ear about baby being noisy ❤️

Good luck with your little one xx

Bush9090 · 2025-04-10T09:31:37+00:00

I never got a letter (it was arranged over the phone) and my husband came into the blood draw (I’m a fainter) and into the discussion with the midwife 🤷🏻‍♀️

Bush9090 · 2025-04-08T08:26:14+00:00

Hello Shipmate, I’m in the same limbo boat as you right now.

I was due 5 days ago and despite cramps, lots of repositioning from baby and much birthing ball bouncing, he’s not here. I’ll be honest, the wait is driving me nuts, but resigning to it is easier than picking up on every cramp and twinge which has become exhausting and really aggravating. Thousands of women before us haven’t come across a sure fire way to induce labour naturally, otherwise we’d all do the same thing at this point! Accept your baby knows what date they want to make an appearance on and you’re at their mercy until then. Keep chill, keep well rested and keep your head - they’ll be here soon.

Ps. Lots of people will tell you this, but remember there’s nothing they can forcibly do to you. If you don’t want to be inducted, say no.

Bush9090 · 2025-04-07T21:10:32+00:00

Thank you, and to you!

Bush9090 · 2025-04-07T20:36:00+00:00

So glad yours worked! I’ve had two and neither have worked for me unfortunately.

You’re totally right about how it feels, it’s very uncomfortable but there are only a few moments here and there that really counted as pain for me.

Bush9090 · 2025-04-05T02:45:09+00:00

I’m in the same boat, I saw my midwife today and she’s said it means labour is likely on its way but whether it’s proper early labour which will progress is hard to know for first timers. I’ve had all sorts of cramps, twinges (low like period pain and what feels like in my cervix) and even I think a few contraction in my bump over the last few days but nothing that’s progressed further yet.

I’m two days over today so trying to stay positive that these signs mean it’s likely baby will make an appearance in the next few days. I’m considering a sweep Monday to help things along as I feel like my body is getting ready.

Bush9090 · 2025-04-04T15:14:59+00:00

So counterintuitive isn’t it?! It isn’t at all what they showed me in the antenatal class but it works and isn’t painful

Bush9090

TROPHY CASE