[Molokai]

I was just saying the other day that DS is a good sleeper, and pretty predicable in his 3 - 4 hourly routine of waking, feeding, burping, changing, feeding, burping then sleeping. But the last two days he's gone rogue on me. Now, after his morning feed (the 6am / 7am one) he won't go back to sleep. A few days ago he'd stay awake playing until midday, with a feed in between but now he will play for half an hour, then scream. If I feed him he falls asleep on me, so I put him in his bassinet and he might sleep for 10 minutes or half an hour if I'm lucky, then screams again. He never used to wake up screaming, only ever mumbling and whinging, I'm not sure what's changed. So I get him up, feed him and change him, then feed him the second side, and he'll usually fall asleep on the boob and wake himself up choking on milk and spit it all out, so I burp him and he'll scream (high pitched one, usually means stomach ache I think), so I keep burping until he's quiet, then he'll fall asleep on me. If I try to move him, he wakes and screams/cries and won't settle until I give him the boob again, repeat the cycle of falling asleep with boob in mouth and choking on milk. He does sleep normally at night, but from 7am until 7pm he does the above.

I can't shower, or leave the house, or eat, as I can't even put him down without the screaming (I've tried floor mat, bouncer, cot, bassinet, nothing works). I've tried him in the Ergo carrier but he screams more than ever.

Is it normal for 4 weeks? Growth spurt? Or is his new screaming related to stomach aches / wind? He farts a lot, accompanied by red faced grunting, even while he's asleep. Should I try some wind drops? Or do I just need to wait this out and not make any plans to go anywhere until he's past it? I would leave him in his bassinet to scream but I hate to think he's in pain and I'm not comforting him.

[ChilliDog]

check out www.thewonderweeks.com.au as this will show you developmental milestones for a baby. Might explain why your bubs is struggling to sleep.


Hope it helps.

[~A Poetic Winter...]

Sounds pretty normal...sorry OP.

The grunting, farting etc is normal too I found at this age with my DS, and it seemed to just be a phase. By about 9 weeks he was much more relaxed, happier and settled.

You could try some wind drops, might help yes. Bicycle legs to get the wind out too. I'd just submit and call defeat at this point and let him sleep on you or in your arms. It'll pass, don't worry about forming bad habits at this age they are still so new to the world and realising they are no longer inside you.

If you can maybe test drive a few different slings/carriers to see if something clicks with hi? Otherwise get comfy, put your feet up and let him sleep where he needs for the moment.

Do you have some help nearby?

ETA: don't leave him to scream in his bassinet would be my advice - unless you feel you are not coping and might do something you regret then yes step away for a moment to gather yourself and regain some control.

This post has been edited by ~A Poetic Winter~: 09/03/2012, 01:04 PM

[Xiola]

My DD was the same until she was around 12 weeks old. I wore her constantly in a hug-a-bub and a moby wrap and it was great. He might find something like that a little more like being held than the ergo.

[Molokai]

check out www.thewonderweeks.com.au as this will show you developmental milestones for a baby. Might explain why your bubs is struggling to sleep.


Hope it helps.

The link doesn't work - should it be without the .au? That's an advertisement for a book...

Sounds pretty normal...sorry OP.
..
Do you have some help nearby?

ETA: don't leave him to scream in his bassinet would be my advice - unless you feel you are not coping and might do something you regret then yes step away for a moment to gather yourself and regain some control.

Don't be sorry - I'm happy if its normal! Well, not happy, but relieved. I don't have help nearby. DH said he'd stay home to give me a break but I seem to be able to 'tough it out' better if I'm alone, as silly as that sounds. I don't leave him to scream, I hate the sound. I can cope with him, just wondered if there was some way to 'fix' it. Will he do it for 5 more weeks? I'm happy to put up with it for a few days, not sure about 5 more weeks.

But hey, at least I've managed to watch almost an entire season of Gossip Girl over two days

Ninky Nonk, how long before they would sleep alone? Or did you have to address the reflux and allergies before it got better?

[*~lotusflower~*]

My DD went through this too.

I think it only went on a couple of days then she was ok.

I used the sling and this helped me get things done around the house.
( I do remember a day though where I was wearing the sling and tackling a toilet trip at the same time)

Hang in there OP things will get better.
xx

[B-B-M]

I called them velcro babies. The big bonus is they never get flat heads because they never get to lay down! They can thank me for that when they're older!

too funny!

OP - yep normal, i had a sling for DD2 because she always wanted to be held! The sling saved me!!