I am exhausted.

[Faith48]

I have a 4 week old DS who does not sleep for more than 15 minutes during the day and the nights aren't any better.

I typical day starts at 7:00 then DS won't sleep at all throughout the day apart from 3 5 minute 'naps' after having a feed and then he will wake up and stay awake. This goes on all day and then at night at 23:30 I will feed him and put him in his Moses basket, he will wake up at half 2 for a feed and he will stay awake for 2-3 hours! He will fall asleep after a feed and as soon as he gets put in his Moses basket he is screaming within 5 minutes, It is exactly the same during the day. Eventually he will fall asleep (generally after 3 hours) for 2 hours, wake up and start this all over again.

I've tried everything, Letting him get into a 'deep sleep' before putting him in his Moses basket, singing to him, playing music, having the TV on, having no noise at all, making the room pitch black, having a night light on and swaddling him.

I also have a 2 year old and I am knackered, this cannot be normal for a 4 week old surely? It has been like this for a few weeks now and I am exhausted.

Firstly I really feel for you, sleep deprivation is miserable. It does sound very unusual for a baby that age to need so little sleep, what is his mood when he's awake? Will he sleep soundly in your arms or does he have short naps regardless of where he is? Some babies hate sleeping on their backs which is really tough when you have to put them on the back for safety but he may be more comfortable if he is slightly upright maybe in a carseat, buggy with the head slightly raised, with the Moses basket mattress slightly raised (just a folded up towel underneath would work) etc. also a friend found putting a hot water bottle in the basket and then switching it with the baby once it was asleep stopped him from waking up when she put him down. On really bad nights I got through it by co- sleeping but I know this isn't for everyone. And during the day I find a sling is invaluable and will always get him to sleep which at least leaves your hands free.
Do you have anyone who can take both children so you can get a nap in the day? I found anything I could get in the day made the nights slightly more bearable.
I really hope things get better soon.

That sounds awful and must be very hard for you, especially with a toddler to deal with as well. I can't imagine anyone's mental health could hold up for too long on that little sleep. With any luck DS will just grow out of it, but I doubt you feel like waiting around for a few months to wait and see, and nor should you. Do you have a decent health visitor? Could you ask them if there is any professional help you could access? I'm not sure what services are near you but in some places they have sleep specialists that can come to you for a few hours or even residential places where you can go for a few days and learn how to teach your baby to sleep for longer, not necessarily with controlled crying either. I'm not in the UK but my sister in law has just been to one with great success. There may also be private services you can access if finances permit. Good luck and I really hope things improve fast.