Sleeping Tips for a 1 month old

[ViannaM]

Hi all
Just wanting some settling/sleeping techniques
for a 1 month old
Generally he is ok during the day. I follow the
general rule of fed, nappy, change then sleep
He usually goes down easily (with a dummy)
However if he is not fast asleep and spits the dummy
he wakes up.
This is the same at night. I do the fed, change and back to
bed (with dummy) however we have the same
issue it can take a good hour or more to settle/get him to sleep
We tried wrapping him but he gets frustrated when
when he's hands aren't free, we have used dim lights, no interaction
He doesn't seem to care for rocking or cuddles
Is there a way we can get him to sleep without the dummy?
Or does anyone have any other tips?
He is ff and when asleep I can get 4-5 hours
out of him
You feedback or info would be appreciated
I know it's early but any good habits
I can start introducing?

[onthefly]

He's one month old and still getting used to the big wide world Cuddles will often help.

[leckert]

Don't have too many ideas but with the wrapping, could you try one arm wrapped and the other out? I know ds2 (only 8wks now) hates being wrapped with both arms in. For a while I tried wrapping with just one arm and that helped; I've ended up going with a long sleeved sleeping bag now though as he likes having both arms above his head at night.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk so may not make sense

[RhiChiChi]

Like MadB said, he is still very young and getting used to everything. Just keep doing the same boring routine.
Google Angel Wrap - their hands are near their face/they can move them more freely. Some do the wrap really tight but you can do a looser version.

[HotI]

SOmetimes the wriggling out of the wraps is babies way of getting comfortable and actually helps them to settle in. Kinda like when you go to bed and pump your pillows and shake your doona and then wriggle in and sleep.

[Muppity]

Maybe try changing then feeding. Nothing like a cold wipe on a bear bum to wake you up just before going to sleep.

But, he is only a month old, even formula fed babies aren't designed to go for more than a couple of hours between feeds at that age. Enjoy the newborn snuggles in the wee hours of the morning - they don't last for long and are such special moments.

[LimeSlice]

Perhaps it may be helpful to look at what your expectations are? How long do you think he should be sleeping for, wkaing for, etc?
It is always surprising I think to discover just how often newborns wake and feed, it really is unusual for them to sleep longer than a coupld of hours before waking. And they feed *often*! lol Lots of growing and brain development going on, so eat and sleep are really the two most important and almost only functions they have whilse that young.
So how long do you think he should sleep for before waking? Why do you have that idea and is it in fact realistic?

Congratulations to you and your partner and welcome to the roller coaster!

[ViannaM]

Thanks for the replies! Generally he will sleep 2-3 hrs between feeds
But I think we have made a mistake in introducing the dummy
We used the dummy to settle him to sleep.
Problem now is he will go to sleep with the dummy
Then when it falls out if he is not fast asleep it will wake him up
So we constantly have to be near by to replace the dummy so he will sleep
Not sure if this is good as he doesn't have a good uninterrupted sleep

We were told by the health nurse to try settle him without it
I have tried it twice now and he just cries
Have tried patting, rocking the bassinet, ssshing and he
will just cry then scream until he has the dummy.

I'm not sure what else to do, should I persist with settling without the dummy?
Or do I continue to use the dummy?
Such a confusing time! Any tips on this?

[LimeSlice]

Have a look at Sleepy Wings, may help with the dummy issue. We never used one so not much help with that here.
Comfort sucking is very normal and a key soothing practice for bubs, so I would continue with the dummy if you are not breastfeeding. Sucking is not simply for food or to indicate hunger, they do it for comfort, hence why he wants to fall asleep sucking. I would keep the dummy, and worry about that when he is 12 months old.

[*LittleMissSummer*]

My DD was FF and we had the dummy. It was a life saver. As for sleeping i never expected anything of her. We demand fed with her so she woke every 2-3 hours around the clock for a feed. Expecting a 1 month old to sleep longer than a few hours between feeds IMO is expecting too much.

I suggest keep the dummy even until 6 months when you have a routine established i think now is too early for that, he is still settling and getting to know his mummy and daddy

Don't fret it won't be like this forever.

[BellyBelly]

Great advice already! Loads of tips and ideas here: BellyBelly Baby Sleep Articles - Sleep Help and Tips