6 week old - unsettled between feeds

[Lynn]

For the past few days and night, Ethan has been very unsettled between feeds. He just cries unless I am holding him. I was able to feed, change and put him to bed and he would sleep for a good 3 hours as he is feeding 4 hourly. But now he barely sleeps so neither do I!!!! What can I do to help him settle?

[Madissun]

What is his behaviour like, other than the crying? Does he seem to be in pain?

[Lynn]

I don't think he is in pain, he kicks his legs out and arches his back. He does eventually stop this and falls asleep in my arms and then I put him to bed but he wakes up 10-15 minutes later crying and then I try to settle him again, he falls asleep, I put him to bed and then 10-15 minutes later he is crying again. A nurse once told me to not let him fall asleep in my arms because he is waking up and not knowing where he is but if I put him in his cot before he is asleep he just cries.

[Lynn]

Mel - I can't even put Ethan in his rocker because he just cries. He will only fall asleep in my arms but it is putting him in his cot that is the problem.

[Arimeh]

Hmmm.. Lynn.. that is a difficult one.... not sure what to suggest next!!!!! DS always let me put him down when he was that age (totally different story now!!) I do remember him falling asleep on my chest a couple of times at that age so I just watched tv and let the housework pile up. I had it a bit easier though, my DH was home with us for the first six weeks, so I got a little bit spoiled!!!!! It might have been different for us cos DS was FF from birth basically (2.5 days old) so not sure if that makes a difference as he usually fell asleep after most feeds cos the pig would suck down so much he'd look drunk..

[mrsr]

Mel - I can't even put Ethan in his rocker because he just cries. He will only fall asleep in my arms but it is putting him in his cot that is the problem.

Same here...Jack only lasts a few minutes in his little rocker and hates his cot during the day. He seems to sleep ok on the bed at times if I feed him lying down and then I can leave him there. OR...he loves sleeping on my lap, which is fine if the house is in some sort of order and I don't have anything else pressing to do.

I think if he were a winter baby, it'd be so much easier to deal with because I could wrap him up snugly and tuck him into his cot. I had no problems with James as he was a winter baby...I think that's got a lot to do with it.

[Madissun]

Back arching, crying and kicking out legs can be signs of reflux. My baby boy did the same thing starting at about 3 weeks old and it turned out to be reflux. There are lots of different things on here about reflux. Have a read and see if anything else about reflux sounds like your bub. I may be wrong, just a suggestion. My boy was happy and sleeping perfectly up until that began and it took ages to convince me it was reflux! After 6 weeks of medication, he was back to normal and happy again. He's now 6 months old (today!) and is still on Zantac but hopefully not for much longer. He used to make grunting sounds as well when he was in pain. Good Luck!

[Madissun]

Lynn, Toby used to only sleep in my arms as well until the Zantac started to work.
It may be not be reflux, i hope for you it isn't, just sharing the experience i had

[Lynn]

Thanks guys. Since I have been on here he has been asleep! He must know that I am writing about him so he is behaving. From what I have read it is quite common for bubs to only want to sleep in their mum's arms. I just thought it was me and I was doing something wrong. I will read up on the reflux and see if he has any symptoms.

Thanks agains guys, I really appreciate it!

[Arimeh]

Big hugs to you, I know its hard!!!! I remember DS went through a really unsettled phase when he was 6 weeks old - apparently a growth spurt time?? so they don't settle very easily!!!!! I think I used to just put him on his belly, and pat his back.. I used to sit on the couch with him on the seat beside me, and pat him whilst reading a magazine or something. I know I put him in his rocker chair thing and put him next to a window with a tree outside, and he would be mesmerized by the leaves moving and fall asleep with the movement of the chair. Or the dryer is another good one too, I used to put him in his little reclining chair in front of the dryer, and switch it on and the sound and movement used to put him to sleep.
Good luck!!!!! Its not easy being a mum!!!!

[Nia]

Hi Lyn
I have a 7 week old baby girl who has the exact same symptoms you discussed in your post. Can you tell me how you are going now and what eventuated? There is so much information out there and different things to consider!
Thanks
Nia