He won't sleep

DS has been a great sleeper from Day 1.

But now at 2 weeks old, he just won't settle. He doesn't cry at all, but just won't sleep. I don't think it's right for 2 week olds to be awake for 4 hours.

He's been awake for 2 hours now, but looks like he might be dropping off. Any ideas why he has suddenly stopped sleeping? Last night was horrible. He fed every 2 hours and was awake for an hour or so. it makes it worse because DH is back at work today. Eeep.

He looks so tired but just won't sleep.
I'm concerned about my supply, as it dried up with DD after 2 months of pumping.
I can't buy anything to increase my supply as our town is too small and doesn't have anything.

DS currently sleeps in the rocker as he coughs and gags when he's layed flat.

Suggestions please?
I thought about wearing him, just to get him to sleep, but I'm bleeding really badly today so I can't really do much at all.

:hugs: it's so hard when they won't sleep, thankful their not crying though hey.

I'm am certainly no expert but my bub wouldn't sleep during the day unless she was held & it was hard work getting her to sleep, that lasted until she was just over 3months. The only thing I found was to pop her in the sling, I'd then pop on a DVD and rock or walk with her until she was asleep then sit down while she napped. It turned out she was refluxy. It sounds as though your bub might be the same with the coughing? I'm sorry I can't offer some grand advice, I hope your babe gets some good naps in today.

He could just be a happy and alert baby. Makes it tough during the night though. DD was really alert during the day, right from birth. Even her newborn photos she was wide awake and checking things out. She struggled with sleeping flat, so we put her in the bassinet with the mattress propped up by a towel, she was happy and content there after that.

Why are you worried about your supply this time around? Stress would have been a huge factor with your DD as to why it dried up. Maybe call the ABA or ask Barb on here for some reassurance?

All of a sudden I just feel so soft and he wants to feed more often.

My babies have both stayed awake for longer periods from early on, so its not unusual. Sometimes they need help to sleep, othertimes they just don't sleep.

Babies often 'wake up' at around 2 weeks too, so it could just be all normal newbrn behaviour. Do you have both kids today? does dd have a sleep? can you lie down with the baby and feed and hopefully both of you get some sleep?

DS and i spent some lovely days lounging around on the bed feeding and sleeping.


Pumping is quite different to breastfeeding, just keep feeding and you will keep making milk.

can dd sit in the bath comfortably? my fall back is to jump in the bath with both kids, it can destress everyone.

I agree, he's probably woken up. The soft feeling happened for me too, I'd only get hard boobs if DD missed a feed. Try not to compare your two experiences; one was an emergency csection preterm with pumping (it's more difficult to maintain a supply while pumping), this time it's a vaginal birth at term with a baby to your breast :) Are you on some iron now? If you want I could post you things that you need, maybe an iron supp and some BF tea. Let me know.

Yep, I got the soft feeling too. It was a bit weird because it didn't feel like I had anything to feed DD, but she was giving me lots of wet nappies and growing. We got to 14 months. :hug:

Thanks.
HotI: Yep, both kids today. DD is playing happily between watching some TV. I'm impressed I've gotten dressed, fed DD and put a load of washing on. DD does have a sleep at 11.30 for nearly 2 hours. I feel so bad, but since DS was born I don't wake up to DD anymore. I just don't hear her if she wakes. I'm going to try and rest when she goes down.
A bath sounds like a good idea, but I'm not confident enough to do that yet.

PZ: Yep, I started an iron supp yesterday. Hopefully it makes a difference because I just feel drained. I'd love to hear what you have to post. :)

Pac: That's how I feel. But he is still pooping and peeing, so I gotta try not to stress.

This breastfeeding thing is weird. :(
In a way, I like FF/EBM'ing because I know exactly how much bub is getting.

That feeling of worrying about how much bubs is getting is so normal :hug: DD BF for the first 2 days, then stopped latching, so I pumped and fed her with a cup for pretty much two weeks. It was comforting knowing she was getting 80ml here, 50ml there etc. When she went back to the breast it was very nerve wracking for me. The only indicator is time and nappies. The breast will be back up to about 80% capacity I believe about 30 mins after a feed. That info comforted me a lot. I also found using a feed tracker app was really reassuring, so I could see how long she fed and how long since her last one, as well as when her dirty/wet nappies were, sleeps etc. A bit OTT but it got me through until I was sure she would be fine. We BF exclusively until 7 or 8 months, no issues :) And kept strong when she started solids. It's all so new for you, I hope knowing others get where you're coming from helps.

I've got some breastfeeding tea that I obviously don't need right now, it's tasty IMO and did make me feel a bit fuller. I can post it to you if you'd like, it must suck not being able to pop into a shopping centre and grab what you want.

Do you have a sling or something like that?

Char, this whole experience must feel a little bit like a totally new ball game - as Pac says, vag birth, straight to breast, completely different to little DD. I know how stressful it can be worrying about how much he is getting but you need to trust your body will eventually catch up and produce exactly how much he needs. You can make sure he is getting enough milk without measuring how much goes in though - by what's coming out. If he's pooing and weeing lots then he's getting lots of nice milk :) How many wet/dirty nappies in 24 hours? You'd expect 5-6 heavy, wet disposables in 24 hours. Maybe even more at this age :)

Also - if you are worried about how much milk you're making and he's getting, best solution is to put him on the breast more often. If he cries, stick him on. Looks hungry, stick him on. Wants to sleep, stick him on. He should be feeding anywhere from 8-12 times in 24 hours, more is ok too!

Has he been weighed recently?

I'd also second the propping the mattress up idea. We used a roll up towel underneath the cradle mattress to keep DD elevated. That might help!

I managed to transfer him from the sling to the rocker, but I'm not sure if he's going to stay asleep...
He's probably doing 8ish wet/dirty nappies a day. DD was elevated in her cot for 10 months, but she had severe reflux which meant she couldn't lay flat.
He's doing alot of coughing and gagging when I lay him flat, even on my knees while I wrap him. I have a m/w appt tomorrow and I'm going to talk to her about reflux and how soon I can get him on Zantac if he doesn't improve.

He's only cried today, that's the 2nd or 3rd time since he got home. He just isn't a crier, but the looks of it.

I stick him on the boob constantly. Today he wasn't 'feeding' but just comfort sucking while he dozed for about half an hour. I tried to get him off a few times, but he wasn't letting go so I just left him.

I guess I just have to trust my body. It's so weird having a 'real baby'. I just remember DD slept 3 hours and was only up for 20 mins when she got home. She was like that for weeks and weeks. I just assumed that was normal.

How are you doing today Char? Did the nurse have any advice/support for you?

:hug:

He hasnt been too bad, but we had to go to town yesterday and stupid me had some KFC.
He screamed for over 2 straight hours. It was horrible.

We've started him on Zantac because his reflux is getting worse. So hopefully it starts to work soon.

I've got the mummy guilts for putting him in so much pain. :(

Are you sure it was the KFC? I find it hard to work out what triggers my DS (he was a screamy, refluxy, colicky baby from soon after birth). Could it have been travelling/going to town/ out of his normal routine?

hope today was a better one.