Can't put baby down on back at night

[AnonymousXXIX]

Hi,

My baby is about a month old and the past few days won't sleep on their back any more at night.

I'm assuming it's due to some sort of reflux. Spits up a fair bit, and farts a lot.

Baby is EBF. We either co-sleep or use next-to-me. Feed to sleep, but burp during and after feed.

Baby doesn't cry, but wakes up and makes lots of squirming noises when placed on back (DH says like a dolphin!) and seems uncomfortable. Will sleep happily when held though (both upright and sideways).

Oddly baby mostly goes down fine in moses basket during the day though. No idea what the difference is with night time.

Anyway, what do we do? I haven't slept for two days! Day time contact naps are fine with me, but I need to sleep myself as well somehow eventually!

Have you tried putting thick books or blocks of wood under the head end of the cot or something under the Moses basket head end so it’s slightly propped up?

Safe sleep guidelines say that's not allowed due to increased risk of SIDS.

What sheets are you using on the next to me? If they're lovely freshly laundered sheets I'd using a T-shirt that has worn instead. That will give it a nice, reassuring smell.

Will they settle if you gently place a hand on their tummy too? DC2 would squirm but would drift off I I did this.

Ah yeah already do all that. It's specifically the putting down with reflux I'm at a loss with.

Are you 100% sure baby is actually awake? Newborns are very noisy sleepers at night

Eyes open! 😅

Look up ways to wind baby on YT, look at your diet to see if there's anything that increases gas for baby and cut it out to see if that helps.
My son had reflux ( born 2016 ) and had a tilted cot in PICU/wards which helped, we also did the books under his cot when home reccomended by the nurse on discharge.

Every hcp I spoke to about mine with reflux said to use books or wood under the cot/basket. The whole thing is being propped up not just the mattress.

I checked with my HV and I've tried raising the mattress a little and it does seem to help a bit!

Still struggled between 2am-6am with wake ups every half hour last night though 😞

Unfortunately I think it's pretty common for them to talk up between 2 and 6. They are so tiny still and they are still building up your supply.

@AnonymousXXIX worth considering CMPA - not necessarily is it but my baby got worse about that age at sleeping lying down and had lots of smelly farts. He also had a rash though but - the squirming is familiar. Once I gave up dairy it was a lot better. If you do give it up you will need to take extra calcium tablets and always worth discussing with your doctor first.

Between the hours of 2-6
Lift baby and wind them again.

Which next to me do you have? Some of the chicco ones have the ability to set the legs at each end to separate heights.

You can also chat to your GP about medication. DD1's reflux was controlled by baby gaviscon. DD2's is needing baby gaviscon and omeprazole. But they were both much more comfortable once we got some medication into them.

Given baby's age I'd say this is normal and it will end. Not hugely helpful when you're in it. I found feeding lying down / co sleeping helped everyone rest more. I slept, baby sucked when needed. (I know you say you're co sleeping but it means different things to different people.)

Try Cocoon Baby mattress - saved our sanity

Heya, sounds like my babe we had cmpa, breastfed maybe try speaking to a HV. However perfectly normal for BF babies to be like this, I co slept for a whole safe and followed the guidelines x

This is normal for that age. It doesn’t mean anything is wrong or that there’s a problem to solve. You need a way to sleep that doesn’t rely on the baby being asleep (e.g. you sleep 7pm to midnight while other parent has the baby in the sling). Cosleeping following guidelines (actual cosleeping rather than using a next to me, babies can tell) is also an option.

How are you both tonight @AnonymousXXIX?