3 week old baby

[LilyDaniels]

My baby boy is just over 3 weeks old. For about ten days he has been more unsettled, particularly during the day. I'm breastfeeding and he seems to want to feed quite regularly. He doesn't settle very well in people's arms which makes me nervous to be around family and friends. I'm getting about 2-3 hours max sleep stretches in the night, which I can manage but with him being unsettled during the day it just makes it all that bit harder! I also am sure he has reflux, he hiccups often and spits up a lot, he will vomit usually once a day (or once every two days), and I have mentioned that to the health visitor but she just said keep upright during feeds etc. He is putting on weight so it's not a bad case I presume.
Im split between wanting to go out for confidence but scared he will cry and just want to be on me constantly / or do I just stay home and get used to this new life for a few more week, whilst napping as much as possible!
I geuss I'm just finding it very difficult at the moment, I'm hoping it gets easier soon and just looking for some reassurance!

It will get easier!!
The first few months are so so hard, especially when your baby doesn't settle. DD1 had colic for the first 4 months and pretty much constantly cried (as well as me!!). DD2 had silent reflux and did not sleep for longer stretches than 2 hours for the first 9 months. Butttt it does get better, every week that passes there is a new milestone and it will improve.
The main thing I would recommend is a sling! I pretty much wore my children for the first 4 months... my daughters were so much more settled when they were in the sling next to me.
Also, definitely try and get your baby to burp after each feed, that could be keeping them up at night.
Finally, definitely try and get out, even for 10 minutes, you will definitely feel better with some fresh air.
Congratulations and it will get easier, so much so you will want to do it all over again... maybe 😅

It will get easier op I promise! The early days can be so chaotic and overwhelming, do what feels right and you're comfortable with. Dd had reflux and it was really hard at times, but GP said not bad enough to give Gaviscon for. She was chubby and healthy and draining her bottles, I'd say too much and too fast for her little tummy! She was very sicky and always sick if she laid down soon after a feed so had to keep her propped up. As she went longer between feeds it did get better and by 12 weeks there was a big difference, things got better and better after that. I remember the health visitor telling me 12 weeks was the point where those issues got a lot better and thought she was just trying to be nice and reassure me, but it really did get much better after that point!

All of this sounds totally normal to me. I was really reticent to go out for the first few weeks, but it will get easier and easier - it's a faff when you haven't done it before, but you learn as you go. Little babies rarely sleep for longer than 2-3 hours because of their tiny stomachs - they just get hungry a lot. My little one used to puke constantly at that age, but what looks like a lot actually isn't usually very much. As long as he's putting on weight he's getting enough. And if you're worried, call the midwives or the health visitor if it doesn't feel right. They'll have heard every question before and will be happy to put your mind and at rest x

I will also add, don't beat yourself up if you're not enjoying this stage - it's bloody hard and you don't get much interaction back from them, which can be hard. When they start giving you the little smiles it's magic and makes you feel much more connected! Xx

Don't rush yourself to go out if you don't feel ready. Maybe just start with a trip to some shops nearby or an outdoor walk so if baby cries or fusses you are not far from home. You will gain confidence. I literally had a panic attack pretty much when I took my newborn out in the pram for the first time, he's 8 months now and I take him out daily to cafes , coffee shops, on the bus, to swimming lessons etc you just get used to it. He's no angel baby either he does fuss and cry sometimes but you just learn to deal with it. He was a colicky baby too for the first few months of his life he screamed for about 2 hours a day and has had reflux since day one too is on two medicines still for it x

Also I will add as others have said don't feel bad if you aren't enjoying it. I am only now just starting to enjoy being a mum and he's 8 months. I HATED the newborn stage and the first 6 months were so hard I honestly thought why on earth did no one warn me 🙈

Haha I would definitely have a third child if they miraculously were born 9 months old to miss out the newborn stage 🤣🤣