Third baby. Different gender.

[littleraysofsunshine]

I have two girls (3,1.5) and a five week old baby boy. Not to compare too much but he seems more hard work at times that those were. He's a bit fussy with breastfeeding, can have a spell of a painful crying noise (maybe colic?) and doesn't seem settled sometimes. Also feeds more frequently but was born bigger and is a big boy...

I can't help but think it's just the fact that he is a third baby in a close age gap. I have one less pair of hands, two other childrens needs, and I'm always busy (school runs, groups etc) so I never have chill out time with him like I did the girls. He's always being interrupted with his sleep for getting in and out the car on school runs, being out an about. Plus poked and prodded by bigger sisters!

So is it all because of he's a third or is it just that he's very different? I really do think it could be all these factors.. He gets over tired from it all and then doesn't want to settle.

I just want to have the time to breathe, embrace it all, enjoy quiet time with him like I did with the girls. It was a lot less stressful with them because I had no deadlines / time limitsx

[TheGreatHunt]

It could be you've forgotten just how needy newborns are.... Trykeeping him in a sling for more of the day. Also has he been checked for tongue tie? I don't think it is a gender thing and would be wary of putting it down to him bring a boy.

[minipie]

If he's not getting much in the way of naps then that won't help (ie it could be overtiredness), but also, have you had him checked for tongue tie? this could explain the fussy and frequent feeding and finding it harder to settle.

[minipie]

cross posted! great minds greathunt

[TeamHank]

He's just a different child, absolutely nothing to do with being a boy - I've had two and they couldn't be more different!

My DS1 must have read the manual before he was born and was so happy and content that I would have had a dozen children - then DS2 came long. Oh.My.God.

They're all so different and you've got lots to do too, with two older children. It will get better, that's all I know!

[TheGreatHunt]

Yes my dad was so unsettled with her tongue tie and it got worse from 5-6 weeks until snipped at 12 weeks.

[littleraysofsunshine]

Agree with all this. I wasn't putting it down to being a boy, just more so the fact that he is a third baby. My attention is divided, and yes sleep in a big factor when he's getting over tired..

They checked at his one week check and she said no tongue tie. Should it be checked again? He has his 6 week check soon.

[jenniferalisonphillipasue]

I think it's the third child thing. I definitely found this and i already had one of each. With the first two you aren't set by the boundaries of school routines etc but from number 3 they just have to fit in where they can.

[minipie]

Who checked at the one week check? I'm afraid GPs and HVs are notorious for missing tongue ties (especially the posterior or submucosal type).