How do you get your newborn to sleep?

I'm so frustrated with trying to get my baby to sleep. He falls asleep in my arms but as soon as I put him down he is wide awake again. It seems to be a pretty common thing among newborns! My son does not like pacifiers so using one of those is not an option. I have tried using the swing but I don't want him to sleep in it while I'm asleep and he wakes right up when I try to move him into his binet. He doesn't sleep much during the day either so it seems like he would be really tired. He's not fussy or anything he just seems to be an extremely light sleeper. (maybe all newborns are like this?) I need some tips on how to get him to stay asleep once he dozes off. Co sleeping is not an option either since his dad is a pretty heavy sleeper and I worry he will roll over on him. I do sleep with the binet right next to me though!