7 weeks old - sleeping not sleeping

[SteakChips]

I have a 7 week old and it's my first, he doesn't seem he needs a lot of sleep. Come around 830am he will feed and nap for 45min and that it he will stay awake. It's like he has FOMO, he awake more than he is a sleep.

Does anyone else's child fight them not getting sleep?

How much is he sleeping in a 24 hour period? I remember keeping some notes during difficult phases as it is hard to judge when you're knackered and desperate for sleep yourself!

NHS cites 8 to 18 hours as normal in newborns - is he in this range?

@colouringcrayons probably say 8 hours , mind you he is sleeping but only because he is in my arms. Last bottle last night was 2245 and the next feed was 0345 and drunk all and fell asleep. It's now 0630 and work up at 5am and only sleep well if I'm holding him. I've tried swaddling but he hates it.

Not sure if it's an option for you but I always had more success if I fed dc then dh would strap him in the front pack. Helped us get through the first few weeks, dc have always settled a bit easier for him than me- even 4years later!

@spottygymbag He does fall asleep with DH but then wakes again. He doesn't mind what parent is holding him. Just seem alert all the time.

Sorry @SteakChips but this sounds to be in normal range, I had a fair few weeks like this. It is exhausting.

It sounds not so much as if he doesn't need sleep but more that he wants to be held to sleep? If you just hold him most of the day, would he sleep longer then? Wander around with him against your shoulder, or in the tiger in the tree hold, or in a sling as PP suggested... when he falls asleep sit down with him (unless that wakes him up) but keep cuddling him Good luck OP, babies are such enigmas sometimes xx

I didn't know the name 'tiger in the tree' hold but oh I loved holding a baby this way

I know it is hard work OP and you are knackered but I promise this phase does pass.

My 7 week old sleeps in his cot at night (thank god), but in the daytime he will only sleep on a person.. as soon as we put him down he wakes up. He sleeps about 14hrs a day but that would be a lot less if we didn’t hold him all day.

@Laura0000 he likes being held, more over the shoulder and then wriggles down and like to hide his face. He likes to be squash and then he does sleep longer. I will try him in my arms or DH. I've never heard of that hold. I will google it.

@a5426567 why had this post been hidden?