Newborn sleep

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Looking for advice on whether I can help DS settle in his crib at night. He’s only 10 days old so I’m not holding out too many hopes 😂 but we seem to have things a little back to front atm…

He’ll sleep fine during the day on his back in his bassinet, or for short bursts in his bouncer, but the crib seems to cause him issues that look like reflux. We’ve tried tipping it up so his head is elevated but that doesn’t help. He can sometimes co-sleep on his back but again, reflux or wind can interfere with that. Contact napping upright seems to be his first choice and tbh it’s killing me because he’s also EBF which means I can’t sleep at all. I’m not a fan of co-sleeping (I don’t sleep while doing it and DP is a big man and a deep but active sleeper), so I would really rather we avoid it if at all possible.

DS’s latch is a bit crap and I need to book in with a lactation consultant, so hoping if I can tackle that, things might improve. He’s also a bit sniffly at the moment, so maybe a cold isn’t helping.

Any other tips welcome! DD was so happy to sleep independently from day 1, that I have no clue here!

If you haven't got around to booking a Lactation Consultant, is there a BFing Support Group near to you?

All of what's happening could be completely normal but I would read this on Tongue Tie to see if he has any of the symptoms.

Congratulations on your new LO too

When you say he sleeps well in the bassinet in the day do you mean like a Moses basket? If so could he sleep there overnight as well if he prefers it to the crib?

Are you holding him upright for 20 minutes or so after each feed overnight before trying to put him down?

I would want to look at a potential tongue tie via a lactation consultant as I know that can cause excessive air swallowing when feeding which can lead to reflux issues. Although this can also be caused by a poor latch alone so even if something like a position change is needed this could improve those symptoms. Hopefully a comprehensive assessment with a lactation consultant will help.

@TinyMouseTheatre @angelpie33 thanks! Yes, I’ve been wondering about tongue tie. MW said he didn’t have one, but I plan to get him assessed anyway.

I do hold him upright for ages and he definitely doesn’t find it as hard to bring up wind as my DD did so I’m a bit stumped 🤔

I mean the carrycot from his pram. He doesn’t mind it in there during the day, thankfully. It is suitable for overnight sleeps so might try that!

Ah I see, yes I would give it a go overnight if it's suitable, sometimes they can have a preference for one place over another for sleep.

I don't believe midwives are generally trained in picking up tongue tie (or don't get in-depth training on it anyway) so would get a qualified second opinion.

I hope you can get it sorted soon 🤞🏻

I don't believe midwives are generally trained in picking up tongue tie (or don't get in-depth training on it anyway) so would get a qualified second opinion.

Mine certainly wasn't trained or able to spit a TT.

Like I said it could just be normal fourth trimester behaviour but if they are showing the signs of TTT* I would try and see a trained Tongue Tie Practitioner.

One thing that might help is using a T-shirt that DH has worn as the sheet in the crib.

This videoo* on getting a good latch might help too