5wk old struggling with sleep

[Kniko]

Hi,

I’m just after some advice or reassurance please… my boy is 5+6 weeks and for the past few days has been struggling to fall and stay asleep. He cries and only settles if I feed him (bf) or sometimes if I keep him upright and walk around. For the past few weeks he’s been grunting and straining for the majority of his awake time. He is pooping fine, he’s not constipated and he is gaining lots of weight (I even fear it’s too much - he is 6kg already). Both GP and HV said that straining is normal baby behaviour as he is learning how to use his muscles etc., but he seems really uncomfortable and it’s keeping him from sleeping. Once he finally falls asleep it’s only for 45 minutes max. Before 5 weeks he was sometimes sleeping for 2 hours but only when held. Is there anything I can do to get him to sleep more? He keeps yawning and I feel really bad that I can’t keep him asleep for longer. I’m also unable to do anything as I’m always holding him. My partner takes him so I can shower but he doesn’t settle when anyone else holds him so it’s usually 5 minutes of me rushing whilst he is crying.

I have tried giving a dummy but he won’t take it, I will keep trying. I know this will pass eventually but the lack of sleep is really getting to me now. Has anyone else experienced this with their baby? Did you find a solution or when did it get easier?

Babies don't sleep predictably. Any book you've read or class you've been to that promised otherwise was blowing smoke up your ass.

You are going to feel more exhausted than you could ever imagine before this is over.

Exhaustion will be your new normal.

He could have reflux, it tends to start about this age and can cause them to be in pain when they are lying flat. Try tilting his bed slightly so is head is slightly higher.

is he often sick after feeds? Sometimes you can hear them grunting if they are in pain from the reflux.

my Ds was like this, turned out he had awful reflux and had to be put on Omeprazole to help with the pain. But he used to scream inconsolably throughout the day and night.