7 week old not sleeping

[Paris2019]

LO is 7 weeks and sleep.is all over the place and is getting worse...

Daytime: Will sleep for 30 mins max in moses basket but for hours in sling or on me (and sometimes on DH).

Night: has never really settled in next-to-me crib although we used to get a few 2-3 hour stretches. But those days are gone and we have mainly been co sleeping since - ie clear space in the bed with me (DH in spare room), following all the safe sleep guidance. But now LO won't sleep on back - gas / wind / silent reflux issues but seems to only affect his sleep at night?!

For past few nights he has made massive fuss if we try to put him in crib - real distressed crying, but also won't sleep on back even next to me in our bed due to aforementioned issues. I've had to have him on his side next to me to get him to sleep then try turn him on his back, but I'm so shattered I end up falling asleep first.

I feel like the options are non-recommended / unsafe options which I.want to avoid or I have to stay awake all night which is not possible/ sustainable.

I've read loads of posts like these and I don't think there's anything I haven't tried (various sleep aids, techniques to address the gas / wind / reflux etc). I am trying to catch up on sleep in day but LO doesn't sleep for long enough to let me, plus I am ebf so feeding every 2-3 hours.

I think the answer is that I just have to ride it out but... how?!?! I'm shattered and feel helpless :(

[Crocodilian]

Sending sympathy and letting you know I'm in exactly the same boat with my 8 week old. DH and I are literally taking it in turns to stay awake with the baby sleeping on our chests. He went to bed at 8 and we'll change over at 2, so he gets 6 hours, then I sleep 2-8, so I do too. Then we nap when we can. It's working reasonably well.

[bellsshells]

Hello
Have been in exactly the same position with our 8 week old - including having to stay awake with baby sleeping on you. It's absolute torture. I'd take him to the GP for treatment for reflux. We got given infant gaviscon (didn't really work) but now have omeprazole and we get 3-4 hour stretches of sleep, him on his back, in his crib.
Hope this helps

[Paris2019]

Thank you both... last night he slept on my chest, I just found it so hard to stay awake but as you say, I think dh and i just need to find a suitable shift pattern.

I'm also going to talk to doctor re possible silent reflux... at this point I don't know how much that is the cause and how much is just wanting to me near me.

Dh had LO from 8 til 10.30 this morning so at least I've had some sleep!

[TangBloodyFastic]

I feel your pain OP!!!!

Need advice, getting concerned www.mumsnet.com/Talk/sleep/4135355-need-advice-getting-concerned


She has her check up at doc this week, I'm bringing this up with them to see if they can prescribe anything that will help.

[Paris2019]

Ah yes @tangbloodyfastic ... pretty much exactly the same boat!! So tough... let me know how your doc's appt goes and if you discover any silver bullets!!

[Thatwentbadly]

I’m afraid this is normal for a newborn. It’s exhausting but it does easier.

[Paris2019]

Just posting an update out of despair really. In the last 2 nights I've managed to get baby to sleep for 1 x 50 min stretch at night on back, and a few 45 min stretches during day in moses basket. Otherwise he has only slept on me or DH.

I've had a couple of 2 hour stretches of sleep late at night and in the morning when DH has had LO but that's it and I don't feel much better for it.

I can't "sleep when the baby sleeps" during the day as he doesn't sleep independently. DH is working so can't watch him. And I really struggle with day sleeping even when exhausted.

I am knackered, barely have the energy to carry LO and am in floods of tears not knowing when I'll next sleep again. Even the stretches where DH has the baby aren't guaranteed sleep as baby often cries and I can't ignore it.

HV came yesterday but was no help really... said I just have to persevere with putting baby down on back and that he'll get there eventually. But that is no help now.

Like I say, just posting out of desperation really... I know there's no answer.

[Thatwentbadly]

Are you able to safely cosleep?

Info on how to cosleep safely
www.lullabytrust.org.uk/safer-sleep-advice/co-sleeping/

If you want to read up more about the stats around SIDS and cosleeping then you may want to read this leaflet which is designed for health professionals

www.unicef.org.uk/babyfriendly/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2016/07/Co-sleeping-and-SIDS-A-Guide-for-Health-Professionals.pdf

[Paris2019]

Thank you. I am trying to co sleep but he won't sleep on his back and any other position is unsafe :(

[Thatwentbadly]

DD2 would automatically turn onto her side towards me from being newborn, in the end I just went with it as I had no other option.

[NewBabyGirlMummy]

I feel your pain, my DD was the exact same at that age and it was a killer! She also had silent relfux and we ended up in hospital becuase she wasn't sleeping at all! When we were in hospital the nurses tried sleeping DD on her front (they said they know it's not normally recommended but they watched her all night whilst I slept) and she slept for 7 hours solid! They said we could try it at home if we were comfortable with it so we did, the first couple nights me and partner would take it in turns watching her to make sure she was ok and then after a few nights we were comfortable and it changed our life! She slept 5/6 hour stretches from then on and always slept on her front!

Again, I know it's not recommended and I'll get people tell me it was wrong but the nurses suggested it and it worked for us!

[bellsshells]

So sorry things aren't improving for you. I have been where you are and it's so so hard - you are doing so well though, and trying to do the best for your baby, so please do feel there is hope. I do think you need to get the symptoms more medically assessed, like PP got support from the hospital you can go to the GP for help (sounds like HV could have been much more supportive!) . They will want to help you as much as baby - because it isn't sustainable for either of you, and it's ok to get the help.x