Separation anxiety in a 6 week old??

[Jaycee]

Is it possible?? I really don't know what to do!

I have been "accidentally " co-sleeping with DS2, he was going in his cot for day sleeps and was happy to spend the odd 10 mins awake in his rocker or playmat but the last couple of days he cries when I put him down and if I try and persevere with patting him and putting his dummy back in he gets quite distressed.

I've tried 3 different slings and he doesn't like any of them so I don't think that's a solution either.

This combined with him not sleeping well at night is really starting to take it's toll on me.

I'm almost starting to question whether it could be him not satisfied with his feeds, as it seems to be a hungry cry at least some of the time, but I'll pop him on he'll feed like he's hungry for a couple of minutes and then fall asleep, I really don't know!

Does anyone have any advice / ideas?

Thanks.

[Heaven]

Possibly a wonder week?

Babies all undergo these fussy phases at around the same ages. During the first 14 months of a baby's life, there are eight developmental leaps with their corresponding clingy periods at onset. The clingy periods come at 5, 8, 12, 15, 23, 34, 42, and 51 weeks. The onsets may vary by a week or two, but you can be sure of their occurrence.

All babies experience clingy periods when big changes in their development occur. Usually calm, easygoing babies will react to these changes just as much as difficult, temperamental babies do. But not surprisingly, temperamental babies will have more difficulty in dealing with them than their calmer counterparts. Mothers of “difficult” babies will also have a harder time as their babies already require more attention and will demand even more when they have to cope with these big changes. These babies will have the greatest need for mommy, the most conflict with their mothers, and the largest appetite for learning.

[Taurean]

I'd say it's a Wonder Week too. The first is at 5ish weeks and his 'symptoms' sound typical of a WW. Babies also tend to 'wake up' around that time so that could be freaking him out a little.

Lots of reassurance and maybe try the slings again. DD loved being in the cradle position in a sling (her head next to my heart) so that really helped with WWs.

I hope the phase passes soon

[onthefly]

My DD was the same at that age. Had been happy sleeping alone and heaps, then it all changed. Just go with it and wait till he's more settled again

[Jaycee]

How long is this supposed to last if it is due to a wonder week? It's been about 5 days since I last got him to sleep in his cot.

[onthefly]

it can easily last a week, sometimes 2-3. varies a fair bit.