I really hope some of your experienced moms out there can help me as I am really coming close to breaking point.My little man was born on the 3rd june so hes just over 2 months old.From the beginning his sleeping was terrible.Hes quite a spirited wee fella.For the first few weeks he cried non stop to the point I was feeding him every half hour to an hour.To cut a long story short he was hungry and I was not giving him enough.We now give him tops up of formula which made a huge difference.I will just go through what a typical day night is as last night was terrible.For the first few weeks we had no routine as he was so unsettled.In the last 2 weeks we started a bit of structure.So at the moment about 5.30/6 I breastfeed him which I always do first.Depending he will either be calm or squiriming and fidgeting at the breast and agitated which I haven't figured out why!.Then he gets changed into a pjamas to make him think its bedtime.My husband then brings him into our room where the bassinet is.We put a hot water bottle in his bed lavender drops etc/He gives him 60 mls of formula which he doesn't always finish.A few nights he did go to sleep and my husband was able to put in the cot.He will only stay asleep in the cot if hes put in there asleep.The last few nights after hes fed him hes been wide awake so I have to go in breastfeed him for about 5 mins and then hes alseep.the pattern is that from about 8 until 11pm hes fast asleep.Last night he woke at 11 and the usual is that I feed him first then formula etc.Last night I wanted to see if I could just feed him without the formula.My nurse said thats very little formula hes getting and we may be able to cut down.So I just fed him.From 11 until 1.30 I put him in the cot 7 times!!Each time he looked sleepy but as soon as he was in the cot for a few mins he was awake crying.I really felt so hopeless last night.My husband finally had to make a bottle but it still took a few gos.The normal thing is then he will sleep for 2 hrs and then from about 4 until 7 its a complete disaster.I end up bringing him to bed which I feel nervous about I am afraid he will smother etc so I don't sleep.
I am not coping well with only 3/4 hours sleep every night.Last night as well I felt mad at him like hes doing it to annoy me which I know is impossible but I hate that feeling of being out of control.My husband cannot help at night as hes just finished radiation and chemo as is exhausted.I just feel as well that the days have no structure.He naps on the couch which I don't know if that is right.Should I be putting him in his cot.I brought his cot from the room into the sitting room this morning but as soon as I tried to put him in there for a nap he was wide awake crying.Hes asleep now on my husband he seems to love being with someone which I know is natural.Should he be having a structure during the day and does anyone have any advice on what it should be.
Sorry this is so long but I just not sure what to do and I want to enjoy him
Is he wriggling around when he wakes up? Maybe he hasn't got enough wind up & needs to be burped for a bit longer.
Are you catching up on any sleep through the day?
New babies do like to be held & cuddled. They also like the sound of your heart beat. Which is another reason he would like being held.
Do you still wrap him? Maybe you could try putting a used breast pad in the cot with him, or a blanket/sheet/wrap that has been down your shirt so it has your scent on it.
You could also try putting a pillow or something rolled up like a towel or blanket under the end of his mattress to raise his head a bit. It could help if the problem is wind.
Thanks for the reply.We used to wrap him at the beginning and stopped for some reason.Thats something I am definantly going to try tonight! It might be the solution.We have raised his mattress at the end.Yes he does wriggle a lot when I put him back him more his hands than legs.I do wind him a lot as he seems to get a lot.Its a bit of a mystery why he sleeps for that 8 to 11 slot and then he won't.I just hope it gets better
Babies are hard work aren't they?! They are very tricky to figure out sometimes.
Skye's suggestion of wrapping your bub is great, they love to feel all snugged up and it stops them from waking themselves up with their startle reflex.
In the early days, to get my DS2 to go to sleep I would wrap him, give him a dummy, put him in his cot on his side and pat his back. I would also make a "shhhh" sound in his ear which is very soothing for a baby. I would do this until he settled and went to sleep.
DS1 was much harder to settle and I ended up buying an Amby baby hammock and he became a champion sleeper. It snugs them in to make a womb-like environment and it gently rocks as they move around. I used to help him go to sleep in it by bouncing it for a while.
I really hope you find something that works for you both soon .
Hi Irishconn
You're having a hard time, hey? I really feel for you - DS was exactly the same when he was the same age. Until 3 weeks ago, he would only sleep when held and it was nearly impossible to put him down. We've been working through the steps in "the no-cry sleep solution" and honestly, it really works. We can now put him down awake in his cot and, with a bit of help, he will sleep. Hopefully in a few more weeks he won't need much more help.
The other suggestions are really good too - raising the end of the cot & wrapping helped our DS lots too. Also patting his chest & 'shhhh'ing helps.
I hope some of these ideas help you both to get some sleep.
My DD was the sameas your little one.
Best sleep was from 8pm-11pm . ANd this is when i would go to bed.
She would feed 2hrs (even over night) until 4 months when i stopped night feeds - still fed 2 hrs during the day.
I just took this as part of the package and lived with no sleep for these 4 months. Perhaps you can rest more during the day - or get DH to take him out of your room at night on the weekend (mattress on the nursery floor) and bottle feed over night so you get 2 nights of good rest a week until bub goes longer?
I would definently try wrapping him tight, babies love to be snug. I also got my baby an Amby baby hammock, he now sleeps lot longer periods and can be put in there awake and put himself to sleep (I got it at 10 weeks old). You can hire the Amby hammocks, just google "hire for baby" and there may be one in your area.
I really need some advice urgently!
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Babies are hard work aren't they?! They are very tricky to figure out sometimes.
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