Is there something wrong with my baby.... ?

[Thewonder]

I posted here before about my 4-5 week old at the time newborn who would feed frantically at times going on-off-on off boob for hours. From what others said, i thought it was cluster feeding.

My baby is going to be 7 weeks tomorrow and realised this week his fussiness is infact him feeling overtired (rather than cluster feeding) where he frantically feeds off the boob trying to get to sleep.

I have tried every thing to help my baby sleep better to no avail. Rocking, shhh -ing, swaddling, dummy, carrying him around, breastfeeding to sleep but that leads to above problem where he goes on-off the boob for hours being upset til he eventually falls asleep due to exhaustion which takes hours, and hours.

I am worried as it can literally take all day to try and get him to sleep. For example today he was up at 8am in the bouncer happy, and content. I tried to get him to nap from 9am. Nothing, but he seemed quiet and content in the bouncer so i rushed off to do other jobs. I have two other DC who really need my attention so i am struggling attending to their needs too.

I tried all day to get him to nap but he just wouldn't but seemed happy til about 3pm when he started to yawn, and get fussy. I then breastfed him for one hour, and he would fall asleep, only to wake up 5 minutes later. I then tried rocking him for 1 hour, which got him to sleep but again only for him to take up in my arms 5 minutes later. It is now 10.30pm and my DH is having a go trying to get him to sleep. I know he will sleep well tomorrow, but that's because of lack of sleep from today. Surely, it's not normal to take 12 + hours to settle him when he should be mostly asleep during the day?! One of my DC has severe asd/adhd and does not sleep well. DH mentioned if it an early symptom of asd/adhd as baby hardly sleeps? He smiled at 4.5 weeks, and ha starting cooing already, and holds his head up well and is happy, just he never sleeps! I am so worried about the lack of sleep affecting his development, and to be honest at my wits end with it as it really is all consuming time wise.

Is this an indicator something is wrong?

Mine never particularly slept during the day. Just go with the flow

Mine didn't really sleep either, they're fine

It could be something like silent reflux. Have you had him checked by a health visitor or doctor?
Both my kids had to have medication for it.

I Completely sympathise as I almost went round the twist with my first not settling. The only way he would settle was white noise and a side to side swing.

Do you have a baby wrap? Mine didn’t like sleeping unless it was on me in a stretchy baby wrap and that just about kept me sane. Also I know it’s cold outside and early days for you but if you can put him in a carrier and go for a walk the fresh air will do you both good.

I was told at breastfeeding classes that fussing at the boob was to up your supply in preparation for a growth spurt.

Cosleeping naps worked for us or in. The sling, or walked around in a pram. Don't worry we've all been there. Checking out silent reflux is a good shout though.

Also the boob sucking I think with my two was more about trying to soothe the reflux. We really had to persevere with a dummy and then that replaced the boob. It's all hard work and trial and error. Exhausting.

The poor thing was clearly upset wanting to sleep by 6pm, but just wouldn’t fall asleep.
Dh is still with him now …

I thought maybe reflux, but am confused because if I distract him from the frantic ‘on-off’ boob feeding, or change his nappy when he is lying flat then he goes quiet looking around so can’t be pain from reflux?

Yes, also tried co sleeping 😩. He starts feeding ok, but within 10 minutes starts getting distressed with the frantic on off boob feeding again. Co sleeping works really well for my friends but my experience is opposite to their nice calm feeding snuggles through the night.

So this isn’t an indicator of a neurological problem?

When will this awful phase last? I’m getting about 30 mins-2 hrs sleep a night so starting to crack…

Oh you poor thing you must be shattered.

You can get these little swaddle bags that make them look like a cute a little slug with their head popping out the top that are m very calming. I'd try that. Not like gobags/ sleeping bags as their arms are tucked in.

My uncle used to take my baby (now very NT fully grown adult) cousin out in the car and drove round the block to get him to sleep. One of mine would only mainly only nap in the buggy/ sling or on the boob. I'd try popping them in a pram and going for a walk.

Has he been checked for tongue tie?

The frantic on and off the boob may be wind. If this is your third, remember you make more milk with each baby and your let down gets faster. This can give your baby wind. Try upright feeding positions, and some infacol before feeds. You can also let some milk off into a muslin before feeding.