5 weeks old not sleeping and constantly moving

[adamll]

Hi,

We have got 5 weeks old DD who wont fall asleep during the day. If we are lucky she has 2-3 10-20min naps and sometimes one hoir nap but that is all! We tried everything and always trying to make her sleep after feeds but she just fights it so much with wide open eyes and not settling at all.

She often goes 5-6 hours without sleep during the day.

She is also extremely active and been so in past 3 weeks (same time when problems with sleeping begun. When she js awake and not feeding she constantly moving/shaking her arms, hands legs and wont stop for a second :(

She is also bending her head back so bad even when she is breastfeedig, it is getting to the point where we think formula might be better for her but when we bottle feed her she is bending her head bac as well :(

At night she will only fall asleep if we swaddle her and hold her legs and arms so she wont break out for 3-4 minutes while she cry but then eventually falls asleep. We hate doing this as she is so tiny and it breaks our hearts. Nothing else works, rocking makes her eyes wide opes so does cuddles. We think that she hates everything 😢 and is always in stress and never in relaxed state.

We think that this is definitely not normal but can not get in touch with our HV for past 2 weeks :(

Anyone experienced something like this? Anyone got any advice?

Congratulations on the arrival of your Dd

Mine have grown up now, however I can remember the early days. Especially my eldest that just didn't sleep, either day or night.

At 5 weeks mine were becoming more nosey and active too.

I can't offer any advice on bf I formula fed all of mine.

However my eldest was waking constantly during the night. Please be thankful that you are getting some sleep.

Eventually he did sleep better at night around 6 months.

If you really are concerned please contact your GP.

I found bouncing rhythmically on the birthing ball and shushing in time with it magic for lulling baby off to sleep. You may have hit the 6 week sleep regression. Swaddling is normal, we weren't comfortable with traditional swaddling so bought a swaddle sack with a zip and poppers and this worked a treat.

Try not to stress as they can sense the tension. You have to be persistent with the bouncing and shushing.

You may also find you have to contact nap as baby is in the fourth trimester. Research contact napping and fourth trimester xxx

Why are you worried about using a swaddle?

Swaddle and dummy is the way through this.

Swaddle - recreates the enclosed, secure feeling of in the womb. Reduces stimulation like the muted environment in the womb. Controls the startle reflex to help baby calm and relax.

Look into the Fourth Trimester. You have a significant misunderstanding about life as a newborn if you see a swaddle as anything negative. Reframe this - swaddled are kind, calming and gentle.

The squawking and fighting is due to complete exhaustion and sleep deprivation - not anything your baby has ever experienced in their 9 months in the womb.

In the kindest possible way: stop stressing about it. If she wants to be awake that's fine. You can't win a fight with a baby.

If she's distracted when you're trying to feed her move elsewhere or wait till she's more hungry and harder to distract (might only be 5 mins).

It's normal for babies to want to be held when going to sleep; swaddling gives a similar feeding. Just do what works for your baby (and don't worry if it's not what you expected)

I had this. Two things: one, do everything you can to get her to sleep in the day. Walks, rocking, holding, swaddling. If they get overtired they just can't sleep.

Two: investigate digestive discomfort. Check out a tongue tie, maybe see a lactation consultant or an osteopath.

We were told our DD was putting on weight and not screaming all the time so there couldn't be an issue. Then at four months when the complete non-sleeping was joined by spitting up constantly we finally got an egg and CMPI allergy diagnosis. Breastfeeding was INCREDIBLY helpful both with diagnosing and managing her allergy so I wouldn't be so quick to switch to formula but I would seek advise, and honestly, its worth paying for if you can get the right person.

My baby had all of
This and was diagnosed with silent reflux ! That’s why he didn’t sleep more than 20 minutes and pushed his head back and was generally upset all the time . See your gp