Unhappy 7 week old

[waffle3]

Hi all im new here. I'm a first time mum and dont have any family nearby to help me. My mum is great over the phone she had 4 kids.

My baby boy seems never content and a dont want to be expecting too much at 7 weeks but he hates being on his own in a bouncer/swing/playmat for more than 5 mins and then cries.
I carry him around in a sling so i can get chores done and he sleeps. He very rarely will sleep in his moses in the day. As soon as i transfer him frm my chest as thats how he likes to sleep. He wakes and cries.

He isnt too bad at night put him dwn at 9pm after feed he wakes at 1am-2am then4am-5am and sleeps normally till 6-7am but then starts stirring.
I think he sleeps well at night because its dark and i put him dwn in the dark so there isnt any stimulation.
We have gaviscon for him coz hes sick alot i use infacol nd change him often etc to check hes not uncomfortable.

He also never seems content whilst awake unless hes eating he is always rooting drinks 5-6oz which seems alot. He is gaining lb a week and i worry im over feeding.
He has a dummy which sometimes helps.

He was born at 36 weeks and was a crier then needing to be held at night long i was bf.
He got dehydrated and ended up in hosp so introduced formula.
He isnt smiling yet which concerns me too.

Any advice?
thanku

Hiya, the first few months are really hard especially if you don't have any family around.

My first DS didn't smile before he was 4 months old. DS2 smiled in hospital one day after the birth. It's very normal.

Same with bouncer/any entertainment. Both my children didn't like to be left for more than 5 minutes in bouncy chair. Sling and bags of patience is best. Do you have a buggy? Can you take him out for walks? I know it's cold but if you wrap him warm he might be happy to be pushed around a bit and it will give you a bit of fresh air. Please please don't forget to take blankets/warm clothes off if he falls asleep in his pram and you come back in your house.

Do you have a Sure Start center or post natal support groups in your area? You might meet other mums and discuss your issues. It really does help, even if nobody really has a clue!!

I 'm sorry I can't help with the reflux, infacol ect as I have no experience with it.

I would say that DS1 didn't really sleep in his moses basket during the day until he was 3 months old - by that time he was nearly too big for it!

Good luck - and you are doing great!

my DD2 is 6 weeks, and is the same. She can manage 10mins in a vibrating bouncy chair, but will not go in her car seat/buggy/babygym at all. It's great that you've got a sling, as this is the only sane way forward.

she will nap in her moses basket only when swaddled, and held for 20mins. if you transfer her she will then nap for another 20mins before waking. I know this sounds rubbish compared with other babies who can be put down for hours, but if you know you've only got 20mins it's amazing what you can achieve. i have my shower/hair/makeup routine down to a fine art now.

oh, and dd2 can smile, but mostly grizzles. or screams . TBH dd1 was a bit of a grumpy baby as well, but has grown into a very placid, mature and sunny toddler.

It's totally normal behaviour. It used to stress me out so much with DS1, I thought he was miserable and that I was a shit mother.

DS2 is much the same but because I know it's all normal now we just do whatever it takes to get through the day. He's currently sleeping on my lap but had a sleep in his pram earlier. I always have a go settling him in his cot but he usually ends up in the sling or car seat. With a 2yo about I haven't got time to spend ages settling him anyway.

A lb a week also sounds normal to me, both DSs gained like that. And DS2 is 8 weeks old and has only smiled twice!

It's hard work having a high need baby and even harder without local support. Do you have a children's centre nearby? Might be worth going to a mum's and babies group, it helps to be around others going through the same things.

He sounds perfectly content and well looked after :)

Thanks very much ladies, Just was hoping i was doing all i can for him.

Ive ordered a babasling so i will just carry him around if need be. Im sure when he is a bit older he will want to not held so much.
I will just keep giving him love and comfort.

We had only planned on having 1 so he will only be a baby for a short time.
So i should try and enjoy it.

We go out for walks in the pram and he likes it and loves the motion from the car.
We dont go out everyday but try a few times a week.
His nan and grandad took him out for long walks over the wknd as they were staying over.
Will ask my hv about groups i can go to.

:-)

Agree with the others, he sounds totally normal and a lovely baby to me. Think of it as a compliment, he wants to be with his mum all the time :)

Thanx cosmosis he is a lovely little boy cute as a button. He started smiling today not really a responsive smile but it was there.
There are so many books and i always said i wouldnt create a rod for my own back lol but u cant let ur baby scream surely its better that they feel loved and secure and mummy daddy are there for me.
I left him for 5-10mins this mrn twice to go to loo wash face etc. i could hear he was grumbling and crying a bit but not really distressed so if i dop that every day he maybe will learn its ok to be on his own for a while and mummy is coming back.

waffle there's absolutely no harm in leaving him a few minutes to get essential stuff done. while i do try to pick up dd2 as quickly as i can, as she gets inconsolable quite quickly, i have dd1 to manage as well, so needs must .

Yes if i had another child he would have to cope on his own for longer.
Will try and gradually leave him for longer each time. When he's interested in toys it will be better.
Ive got my dad coming to stay this weekend hes bringing a baby gym and another bouncer it is a mamas and papas one with sounds and toys on it so may tempt him.
x