Exhausted

[Kafri]

Well, not sure which of you have seen my precious posts about 2wk old not sleeping?

He ramped it up a gear last night. Wouldn't sleep from 8.30pm til 10am this morning. By 5am he was crying/screaming inconsolably and prior to that he was desperately trying to poo (managed at 3am, normal nappy contents,but still wouldn't settle), appeared very uncomfortable throughout.

Oh my god am I dreading tonight!!!

You poor thing. I ended up sleeping with DD3 on me most nights for a few weeks then moved onto swaddling, which didn't work initially. Obviously this depends if you're comfortable doing so, but it was the only way I got some sleep. I just slept in my dressing gown so no duvet and in the middle of the bed.

Another thing to try which I think gets mixed reviews and isn't cheap is a cranial osteopath. I used one for DD2 who has a rare migraine disorder resulting in head tilts which no one knew what it was originally so I was trying anything. Anyway DD2 slept like a dream afterwards and I've heard other positive stories. My niece had severe colic which disappeared after a visit, although this may have been coincidence but I find you'd try anything. The one I went to was £47 for initial appointment, £37 afterwards and think it was about 3 sessions. But as other people have said it will get better.

Also I used to go to bed as early as I could once DP was home, then he'd bring her up when she needed feeding or he needed to go to bed so I would usually get a few hours sleep then.

Good luck

Bit of info on cranial osteopathy but again I think it gets mixed views...

www.cranial.org.uk/page3.html

I have heard of the brown sugar and cooled boil water - my midwife told me 18 years ago but it was a just in case tip so I didn't use it. Re the colic, I'm not sure - sounds like constipation to me. One thing I would do though if the baby's getting very distressed and this is actually disrupting sleep is to get him checked over by your GP - if only for your peace of mind. That's my biggest tip of all really - if in doubt get a proper professional medical opinion -not the midwife; not the health visitor.

If you are giving formula you could try weakening it so he is taking more water; that way he is likely to drink more ounces for the same no. of formula spoons (try 4oz water to 3 scoops and add in an extra bottle). The extra fluid might help with the constipation. Check with the midwife if you haven't been signed off.

The water and sugar worked on DS but he was a little older than your baby, maybe 4 months, when I resorted to it. Ask yr midwife if it'd be appropriate for your younger baby first.

Circling the legs and rubbing tummy good advice too.

I had to resort to picking DS's harder poos out

OMG that is grim! This mummy lark o no walk in the park.

He has been to the doctors an been prescribed dentinox drops and Nystan which I've been using for 2 days now. The mw even sent me across to the hospital as a precaution cos he had an infection when he was born and needed a 5 day course of antibiotics. Em they did more bloods and everything was clear.

I'm contemplating talking him to bed with me but I guess I am a little nervous about it. Only because all the mw say its a big no no but so many people do it. Once DH goes back to work I think it's the only way ill get any rest.

Ill look into the cranial theory. One mw actually mentioned a lady who had tried it successfully.

xx

Also a tip. Have u joined a post natal group?
That way u can chat to ppl with little ones of similar age. U will feel better talking to ppl in the same boat.
Check it out. See if there is one for ur month. If not join the November group. We are a VErY chatty bunch we have little ones ranging from 16 to 4 weeks old. N some of the ladies r very experienced n everyone is kind in their advice.

OMG I think I'm just gonna fret fir the rest of my life.

He slept a little better last night, all be it on me still, but was restless as he again kept trying to poo (finally managed at lunchtime today). Is it a problem it takes him so long??

Today however, he's been very unsettled between feeds - not slept soundly at all and very easily woken. Usually in the car seat he's our cold - not today.Got very upset in the car earlier.
Has fed as normal but then brought half a bottle back at his 6 o'clock which he has never done yet??!

And we're right back to square one! Still sat up with ds as he struggles to sleep soundly while he tries desperately to pass wind/poo

I need to find a way of getting some sleep before DH goes back to work!

Go to the GP about the pooing.

Marriedinwhite - I've seen the m/w who sent me to the children's ward at my local hospital and I've also seen my GP. All say everything is fine. My HV has been today for the first time and she saw how distressed he can be and said she thinks he may have Gastric Reflux. She recommended I ring GP again tomorrow and ask for Gaviscon. Gonna try that first thing.
As much as I hate seeing DS so distressed, I'm glad someone else has now seen it and can see its more than 'just' newborn sleeplessness.

Fingers crossed the GP will listen and prescribe gaviscon fur my poor little Bubs.