8 week baby sleep

[MHMQ]

Hi, I would be grateful for any tips or advice. I have an 8 week old boy who is combi-fed and growing well. Some background: he is my 1st and only baby. He was born by emergency c-section and in the early days I had some trouble with milk supply so we had to introduce formula (hence combi fed). Over time I’ve reduced the formula so he only has 1 top up (2 oz) at bedtime but is otherwise breastfed and this is how I want to continue.

The issues I am struggling with is around sleep. He was quite ill a few weeks ago with a cold/cough symptoms and we fell into a habit of him settling with me (ie latching on at bedtime) until he fell asleep at which point i would transfer into our bedside crib. However he doesn’t sleep for more than 10 mins then awakes again wanting to latch on. This continues throughout the night to the point he sometimes ends up snoozing on me. I’ve tried a dummy (he won’t take it) and putting clothes smelling of me next to him (doesn’t work). During the day he loves to nap if someone is holding him (can be anyone, he sleeps on their chest) but wakes up if put down.

How can I possibly get him to 1) sleep without constantly wanting to be latched on overnight 2) sleep in his crib

thank you!

My little one was exactly the same. Hated being put down and would always want cuddled in the night. I too tried a dummy but he wouldn't take it. My wee guy was also combi fed for the same reason as you and I ended up giving another bottle to try and fill him, but totally get that you dont want to do that. You've done amazing to reduce the formula feeds. What I found worked(ish) for us was to use swaddle bags (I could never do it myself) and, tedious as it was, I'd wait about 20 minutes after he'd fallen asleep on me to transfer him REALLY gently in his crib. It's a bit of a blur now but I think that would give us a chance for a bit of sleep before he woke up again. Also used a white noise machine too. I'm sorry if this is stuff you're already doing and really hope you manage to find something that works. Being unwell really throws then off kilter. Good luck xx

When my 7 week old falls asleep after feeding I wait at least 10 mins before trying to move her. Also have you tried mam/another dummy brand with a more nipple shaped teat?

Sending solidarity as my 10 week old has been like this and it is so hard! Same with daytime naps having to be on a body, although she will now sleep in the car seat on the school run (no choice). I think she has got more used to this, and does thankfully take a dummy in this scenario and we don't have too many tears (most of the time). We did have to persist with the dummy as she refused it at first, we use the MAM ones. I find her sleep changes all the time....so the night before she had to be permanently latched on and woke every 30mins-1hr, last night was more settled and woke 3 times for feeds. I am combi feeding too but my LO has more formula than yours, and my partner gives a full formula bottle for her 10pm feed so I can get a chunk of sleep early in the night, and I bf the rest of the night and most of the day. This might not be for you but we have resorted to co sleeping out of necessity for now, as she just won't stay longer than 20mins if put in her next to me crib and takes forever to settle again, and I was getting seriously sleep deprived and struggling to drive and function. I'm in our bed with her and DH relegated to the spare room for now. I've decided to focus on how to get the most sleep for all of us, and having a really consistent bedtime routine. We will make more of a concerted effort at 12 weeks to gently transition to crib, and if this doesn't work back to co sleeping until she is ready, or until we can sleep train! Do you think he's latching on overnight for comfort? When my DD is in bed with me if she's unsettled but I don't think she's hungry I turn her on her side facing me (we're both lying down) cuddle her into me and try to shussh pat, or I pick her up (just in case wind) settle her and lie her back down next to me. Conversely I have suspected that sometimes the smell of my milk makes her want to latch on, so we've sometimes had success with either DH settling, or I'll just move away slightly so my boob isn't too close to her but I'm still nearby for reassurance. We use white noise too which I think helps... and also use this for naps to create a cue for sleep time. I hope you find a solution that works for you.