My DS is 7 weeks old and will not sleep in evenings. He isn't sleeping much during the day either really. I think he had a growth spurt at 5 weeks and then went from sleeping all the time to very little. He's also started crying a lot so from 6 to 10 we are either consoling him and trying to get him to settle or he is wide awake. We've tried having a bit of structure with feed, bath then some shush pat in room but the only thing that really works is letting him suck little finger and that doesn't always send him off. Once he sleeps he wakes every 3 hours and it's reasonably ok to get him back to sleep after feed. Anyway, is this normal? Will it pass? Any tips on making him sleepy. Think i'm reading baby whisperer too much and worried about making him dependent on sucking and worried he's not getting enough sleep. Thanks.
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you're probably just a bit early with trying it. ds2 is nearly 8 weeks and starting to settle more in the evenings but still not 'sleeping' until 11pmish. ds1 didn't do it until more like 9 weeks either. don't worry - keep him with you in the evenings for now and feed as much as he wants too, and enjoy some cuddles. you'll get your evenings back soon 
Have you tried (whispers) a dummy? Easier than standing there with your finger in his mouth and v good for settling a sucky baby
I started using one with my son (now 9wks) at 3 days as was crying whenever taken off breast even though not swallowing (so just comfort sucking) and not settling well.
I know some people say they make a rod for your back when you have to take them away but I've started leaving him unswaddled now, so hoping he'll find a thumb before the 12 wk dummy armageddon 
Re day time naps, I know what you mean re the cues. I take is as rule of thimb that if he's been awkae 2 hrs he could prob do with a nap, and this usually works, although a bit of shush and pat persuading sometimes needed.
Oh yes to Elizabeth Pantley, much more baby friendly and sensible :) Some babies are more 'sucky' than others, my 6 week old spends much of the evening suckling but I see this as a normal healthy function for a newborn. Fortunately she has a good latch and so I don't get sore. The 'shush-pat' method is good especially if you are sure they need sleep. I have a two hour rule too, if been awake for a while then worth seeing if sleep is needed. You are doing great
PrincessBoo and Cosmosis - thanks for comments. Been thinking about it and there must be a reason feeding makes babies sleepy - might as well take advantage.
Think I was taken by surprise by how quickly DS changed from being really sleepy to wide awake. Was taking my lead from him on sleepy but realise I need to put the effort in to make him sleepy (sometimes even feeding doesn't) when I see the signs. I've also had my parents visiting for the last 3 weeks and my in-laws for the last week (not all staying thankfully - we politely suggested holiday homes). It meant everything was a bit manic and they had a habit of coming in and talking loudly to him when he was asleep 
. Am going to take things easy this week and try and spend some time getting him to nap during day however I can.
We actually got him to sleep around 7pm last night and he was looking like he was out for the count until my poor DH dropped something and woke him up... finally got him to sleep about 11pm after that by feeding him lying down. Thanks again for all the support. x
Keep at it, it will get better! Parents visiting can be very stressful as well. We were at MIL's for the weekend, and at one point she decided she would get DS off to sleep. Well of course she didn't manage it and then we were left with vv screamy baby! It's frustrating becuase they can think they know best as they've done it all before, but you know what works for your baby. hey ho, at least she's not one to start telling us what to do and suggesting weaning at 12 wks or anything, it could be worse 
I cried the first time I realised ds was crying because he wanted to be put down and not cuddled. Now I'm grateful as it means I can mumsnet do my housework
sorry if someone has already said this, but are you demand feeding or trying to follow BW's 3 (I think?) hour rule? Whilst this is an interesting observation, its not necessarily a 'one size fits all'..
I also read BW and liked bits of it but I found my son around this age, was a real guzzler towards late afternoon, early evening, with me feeding about every hour or so. I wonder if your baby is sucking your finger but might benefit from a milky suck?
I wonder if your baby is getting a bit overstimulated in the evening? do you take him back into the lounge if he won't settle? Perhaps try to start chilling out time - lower lights, not too much blary telly - a good hour or so before you want to aim for bedtime...?
Our breakthrough came when I started winding down (as in 'wind the bobbin up' - not 'getting wind up'!) with my son in the bedroom and gave him evening feeds when in subdued light, no tv on, gentle music (he seemed to rather like cat stevens... 
)
Anyway the point is, after a few days of doing this, he really did seem to begin to understand sleep and bed was iminent.
Good luck, it will get better, promise
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I've got a ring sling and his head always looks squashed in it. Also got baby bjorn but can't get him to settle for me in it though DH can. I actually have a collection of carriers and have 2 others I haven't tried yet 
(all from NCT sales, freecycle and ebay didn't want to spend lots and find it didn't work). One's a wilkinet and can't remember the other. Would like to get a wrap one and see if that is any good.
Not sure if it's reflux - we do have his moses basket slightly raised as he seems to posset a bit in the night but he actually sleeps horizontally across me. Will have to keep an eye on it.
Will perservere with early bed and making sure he sleeps in day and hope for best.
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