Sleeping in boppy pillow + bassinet?

By MrsTiz Oct 28, 2013

LO is a great sleeper all day long but as soon as the sun sets he sleeps like crap. He hates his bassinet at night and I am really sick of sleeping on the couch and alternating him between my arms and the swing. Today I put the boppy pillow in his bassinet and laid him in it so his head/shoulders are propped up and the sides of it are hugging him. He slept. I hovered over him nervously the whole time but now I'm wondering if it's safe to try at night? I really want (need) sleep. I can't take this anymore and would sure love to sleep in bed with DH again but J won't sleep in the stupid bassinet and I don't know how to get him to sleep.

Help me. Please.

He's 2 weeks btw so no rolling over.

You might also enjoy...

Tags: (no tags yet)

60 comments

1 2 Next »

hilsy85
squash / 13764 posts

Oct 28, 2013

I wouldn't do that because I'd be afraid he might fall off/over, but can you do rolled up swaddling blankets tucked along his sides? Or under the bassinet mattress, if there is one, to create a kind of nest for him?
hilsy85
squash / 13764 posts

Oct 28, 2013

Or if you think it's the incline, you can incline his mattress or the whole bassinet.
matador84
papaya / 10560 posts

Oct 28, 2013

I definitely agree with Hilsy. I had the same problem when LO was a newborn. A&A swaddle blankets rolled up on both sides helped us a lot. Also, If you don't have a crib wedge, maybe try inclining the mattress by propping up some thicker blankets underneath it.
Silva
cantaloupe / 6017 posts

Oct 28, 2013

I wouldn't do it myself. Maybe rolling some blankets and tucking them under the sheet in a u-shape? Does he sleep at night or are his days/nights backwards? Is he swaddled?

Honestly, this is why we ended up co-bedding. I couldn't put her down without her waking up.
immabeetoo
honeydew / 7687 posts

Oct 28, 2013

I personally would be uncomfortable with that but know that others have done it. I've read about a towel being rolled up like a U shape under the sheet to cradle them but not have as much of a smothering risk.
junebugmama
nectarine / 2019 posts

Oct 28, 2013

@MrsTiz: I know that it's not for everyone, and you don't have to go straight to co-bedding, but how about one of those little nest things that goes in your bed? then you could sleep in your own bed and maybe still touch him so he sleeps. I think they are called a snugly nest or something.

The exact situation that you're describing is how we ended up co-bedding (totally against it prior to baby actually being here) I was going bananas with no sleep. I felt like I was withering away like an old leaf or something
MrsTiz
cantaloupe / 6800 posts

Oct 28, 2013

@hilsy85: I'm not sure what it is, maybe the incline? He sleeps in his bouncy chair and swing and they're both inclined..but they also move so it could be the motion?

Ahhhgg I don't know how to make him comfy enough to sleep.
deerylou
pomegranate / 3003 posts

Oct 28, 2013

DD loved napping in her boppy or on my chest, and wouldn't hear of her cosleeper at night. We solved our sleep crisis early by bed sharing, and its been bliss, since.

I would suggest a rock n' play or swing (at an incline), or repositioning his mattress, if co-sleeping isn't of interest. Good luck! The first few weeks are tough, in regards to snooze time.
Weagle
coconut / 8498 posts

Oct 28, 2013

I wouldn't do that, but I do think you could make a little nest for him like hospitals do. I think a blogger talked about doing that recently. Mrs. Blue maybe?
MrsTiz
cantaloupe / 6800 posts

Oct 28, 2013

@junebugmama: DH is very very anti co sleeping. I could do it with no issue because we have a huge bed, it really worries DH but he's not the one up all night so I don't know if his vote counts

@Silva: he does have his days/nights mixed. Either that, or it's much less stressful to hold him if he's fussy when I'm awake and not under so much pressure to sleep
Kemma
grapefruit / 4291 posts

Oct 28, 2013

@MrsTiz: I just want to reach through my computer, hug you and tell you that it's going to be ok.

A couple of things to try:
Warming up the bassinet with a hot water bottle
Placing one of your shirts in the bassinet so LO can smell your scent
Sleep wedges so that baby can sleep on his side
Mrs Blue had a "nest" setup for her boys (I think she had a blog post?)
Have you tried bedsharing with your little guy in a proper bed (without bedding, pillows etc)?
junebugmama
nectarine / 2019 posts

Oct 28, 2013

@MrsTiz: Honestly, the first night I did it, DH said to me, "I thought we weren't going to be those crazy people who had the kid in their bed?" I replied, "If I don't get sleep I will be a different type of crazy person!" I yelled it actually and then cried after, he needless to say gave in lol
yoursilverlining
eggplant / 11824 posts

Oct 28, 2013

@MrsTiz: There are some really nice structured co-sleepers. My DH was nervous about bedsharing at first too, but we started with a co-sleeper that had hard plastic sides, which made my DH feel comfortable with sharing the bed.

My LO also refused to sleep at night; it took about 4 weeks for her to switch her days and nights (she slept amazing during the day, and then was up all night, just like she was in the womb!!). I was going n.u.t.s. I feel for you mama!
MrsTiz
cantaloupe / 6800 posts

Oct 28, 2013

@Kemma: we haven't tried cobedding yet, so I'm nt sure what it is that let's him sleep in the daylight. If it's the noise from the tv, the swing, my scent, the incline, etc which is why it's extra frustrating because there are so many factors that it *could* be. Thanks for the hug
Kemma
grapefruit / 4291 posts

Oct 28, 2013

@MrsTiz: it could be any or all of those things- babies are tricky wee creatures! How are you getting on with feeding your little guy now?
MrsTiz
cantaloupe / 6800 posts

Oct 28, 2013

@Kemma: terrible. still no latch and I'm pumping every 2-3 hours and hating it. It was never my plan to be hooked up to a pump for over 3 hours a day and still have to feed him on top of that. I'm trying to switch him to formula for my own mental health but I listened to my OB's advice instead of researching it and fed him too many bottles of formula for his first day of transition and now he's miserable with an upset stomach and gas. I feel terrible because it's my fault. I did that to him and now neither of us can sleep and my eyes are almost swollen shut from crying all day. I really suck at this whole parenting thing. I'm so tired.
Silva
cantaloupe / 6017 posts

Oct 28, 2013

@MrsTiz: you are a great mom. The newborn days are so, so hard. Can your husband take him for a couple hours so you can nap? It sounds like you deserve a break.
MamaMoose
GOLD / squash / 13464 posts

Oct 28, 2013

@MrsTiz: you do NOT suck at this parenting thing! You're doing great!!! When my LO was a newborn the combo that worked for us was swaddling in the miracle blanket and then putting her in the rock n play. The RNP made her feel cozy and secure. She slept like a dream once we started using it. I would suggest trying that. But please don't let him sleep in the boppy, definitely not a safe option.
MrsTiz
cantaloupe / 6800 posts

Oct 28, 2013

@Silva: @MamaMoose: thanks

What about the bouncy chair? I have the snugamonkey one. I don't have a rock n plau
Silva
cantaloupe / 6017 posts

Oct 28, 2013

@MrsTiz: I think if he is secured in it that is a safer option. Seriously though. Tell your husband to take that baby and go lie down! You poor mama!
silver1
apricot / 338 posts

Oct 28, 2013

LO had bad reflux and boppy was a lifesaver. Initially we co-slept on bed with LO on boppy. I loved it much more than standard co-sleeper. Then around 4 months (I think) moved him into crib with boppy. Its a small pack n play so the boppy pretty much fills it and there is no space to roll out of the boppy. Then we finally removed the boppy at around 6 mo once he was rolling well and reflux not much of concern.
Im sorry what you are going thru. Its hard the first couple of weeks hang in there it gets better!!
MrsTiz
cantaloupe / 6800 posts

Oct 28, 2013

@Silva: he went back to work today so I'm alone for nighttime duties unfortunately
silver1
apricot / 338 posts

Oct 28, 2013

Just to add, LO is a back sleeper and doesn't roll in his sleep. Even now he sleeps mainly on his back and sometimes on his side.
lilteacherbee
cantaloupe / 6791 posts

Oct 28, 2013

Obviously I don't have any advice yet, but I just want you to know that you DON'T suck. The fact that you are worried and trying to do what's best proves that. I will drive to you right now and tell you that in person. Big, big hugs
Smurfette
GOLD / wonderful coconut / 33402 posts

Oct 28, 2013

@MrsTiz: You do not suck at parenting!! I would look into getting a RnP as well. R wouldn't sleep anywhere but in it at night. Can you strap him in the bouncer or is he swaddled?
Mrs. Twine
blogger / nectarine / 2608 posts

Oct 28, 2013

@MrsTiz: You are not awful-- you are learning to be a team with your son. It's hard work! And I promise that all parents have moments of feeling like they are doing it all wrong and aren't good enough. But you are the world to your son, and you are his one and only (perfect) mom. Don't forget that!

We had a R'nP and it was the only place Lorelei would sleep other than in my arms. I would sleep with the insert part sometimes so it smelled like me, and if I ever needed to have her somewhere else to sleep for a few minutes, she would sleep there. You'll get things figured out. As for sleeping with him, when my girls were smaller, I just used a throw blanket over myself and only had a fitted sheet on the bed. I made sure that the blanket didn't cover them and was not near their faces, and that they were well away from my pillow.
mrsjyw
GOLD / wonderful apricot / 22646 posts

Oct 28, 2013

I'm going to go against the grain and break all the nb sleep rules, but DS slept in the boppy newborn lounger with me sleeping next to him on the oversize chair/couch we have in the living room for the first five wks at nighttime. When we transitioned him to pnp or crib I used a towel rolled up as a horseshoe underneath the crib sheet and he transitioned really well!!

good luck mama, you do NOT suck at this parenting t hing!
MrsTiz
cantaloupe / 6800 posts

Oct 28, 2013

@lilteacherbee:
@Smurfette: he doesn't seem to have a preference as far as swaddle/no swaddle so I think he would have to be unswaddled to be in the chair
@Mrs. Twine: I might sneak him into bed after one of the feedigs tonight and see how we all do.
Smurfette
GOLD / wonderful coconut / 33402 posts

Oct 28, 2013

Also Crisark( I think I spelled it right) LO sleeps with a boppy but it has some kind of belt so they can't roll. Maybe message her. Hugs! I hope you get some sleep tonight!
Mrs. Twine
blogger / nectarine / 2608 posts

Oct 28, 2013

@MrsTiz: Just remember it is not something that needs to be permanent if you don't want it to. I bedshare, but I know it's not for everyone. Sometimes, though, being able to get to sleep and get rested up is the trump card. So knowing that you are not doing anything that you can't change later is important. I just hope you find something that lets you get some rest-- feeling exhausted really gives the whole world a darker tinge, and a good rest can do wonders for how you feel.
Kemma
grapefruit / 4291 posts

Oct 28, 2013

@MrsTiz: you are doing great and like @Mrs. Twine: said, it's hard work learning to be a team! Forgive me for asking but do they know why your LO won't latch? Have you seen an IBCLC and had him checked for ties? Just another idea but have you thought about having baby seen by a cranial osteopath?
MrsTiz
cantaloupe / 6800 posts

Oct 28, 2013

@Kemma: no clue, he is just lazy I think. I have flat nips and he doesn't want to work for his food, shields didn't do squat for us and he gets pissed if I even put a boob near him so instead of us both crying over it I just gave up.
Penny Lane
nectarine / 2163 posts

Oct 28, 2013

have you tried white noise at night? my LO slept amazingly during the day and sucky at night at that age, til we figured out he liked the noise. I've just got an app on my phone and I would leave it next to his bassinet all night
Kemma
grapefruit / 4291 posts

Oct 28, 2013

@MrsTiz: you didn't give up, you made a strategic decision about what's going to work best for your family! Do you respond well to the pump? I know some bees have pumped and mixed fed if that's an option your interested in.
immabeetoo
honeydew / 7687 posts

Oct 28, 2013

@MrsTiz: lady you do NOT suck at parenting. seriously. newborn phase is HARD. hang in there!! We didn't have a rock n' play but maybe it's worth a try checking Craigslist or something? Hang in there mama!!
MrsTiz
cantaloupe / 6800 posts

Oct 28, 2013

@Kemma: yeah I get more than enough pumping but it's so time consuming and then I still have to feed him. It just doesn't work for me, it's not what I wanted and it isn't what I want to keep doing
Kemma
grapefruit / 4291 posts

Oct 28, 2013

@MrsTiz: fair enough you have to do what's going to work for your family and what's going to help you enjoy your new baby.
Pepper
pomelo / 5820 posts

Oct 28, 2013

@MrsTiz: just popping in to say that you don't suck. The newborn days are no freaking joke, and you're doing a wonderful job. The gas and upset belly will go away, and I'm sure he'll adjust just fine to the formula. As for the sleep situation, maybe try to put him to sleep in the swing or the bouncer? LO would only sleep in the RnP for the first month or so. I think they like being snuggled at an incline. Hugs. You need sleep. It will make everything seem so much better if you can get a solid night of sleep. Hang in there!
wheres_c
pomelo / 5789 posts

Oct 28, 2013

If you were closer, I have a rock and play you can have!