3 week old doesn't sleep

[amiikaley]

Hi

My little boy is three weeks old, and I've the last couple of nights he's been a bit of a pain. Before he was pretty good (well for a 3 week old) he's been having his 7-8 o'clock feed but then not going back to sleep till almost 2am he has feeds in-between and maybe a 5 minute nap. Both me and my husband have rocked him to sleep and put him in his Moses basket, but within 5 minutes he's awake again. We've also tried rocking the Moses basket with him in it straight after a feed. We've tried with a dummy without a dummy. Nothing seems to work! Has anyone got any ideas? Or am I just asking for too much as he's only 3 weeks? Please help before we both go mad!!!

Have you tried swaddling? You can try warming the Moses basket first with a hot water bottle, and lining it with something you've worn so it smells like you. But easiest solution is cosleeping; he probably wants to be close to you. If he's breastfed he might just be on a cluster feeding rampage.

If he is having a feed at 7-8pm and then not going to sleep until 2am, what is happening in between? Babies at 3 weeks old need feeding 3 to 4 hourly so will definitely need another feed (or 2) during thIs time. He is probably hungry!

Google the 4th trimester. that may help. Also if hes in pain try infacol or gripe water.

He could well be cluster feeding between 6pm to 9pm say? Is he breastfed ? Bottle?

My DD clusterfed for 4 hours at that age until she was about 2 months.

I would just stay on the sofa and breastfeed her until she was starting to get sleepy which was about 9.30pm. She would then have another feed at 11pm. A few hours later - another feed.

Try feeding and cuddles in a quiet room. Also distinguish day from night - curtains open in morning etc.. I'm sure you're already doing this !

I can highly recommend swaddling. I used muslin wraps rather than gro bags.
White noise - fan? Or get a white noise machine.

He is having feeds between them times but doesn't wanna sleep after his feed like normal. He goes 3-31/2 hours sometimes during the day (been told no longer then 4 hours) between feeds but seems to want more at night and doesn't want to sleep. Should I maybe feed him more during the day? Also what about feeding him a little less during the day then upping him at bedtime? Seem to get into a routine then he changes it. Also I'm guessing because he's awake either me or my husband have to be even though he can be happy just in his Moses basket? Thanks for all the suggestions

Formula or breastfed?

At that age my DD who is breastfed was feeding at these times:

5am
8am
11am
2pm
5pm##cluster feeding happened between 6pm and 8pm##
8pm
11pm
2am

She would go to bed around 6.30pm and if she didn't wake for her 8pm I would gently wake her. I would then pump at 8.30pm so Hubby could do the 11pm and sometimes 2am feed and I could get some sleep.

It was bloody hard work!! But we got into a rhythm. She reduced to 3 hourly around 2 months but kept the same bedtime or near enough - 7pm.

They do switch things up! I say to expect the unexpected with babies! At 4 months DD wanted to go to bed at 5.30!! That lasted a month and at 12 months she usually!! sleeps 8.30pm to 8.30am... still with a couple of short wake ups but quite good.

It gets easier!! Trust me. Hang in there. And it's so worth it!! Just wait for the smiles you will get xxxxx

He's formula fed.
I can't even tell you the times as he still different ever night.

Thanks for all the advice.
Can't wait for smiles.

My little boy is 3 weeks today he has evening where he is really unsettled between 6pm and 11pm where he won't sleep and is very fidgety and seems to want to eat more! I think it's quite common though. I just try and remember nothing lasts for too long in the baby stage!