How content is your 6 wk old?

[Merlin333]

My 6 wk old isnormally awake for about an hr and a half between naps during the day she has contented happy time for about 15 mins but the rest of the time apart from feeding she has been really grumpy despite being fed and nappy change, I struggle with how to keep her settled! Any one else like this or are your babies of this age content when awake?

Mine is 12 now but just wanted to say she was a pretty serious baby. I remember her not smiling at 6 weeks, and even once she'd done it you had to work pretty hard for a small smile. She was sensitive as a baby - plus a terrible sleeper - and has a low pain threshold even now. Some babies are harder work than others (dd2 was the easiest baby ever and very smiley). They still turn out fab, so don't read anything into it.

6 weeks is peak crying, apparently! So don't worry. It's pretty normal and they do get happier.

Do you have a sling? That can help :)

I found 6-12 weeks the worse for baby being unsettled. Think it's just a tricky stage of baby coming out of the tiny newborn phase, becoming a bit more alert and getting used to it!

Oh my god the first 12 weeks (at least) was spent with my trying to get to baby to not whine or cry. lol It 100% gets easier!!! I have a suspected 'high needs' baby so she gets bored very easily but i have been told once she starts moving around and doing things for herself she will be much happier!

Mine is 12 weeks. By 6 weeks the crying and colic was bloody awful. He's my 3rd. The others were the same. Now at 12 weeks the colic is mostly gone, and the crying feels more manageable. He still has bad days where he spends most of the day in the sling. Luckily he will sleep in his cot, and is very content doing so. I think often they cry because they are tired, and everything you do to calm them (rocking, feeding, singing) actually over stimulates and distresses them. A very quiet, calm cuddle in a dark, warm room, then put down in a warm cot once well asleep gives you both some time out. You can gradually put them down after shorter and shorter cuddles until they can go down awake with little fuss (often anyway).

Thanks! Glad im not alone, we've had screaming again for the last few hrs but shes finally fallen asleep over my shoulder, now just got to wait until its safe to transfer her into moses basket!!!! Ive tried a sling but need to get her more used to it as she hated it and screamed ,wriggled when i tried it!!!! Im loving listening to her little snores atm 😊 X

6 weeks was my nadir - it culminated with the baby on the bed sobbing and me on my knees next to the bed sobbing! But by 7 weeks she was much better and suddenly sleeping for 4-5 hours at night and by 8 weeks she was grinning at me (strictly on her terms but still!). It won't be long before you have a more settled baby!

Mine screamed almost constantly until I cut out cows milk and now she's a happy little thing

Mine screamed all day and all night at 6 weeks, it was a bad case of reflux. Meds worked wonders for him and he put on 2,5 pounds in a fortnight on them. He's actually a very happy boy, and has been since two months.