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Nearly 7 week old WILL NOT GO TO SLEEP!

8 replies

OlivesIncubator · 24/11/2011 20:07

Could someone please offer some advice on how to get my nearly 7 week old daughter to sleep in the evenings? I am making an effort to get into a good evening routine with her, starting with a massage and bath with the lights dimmed at about 5:30, then a feed in the darkened bedroom, at which point she usually drops off and then a further cuddle to be sure she is fully asleep (using the arm drop test!) before putting her in moses basket for about 7pm. Some nights this is the last I hear from her until I rouse her for her 10:30 dream feed. But more often than not, she goes in without any trouble but then wakes up about 15 minutes later. She is easily settled and goes off to sleep again, but again wakes not long after. This goes on and on with her becoming more and more difficult to resettle until she eventually falls fast asleep, seemingly of her own accord, when she is ready. I am really keen not to get into bad habits already, and would prefer to put her in to bed awake to self settle, but she is still so little.... I am also keen to have some kind of evening for myself and my husband and rocking a grizzly baby until 9pm isn't my kind of fun.
What did everyone else do at this age to settle baby to sleep? I should add that once she is properly asleep for the night she is a little star when it comes to being re-settled after her night time feeds- straight back to sleep alone in her basket.
Thanks.

OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
thisisyesterday · 24/11/2011 20:15

i would just feed her.

is she breast or formula fed?

it's very normal for a tiny baby to not be sleeping in the evenings/all night.
it's just what they do.

if i were you i'd keep her downstairs and cuddle her! enjoy it while you can

ginmakesitallok · 24/11/2011 20:19

At that age I just kept both of mine downstairs with us and took them up to bed when we were going, saved so many tears and stress! - she's SO little! I don't think there is such a thing as bad habits at that age - you've got plenty of time to get her into a bedtime routine.

Bloodyhellthathurts · 24/11/2011 20:21

Mine is only 14 weeks and I'm no expert but I'd say forget the routine for a few weeks. I tried desperately with my dd and then suddenly at about ten weeks she found her own routine and has been going down at 7pm ever since. Feed her and give her a cuddle and wait for a few weeks, she will find her own rhythm. I remember being desperate for an evening to just be my own person but honestly, it will come.

Cinquefoil · 24/11/2011 20:28

Please don't worry about habits - they can't form them at this age. What's important is that their needs are met, which you can easily ensure.

I know it's tough - I have a refluxy boy who is now 8 months and has never slept for more than two consecutive hours. But really, it's so so much easier if you just sort of "go with it".

I don't think it's even possible for them to be forming habits at this age - I mean, I don't think the part of their brain that recognises and deals with habits is developed enough. I think it's more important that they're satisfied.

OlivesIncubator · 24/11/2011 20:31

Thanks for the consistent advice. I keep going back and forth on whether I should just keep her downstairs with me, but finally decided against it when she seemed to be getting more unsettled down here than up there. I think I just need to be less concerned about getting it right from the start and take it as it comes. I am more concerned about enjoying her while she is still little and making her feel secure than a strict routine.
Just to really confuse the situation, tonight after 2 hours of trying to get her to stay asleep I popped her in the basket drowsy after (another) short feed and started to rock her. Didn't seem to be working so I just left her there and came down to write my post. While I was down here she chatted herself to sleep! I think it just proves that no matter how hard I try to get her to do what I think is right, she is going to do it her own way. :)

OP posts:
Cinquefoil · 24/11/2011 20:35

It will change all the time.

Honestly - I almost drove myself mad over this. If he slept well one night I would try to replicate everything in terms of feeding, naps etc. But it made no difference. He's only 8 months, but I already feel like I wasted time worrying about this (I totally get that it's easier said than done, not to worry about it).

Best advice I have had: focus on your day and your baby, not the naps and sleeps. Take it from there.

HeidiHole · 24/11/2011 20:56

According to amazon reviews a lot of people find a CD on quietly in the background really helps babies drop off. I'm pregnant with my first so can't comment but my cousins baby used to conk out as soon as the soothing lullabies started to play. Worth a try? They are pretty cheap and loads of diff ones on amazon.

www.amazon.co.uk/Lullaby-Classics-Einstein-Music-Orchestra/dp/B000E0VKWI/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1322168164&sr=8-2

Bloodyhellthathurts · 24/11/2011 21:01

Oh yes - I did find a slumber bear useful in keeping her asleep for a while, maybe worth giving a try?

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