Crying before sleep

[beckym]

I have a 5 week old son who cannot get himself to sleep. I know its a bit young for him to be in a routine, but it feels like a constant battle. Luckily, at night he has his last feed at about 10.30pm, and then falls straight to sleep for about 5 hours, then waking only to be fed. The problem is the day.

Whenever i put him down for a nap, he just crys. I've tried a dummy, but he spits it out after 5 minutes, and cries because of it, so i put it back in, and 5 minutes later,the same thing happens. I've tried ignoring him in the hope that he will cry himself to sleep, but that doesn't work either! When i tried that, he just cried until his next feed was due, which was 2 hours later!

The constant crying is really getting to me now, and i often find myself crying more than he is!

Any tips? Or do i have to just soldier on in the hope that eventually, it will get better

[hercules]

have you tried a sling?

[beckym]

Sorry, don't know what a sling is

[Twiglett]

try a sling definitely .. its a transitional phase and he doesn't really understand why he's on his own atm .. he wants to be near you (smell, feel) that's all

[bumpylump]

beckym my ds wouldnt sleep (colick & reflux, yuk ) and my health visitor recommended burning a lavender candle as it's so relaxing...it worked like magic and I have to try to keep him awake until bedtime now...mind you I think it's having the same effect on me! I better blow it out now before i nod off, Good Luck

[throckenholt]

look some other threads on sleep - there are lots of them with advice - but the concensus usually seems to be that they are overtired and try putting them down sooner.

A ruleof thumb is awake for no more than 2 hours at that age, and sometimes they tire more quickly than that (sometimes only an hour if there is lots going on).

It is a horrible thing to deal with an overtired newborn, particularly if it is your first and you have no idea what is wrong or what to do.

[Twiglett]

sling reviews on mumsnet

[hercules]

here

[bumpylump]

have you tried swaddling as well? I'm definately converted on that one too after my initial resistance.

[beckym]

throckenholt - it is my first, so i have to admit i'm pretty clueless. Have tried all different amounts of time. Sometimes, if he hasn't slept much i will put him to bed after just fifteen minutes, but never let him stay awake longer than about an hour and a half. Sometimes when i put him to bed, he will happily look round for half an hour or so, and then start crying.

[beckym]

bumpylump - Have tried swaddling, but he kicks himself out of it. Have also tried picking him up and comforting him, but he starts crying again as soon as i put him back down again

[bumpylump]

as mentioned the first time my mum swaddled ds I was horrified , however, when I read more about it, as they cant control their little arms yet they actually scare themselves, plus it feels like they are being held all night if they are swaddled correctly.

You have to do it really tight, dont worry you wont hurt him I promise, so he cant get out (they do tend to keep their dummies in longer then as well) I'm no good with providing links but I'm sure someone out there has one for you.

[Leogaela]

I think its a normal problem, don't stress about it.
I think the trick is timing, if its too late then he will be over excited and need time calming down. If its too early then he won't be happy being put down to sleep and will get frustrated. definitely let him find his own routines. Crying himself to sleep it also OK, so long as it is only a bit of a cry and not screaming.


Try picking him up comforting him and putting him down, do it again and again. try giving him an extra feed (maybe he isn't sleeping cos he's hungry especially if he doesn't stop).