Is this normal???????

[CheekyGirl]

I have an 11wk old ds. He's a terrible sleeper. He feeds every 3hrs day and night - he has no long stretch at night. During the day I can't get him to sleep longer than half an hour at a time. Sometimes I can get him to go back to sleep again for another half hour if I go in quickly and reinsert dummy, other times he's not having any of it. It's a pain because he is obviously tired, just fighting it. I am also cream crackered as I also have a 3yr old dd to look after.
Has anyone else experienced anything like this? Any advice greatfully received!!

[Clayhead]

Sounds exactly like both of mine. No real advice sorry, just they they got better as time went on.

[colditzmum]

It just suddenly clicks, he will sleep better soon!

[justamom]

sounds like my ds. even when he did sleep he grunted and moaned so much that neither me or my dh slept...only advice...have the bottles already made and let the baby sleep with you or in a basinet so you don't have to get fully awake every time it is time to eat...don't worry about the dishes and clothes...just rest. Pay someone or have family do it for you...eat well!!!!eat well!!!!Sometimes that can make so much difference in energy level..and one more thing try to relax,,,Baby will know when mom is a wreck and will act apon that sometimes
Good luck

[MazArnold]

My DD was the same. She's now 13 weeks. I can recommend two books - The Baby Whisperer answers all your questions (Tracy Hogg) and The No Cry sleep solution (Elizabeth Pantely). I got mine from Amazon.

My DD is still not a good sleeper either but is a lot better than she was! These books have really helped me understand her more. They are written from a babies point of view (particularly the baby whisperer) so you begin to make sense as to why the babies act as they do - I have learn't loads and DD has really settled down as a result. Don't get me wrong - not everything works but a lot of suggestions have.

I think your feed cycle is fine for your DS, but the problem is your he doesn't know how to get himself back to sleep. We all have sleep cycles from 30 - 45 mins long. Us adults will usually awake and turn over in between cycles and then get right back to sleep, without even remembering the fact that we were awake for a few seconds. Babies don't know how to do this so we need to teach them.

Please get the books and try to find time to read them (which is hard I admit), but get some help and give youself some time out. I can really recommend them. If your first was a good sleeper you were lucky - but not all babies are!

Good luck!

[ceba]

we have found 'its time to sleep' book and DVD by Maree Viotto very useful. she is in Melbourne (we are in Australia!), but i think you can buy online. it is a very easy rocking and/or patting settling technique. all the girls in my mother's group have used it - excellent!

on related note, my ds in 14 weeks and has recently (last 2-3 weeks) started becoming HYPER hysterical when tired or cranky - is this normal as well??!! crying to the extent of almost choking, very red and agnry, arching back, etc etc, inconsolable, boob doesn't help, won't eat at all when like this. it can last for an hour or more. isn't colic, as he eats well and burps regualrly (!), and sleep 6-7 hours in a row at night. seems to be tired related. MIL thinks teeth, but isn't it early?

[Dinker]

Hi Cheekygirl,
I just had this problem. I'm in NZ and my Plunkett nurse (like a HV) gave me really good advice just last week. My ds is 8weeks old and wsasn't sleeping. She said if baby sleeps well during day he will sleep well at night. I had to put him down when i noticed the signs including; rubbing eyes, grouchyness, flicky limb movements and sucking fists. To relax him she suggested the "Ss"; swaying, swaddling and shushing. I put him down at regular times now and rock the cot to get him to sleep. It has worked a treat and for the past 2 nights has only woken up once! HTH

[CheekyGirl]

Thanks all!

MazArnold - I am reading that baby whisperer book atm, it's very good.

I'm particularly tired as dd was up being sick all last night, poor thing, so with that and night feeds............

[bobbybob]

Hey dinker - where are you in NZ?

[Dinker]

bobbybob
i'm in Wellingtom but going back to UK in 5 weeks for good

[bobbybob]

How exciting. Hope the flight home isn't too traumatic.