Where ami going wrong with baby’s sleep?

[Tirednessandmilk]

6 weeks, and just doesn’t seem to sleep at all. Hardly naps during the day, every evening is a battle and constantly wakes in the night.

I’m really worried about how it will impact his development, I’m obviously exhausted, and I don’t know where I’m going wrong. Have tried darkened rooms, white noise, baths. Please help!

Sound like an average 6 week old.

Their circadian rhythm isn’t regulated until more than 2 months so don’t worry, just try and get as much sleep as you can.

@Idontknowausername

Sound like an average 6 week old.

Honestly? As I keep reading they should sleep about 14 hours at this age!

At that age mine just slept whenever they slept, Nearly always on me or in the carrier or pram. Are you going out for decent length walks so he can sleep in the pram during the day?

Average: that means half of babies don’t sleep that much.

As an aside, have you kept a log of sleep over a 24-48 hour period?

Have you got a sling? Out in buggy? Car to drive around? Sleeping on you? Rocker?

He won’t sleep in the pram. He sleeps in the sling but obviously I can’t sleep then! And I can’t really walk around for eight hours a day! Wont sleep in the rocker or on me or the car ...

So, have you actually logged sleep over a 24-48 hour period?

No, why?I don’t mean that rudely but it is just that he will only sleep in the sling. Sometimes he will sleep for 20/30 minutes at a time at night.

Is he happy when he is awake?

No, to be honest. He won’t be put down but then is stiff and unsettled when being held too. It’s relentless and I’m not really enjoying him as a result.

There’s the odd good day where he’ll sleep loads but it is the odd day and plus then he won’t sleep at night at all.

Have you tried safe cosleeping?

My first woke every hour or two for many months. And only napped 20min at a time. Cosleeping saved my sanity. He got his 14hours or whatever though (I logged it all in a spreadsheet!) just in tiny chunks.

It will get better.

I’d set aside a few days to get lots of good naps in - if he’s overtired he will find it harder to get to sleep.

First nap about an hour after waking in the morning, get him in the sling and get him to sleep.
Then no more than 90 minutes awake time between naps for the rest of the day.

My youngest only napped in the sling or a moving pram, sometimes in a swing on the top setting with white noise going but not for very long!

He won’t sleep though pea, he has a next to me crib so he couldn’t really be any closer to me.

But how, minnie? This is what I’m wondering, as I’ve read what he should be doing and I know it’s never textbook but just the same he’s had 3 and a half hours sleep today and showing no signs of sleep now.

I am wondering if he has silent reflux?

I’ve wondered that as well, it’s really hard to say. He burps well though.

@Tirednessandmilk

He won’t sleep though pea, he has a next to me crib so he couldn’t really be any closer to me.

But how, minnie? This is what I’m wondering, as I’ve read what he should be doing and I know it’s never textbook but just the same he’s had 3 and a half hours sleep today and showing no signs of sleep now.

You said he will nap in the sling? I'd do that.

Yeah mine did too.

When he brings up a bit of milk is it liquid or curdled? When mine did it was curdled and smelt rancid even if she had just fed.

But only walking Minnie!

@Tirednessandmilk

But only walking Minnie!

OK, so do that for a few days and once he's more rested it might be easier to swap for example walking with the sling to walking with the pram. An overtired baby is much harder to get to sleep. I'd really focus on not letting him go longer than 90 minutes awake.

Have all naps in the sling and safely co sleep with your arm in contact with baby (C shape).

6 weeks is so tiny. It's natural to be in nearly constant physical contact with mum.

I haven’t noticed a bad smell and it’s a bit curdled. He gets hiccups quite violently sometimes.

merry he won’t sleep on me. Only in the sling if I’m moving around, I can’t move around for 14 hours a day!

If he only wants to be upright I'd try reflux meds.

If he likes being walked in the sling I'd put him in the sling and sit on a birthing ball and bounce up and down. You can stay inside and read and watch tv and it's not quite the sofa but it's much easier than walking around outside.
What is your partner doing? Can your partner take the baby out so you can get a rest?
How are you feeding? Will baby feed to sleep? Also I second what others have said about silent reflux, my first had that and it's a killer. If I were you I would look into having a consultation with an IBCLC whether you are breast or bottle feeding, they can help even if you are bottle feeding and are lovely supportive people.
My babies didn't like sleeping in the next2me and wanted to be in the bed actually next to me with their little faces next to my boob to get some sleep at night. Once I accepted that we all got a lot more sleep. The other thing that might help, especially if it's reflux, is tilting the cot very slightly so he's at a slight angle. Obviously you have to tilt the whole cot not use any pillows or anything.
Congratulations it sounds like you're doing a great job. This stage is really hard, but it will pass. Hang in there xxx