*help* 20 weeks old and wont go back in own crib after night feed (hmm)

[lovleyjubley]

hi
i'm a new mum and my little one wakes up around 3-4 am for a feed. once winded and settled i try and put him back in his moses, but he searches for me and then starts to whimper till he screams blue murder. I then have to cuddle him in bed with us till he goes back off. If i so much as put my hand under his neck and shoulders to pick him up he starts to cry.. how do i get him out of this habit ready for his cot in his own bedroom....

Maybe try putting something of yours (with your smell) in the moses basket, or try putting him down, but holding his hand or stroking hi sface until he falls back off...

Im sure many more will have more ideas...when i think of more I will post again, in the mean time im sure others will be along....

Oh... how is he during the day? does he settle ok then?

no he has 20-30 min cat naps. when he comes round he is really awake and playfull.. but its like he has a stop watch and it rings in his head to wake up. his nan says u can set ya watch by him.

Lot's of babies have short sleeps during the day, my DD has longer sleeps but sleeps less at nights!

I would say to remain in a dark room, don't talk much, just comfort him and gradually he will get into the habit of falling straight back off to sleep [hopeful emotion]. It may take a few days but his body will eventually 're-adjust' to staying asleep a little longer.

How old is your DS? Is he old enough to go without milk in the night now? If so you could try giving him cooled boiled water until he stops waking for this feed. But again this is up to you and your child and what he needs.

My DD wakes in the night sometimes she is 18months. I just get her into our bed and she goes straight back off. Its not ideal, but its not every night and it will only be for a few hours in the mornings. I don't mind so I don't try to change it.

My dd used to do this when she was a baby, she awoke a little later though usually between 4 and 5, we used to put her in her car seat in our bedroom for the last couple of hours of the night (we checked this with the health visitor who said it was fine to do as they are designed to support) she used to go off in her car seat cos its= feels more secure plus you could rock her back to sleep

Can you try feeding again after winding? This is classic growthspurt time!

oneyummymummuy..
he is 20 weeks old and still needs milk. he wont take water as tried that already... last night went to bed at 8pm. 12 midnight woke up and rest of night in my bed

It is a little upsetting as you don't get a good nights sleep yourself when they are in the bed. The car seat trick sounds like a good one. Definatly too young to stop milk, sorry I didnt realsie how new he was.

I bought a crib when DD was about this age and it rocked from side to side, its was brilliant as she stayed in it for some time, so got my moneys worth, and i could rock her back off to sleep, whilst staying in my warm bed and laying down. I know they are quite expensive but maybe you could get a second hand one, then get a new mattress?

Sometimes I think it just takes perseverance (sp???) to get them into a routine, so if you stay up a little longer and rock him back to sleep in your arms he will get used to going bck off straight after this milk time. I know this is easier sadi than done at this time in the morning.

not sure i would recommend the car seat trick, they are only supposed to be in them for an hour and half a day (manufacturers recommendation, something to do with their backs) - crib though is a great idea - they get to lie flat and be rocked.

I used to feed my two (twins) and then lie back in their cot and place my hands on their tummy's and shhhushhh. I was lucky in that they settled quite easily, but on nights when then didn't a bit of "mummy is here" reassurance worked a treat.

Yeah also the bars on the cot/crib make it easier than a moses basket, as you can lie down and put your hand through the bars to hold his hand/stroke his face/pat back etc..

i have a rocking moses basket. he will sleep in it at first it is when he has had his midnight feed. i put him back down when he is asleep, as soon as i move my hand from under him he wakes fully up and starts to cry. i rock him and shhh him and mummys not going anywhere, it dont work.. i then put him in bed with me he cuddles up and sleeps. i try again in basket and is a lost cause. my hubby has tried to put him down aswell he wont go back in his moses.

i mentioned it to hv. they say "putting him in bed is quite alright you know" not very helpfull when trying to get him out of the habit..

Try to move your hand really slowly and dont take it straight away, move it out and just rest it next to his head so he can still feel you there, then very slowly once he is completely asleep take it away...it may be that the moses basket is cold and your bed warm, so once he has warmed up and feels cozy he should go back off.

HV sometimes say silly things, they will say the complete opposite of what you want them to say half the time. Not that she is wrong but, if you wanted him in your bed you wouldn probably get a different reaction

Sometimes with my DD I used to lean on her slightly when I put her down, so that she could feel she was still next to me, and I had to stay like that for a few minutes until she fell back off then slowly move hand...then other hand...then body, then creep back into bed. Its strange but you will find something that works for you and your DS.

It sounds to me like he is tired but still hungry. Rather than waiting for him to fall asleep then transfering, can you keep gently keeping him awake by switching breasts a few times to ensure a really good feed.

Feed on a muslin then transfer baby plus muslin to the moses basket, so doesn't feel so cold or pre-warm with a hot water bottle.

I would certainly check that he's not really searching for you, but for more milk.