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Original poster

16 weeks old sleep

11 replies

piper321 · 25/05/2025 09:33

Sending this as a first time mum who is struggling with sleep since baby arrived... baby just turned 16 weeks old and naps reasonably well during the day. However at night it is a different story. During the day he is normally quiet in the carrycot downstairs however at night he'd sleep for a bit but starting to make a lot of noises, waiving his arms with his eyes closed. Is this still considered "active sleep"? If so, why doesn't he make those noises during the day?

Any suggestions would be much much appreciated.. typing with tired eyes. How long is this going to last!

OP posts:
BunnyRuddington · 25/05/2025 10:24

What do you do when hes like this @piper321? Sometimes jist laying a hand gently on their tummy is enough for them to settle down Flowers

Original poster
piper321 · 25/05/2025 10:57

BunnyRuddington · 25/05/2025 10:24

What do you do when hes like this @piper321? Sometimes jist laying a hand gently on their tummy is enough for them to settle down Flowers

I tried that, didn't seem to work as he moves quite aggressively. Also tried shhhh next to him whilst holding his arms down, which worked for a little bit but not always😔we also got a white noise machine which I don't think work for him either..

OP posts:
Elisabeth3468 · 25/05/2025 10:58

they are just more grunty at night as less movement so they get more gas etc. just leave him to it if he's not actually crying?

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Pinky1256 · 25/05/2025 11:50

My baby was like that, completely normal. He started younger than 16 weeks but he wasn't swaddled. The hands movement is the hands reflex where they move them involuntarily and sometimes wake up themselves.

I got an app doing the "Sush" , it's so good, better than any other white noises sounds. My baby at that age used to make a lot of grunting noises when sleeping, they later make less noises but still make. I would leave my baby up to himself, unless he started crying, I worry if I touch him he wakes up. I would sometimes try giving the dummy and he would calm down although he was always grunting while still sleeping.

Original poster
piper321 · 25/05/2025 15:31

Elisabeth3468 · 25/05/2025 10:58

they are just more grunty at night as less movement so they get more gas etc. just leave him to it if he's not actually crying?

Thank you, will give a try tonight!

OP posts:
Original poster
piper321 · 25/05/2025 15:34

Pinky1256 · 25/05/2025 11:50

My baby was like that, completely normal. He started younger than 16 weeks but he wasn't swaddled. The hands movement is the hands reflex where they move them involuntarily and sometimes wake up themselves.

I got an app doing the "Sush" , it's so good, better than any other white noises sounds. My baby at that age used to make a lot of grunting noises when sleeping, they later make less noises but still make. I would leave my baby up to himself, unless he started crying, I worry if I touch him he wakes up. I would sometimes try giving the dummy and he would calm down although he was always grunting while still sleeping.

Mine did not take the dummy at all😑thanks for the reassurance. In another life I can sleep through a lot of noises but with the baby I wake up at the slightest noise! I tried to get a bit of sleep here and there, but not having a complete uninterrupted sleep is taking a toll on me.

OP posts:
WhatHaveIDone889 · 25/05/2025 16:07

Yeah mine did that too. Don't pick him up as you'll wake him up. He grew out of it by 5 months. I think a lot of it is gas but also they spend a long time in light sleep at night which is when this active phase happens. I used to wear ear plugs and moved my bed to the far end of the room 😂

Original poster
piper321 · 26/05/2025 14:47

WhatHaveIDone889 · 25/05/2025 16:07

Yeah mine did that too. Don't pick him up as you'll wake him up. He grew out of it by 5 months. I think a lot of it is gas but also they spend a long time in light sleep at night which is when this active phase happens. I used to wear ear plugs and moved my bed to the far end of the room 😂

That's a great suggestion, I will try it for sure!

OP posts:
Pinky1256 · 27/05/2025 03:23

I also have light sleep. Do you get anxious because of his noises? Wondering if he's unwell?

I'm a very composed and self-assured person in real life but when it comes to the baby I get anxious often. I got him the Owlet sensor, it's a sock that you put at night and it measures his oxygen and heart rate. It rings an alarm if any of those drop to a dangerous level. My baby sleeps next to me in his cot, but having the sensor gives me peace of mind and improves my sleep.

Original poster
piper321 · 03/06/2025 09:33

Pinky1256 · 27/05/2025 03:23

I also have light sleep. Do you get anxious because of his noises? Wondering if he's unwell?

I'm a very composed and self-assured person in real life but when it comes to the baby I get anxious often. I got him the Owlet sensor, it's a sock that you put at night and it measures his oxygen and heart rate. It rings an alarm if any of those drop to a dangerous level. My baby sleeps next to me in his cot, but having the sensor gives me peace of mind and improves my sleep.

Same here! We did get a sensor but never tried it, will unpack today and give it a go too, thank you!

OP posts:
Flowerrose1 · 03/06/2025 09:57

I had this with my baby... I found if I gently rubbed his belly in a clockwise fashion it was often gas... I would do it quite a few times and then it would 'relieve the problem' and he would settle down

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