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Sleep

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18 week old not sleeping

2 replies

Coffeelover2021 · 19/03/2021 07:17

Hi, for about 5 weeks now my LB has gone to bed around 6-7pm and sleeps for 2-3 hours then wakes up every hour-2 after that we get up around 5.30/6 every morning. He is breastfed to sleep and hates being out of my arms, last night it took me 3 hours to get him to sleep and in the cot to then wake after an hour. I’ve noticed when we go to get dressed for bed every night he starts to cry a lot (it’s like he knows he’s going to bed and doesn’t want to). He naps in the day either in the pushchair/on me/can go in next to me for upto an hour 3-4 times a day. From being a newborn he’s never slept well and has only ever done 2-3 hours and a couple of times done 4-5 hours. Is there something I could do to help his routine to get him to sleep longer? Is this a sleep regression? Lots of people keep saying he needs food/bottles to make him fuller. I can’t bare the thought of cry it out Method either as I think he’s to young and he’s a clingy baby so wouldn’t work. He’s such a happy baby and is gaining weight/engaging so not to worried but I hope he sleeps soon as I’m worried he’s not getting enough sleep for himself let alone me. Thanks for any advice.

OP posts:
Aria2015 · 19/03/2021 07:30

It does sound like a sleep regression I'm afraid. He sounds like he could be reliant on cuddles and boob for sleep and so unable to self soothe and by self soothe I just mean be able to put himself back off to sleep when he wakes without looking for help. Don't listen to people who say he needs solids, your milk will be be plenty.

Does he have a dummy? That can sometimes help with self soothing. There are lots of methods out there for helping babies learn to self soothe that don't involve cry it out, gentler methods, I'm sure some other people will be along to recommend some but I'm sure there's loads online about them.

I'd maybe try and see if you can transition him from napping on you / pushchair to where he sleeps at night. I have read that keeping sleep consistent helps. I started to put mine down for naps in my room (where they sleep at night) from around 3 months, under the same conditions as night (dark room, white noise). Good luck!

BunnyRuddington · 19/03/2021 13:03

Does he sleep if you put him into bed with you? It was the only way we got any decent sleep Smile

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