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7 week old suddenly only naps on me

7 replies

CherylF1 · 28/01/2023 19:28

FTM here desperately looking for some advice or just to vent. I have a 7 week old Ds who has been so content up until the last week or two. He has suddenly started fighting naps and can take up to 2 hours to get to sleep. I have followed his sleepy cues and wake windows and he just fights it EVERY time. When I eventually get him to sleep and transfer to his beanbag or crib within half an hour max he wakes up and starts crying because he is quite clearly tired. I've tried putting him down drowsy but awake but this has been successful a couple of times but he still wakes up before a full sleep cycle of 45 minutes. He has reflux which he is on omeprazole for. He sleeps okay at night often only wakening once for a feed but then come 5 or 6 in the morning he just wrestles about and starts crying. The only way he sleeps longer is if he is on me or I'm lying with him. This has just started in the last week with him wakening after 10 minutes before this I could put him down after he was asleep and he would sleep for 2 or 3 hours. Now we are lucky if we get that in a full day's worth of naps. Please any advice or anyone been in the same boat? I feel my mental health is really affecting me now and he is just getting the worst of me because I'm exhausted. Please be easy on me as I know he's still figuring things out too, I'm just concerned as it's only just started out of nowhere

OP posts:
PritiPatelsMaker · 29/01/2023 16:21

I think it's really hard when they're this age, you think you've hit something sussed and then they change, again.

Having said that, it is pretty normal for them to what to nap on you at this age, perhaps you could try one nap a day like that, just so that you know they're getting one good nap?

Have you got a nice stretchy sling? My DD liked bodily contact so would sleep in hers if I went out for a coffee or cooked Dinner.

Other things to try are propping up the head of the crib slightly and using a T-shirt DH has worn as the sheet on the mattress to give it a nice, reassuring smell.

You're definitely not doing anything wrong though, this is all normal baby behaviour Flowers

CherylF1 · 30/01/2023 02:15

@PritiPatelsMaker Thanks for replying. I have been doing a contact nap so he isn't overtired the full day. Which is nice for me too as I get a nap and amazing baby cuddles. I did think about a sling. Originally I didn't want to get one as when he is awake he is pretty content lying on his play gym or in his mamaroo and I didn't want him getting used to being carried all the time however I'm now reminding myself that he's brand new in the world and its a scary place I guess. I'll miss these days when they are gone.

We had a trip to out of hours today as he vomited bile then projectile vomited and became very cold on his hands and feet. Thankfully after being checked out they think it's maybe just a bug so not sure if this has maybe been playing on him for a few days. Today he has slept pretty much the full day and I'm having to wake him for feeds every 3 hours as he is only taking 2 ounce at a time before falling asleep. He must be exhausted the little soul. Of course I can't sleep in fear of him vomitting in his sleep so I'm up watching boxsets on Netflix praying he keeps down every bottle I give him overnight. 🙏

OP posts:
PritiPatelsMaker · 30/01/2023 07:27

That sounds scary with such a little one. How is he doing now?

CherylF1 · 30/01/2023 11:13

He hasn't vomited again fingers crossed but still only taking small feeds. But gone back to wakening up after being put down then when I pick him up he's crying as if he's in pain. I'm doing a contact nap at the moment. Wish I could take it all away for him. Not sure if it's wind pain but I've tried winding him for half an hour after feeds and he doesn't part with it. I wonder if a stomach bug can make gas a bit worse?

OP posts:
PritiPatelsMaker · 30/01/2023 16:53

A stomach bug can actually make them temporarily have a difficulty digesting lactose.

If he's already got reflux though, do you think he might have CMPA?

CherylF1 · 30/01/2023 19:59

I'm not too sure. They didn't think so because his nappies aren't explosive or green. He's in a bit of pain with his tummy tonight. Just crying constantly 😢 I feel so helpless for him.

OP posts:
PritiPatelsMaker · 30/01/2023 20:36

Have a look at the link in my last message. It has some good information from Allergy UK. If the symptoms sound similar you could call their helpline Flowers

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