3 day old - sleep, nappies, sick

[1NuDad]

Hi there.

My boy was born on Wednesday. He's just great and I have such a full heart.

I've got some routine queries that I thought I'd be an expert on but feel like a real novice.

1. He seems to be throwing up some of his milk after most feeds over the last 12/24 hours. He seems a little disrupted by this. Any tips or reasons why?
   
   
2. He hates changing time. He can be very settled or very alert but when we change his nappy he becomes very tetchy. How do I prevent this?
   
   
3. Through the night he has very short intermittent feeds and similar sleeps. Rarely sleeps longer than 15 minutes without a feed. Is this normal? Obviously really tough for us but can deal with it if it's normal.
   
   
4. He finds it difficult to adjust from being held by mum to being put in his Moses basket and all the midwives have advised against swaddling. What's the best solution?
   
   Thanks for all your help.
   It's 11pm and we are strapping ourselves in for another long night!

[NotTheOriginalGreen]

1. Yes it’s normal for them to be sick after a feed. Although if it’s a lot each time then look out for reflux. It’s not usually a big deal but can sometimes need some infant gaviscon/ranitidine from the GP. Small amounts of sick are completely normal.
   

1. It’s probably because of the sudden temperature change when you lay him on the cold mat, undress him and start wiping him with cold wipes. There are a few things you can do to help such as warming up the changing mat and wipes with your hands a little before using them just to take the edge off.
   

1. At 3 days old short intervals is not even slightly unusual especially if breastfeeding. It will get longer with each passing day/week.
   

1. Again it’s totally normal. It again could be the cold mattress, or putting him down too quickly could set off baby’s startle reflex, he may not like how spacious the Moses basket suddenly feels after being cuddled or he just might not like being out of your arms. I’m afraid I don’t have a solution to that one as both of mine were Velcro babies and would only sleep when held by either me or DH. Hopefully this will bump your thread and someone else will come along with some ideas for you
   

Finally, new babies are bloody hard work. They’re hard to care for and they’re hard on the relationship. Remember to be kind to yourself and to each other as there is a light at the end of the sleep deprivated tunnel.

Congratulations to you both on your new baby

[mumpoints]

Congratulations!

I used warm water and cotton wool for months rather than wipes, unless we were out somewhere, because of the coldness of the wipes. When I did use them I used to stick them in my bra while I undressed baby to warm them up a bit! (When I went for my first bra fitting after maternity bras, I had one in there! )

I used to put a warm tshirt of mine in the cradle and very very slowly put baby down. The warmth and smell seemed to do the trick.

[EveryoneTalkAboutPopMusic]

Congratulations on your new LO

1. Some babies are sick. He probably won’t like it. Just watch out for things like mucus in his poo and if he’s very upset or bringing up large quantities tslk to the MWs.
   

1. Most babies hate being changed, this is not unusual. Try putting a towel on the changing mat. I caused more washing but is warmer than cold plastic. I used cotton wool and warm after too.
   

1. Totally normal. From your post I’m guessing that you are Dad? If your wife is Bfing can she try Bfing lying down so she can at least rest a little? Have a look on google at the 4th trimester and have a read of Breastfeeding your Newborm - What to Expect. I’d also recommending that she gets to a Bfing Support Group as soon as she feels able, even if it’s just for a and some fine out of the house
   

1. Lots of babies are like this. Try gently warming the Moses basket before you put him in it. Also put a tshirt that you have worn in there so that it smells comforting. Some people use this as the sheet. White noise may help too, you can get white noise apps for your phone. Will he settle if you cuddle him for a bit so that Mum can rest? Have you got the guidelines on safe bedsharing too?

[1NuDad]

Thanks everyone for answering my questions. We had a pretty awful night, of constant feeding and no sleep before I held him for three hours from 6-9 so mum could sleep. I was exhausted though and had to fight against falling to sleep so it didn't feel too clever. But he has a sustained sleep. Me and my partner just felt a little helpless after the night, especially as he was crying even after feeding. But now we are trying to reassure ourselves that it's because it was a big day for him, coming back from hospital.

I'll try those remedies, thank you. Did try a hot water bottle and white noise for the Moses basket last night but it didn't work

One last question, his poos look like mint sauce. He's pooing frequently, on every change, but there's not loads of it. Is that what we should expect on Day 3/4?

Thanks again!

[EveryoneTalkAboutPopMusic]

Again perfectly normal. Green poo is only a worth if it’s sustained. If you are worried about this I’d highly recommend that Mum calls a Bfing Support Helpline. The BFCs are fully qualified and gave all Bf their own babies. Have you got the helpline numbers?

Can you take LO out for a walk this morning so that Mum can phone the help,one and take a bath?

[EveryoneTalkAboutPopMusic]

*worry not worth

[123456kent]

Those first few says/weeks are dreadful, sleep wise (or lack of). It gets much better. Keep on with the shift patterns. We would take it in turns to have some uninterrupted sleep in the spare room, it was a godsend.
Invest in a Sleepyhead if you can, the closeness helps them independently sleep without being held, or if not make your own using rolled up towels, with sheet over. I dont think this breaks safe sleeping rules, maybe check with health visitor.
Sleepyhead saved my sanity!