16 week old thrashes arms and legs about every night and cries in cot constantly

[bexyo]

Hi

Hope you can help. For over a week my son has been throwing his arms and legs about and crying as soon as put down in his cot no matter how long he's held before.

If I eventually settle him he will wake himself up anywhere between 30 mins- 1 and a half hours later doing the same thing.

I've left him to cry and wriggle but he doesn't settle and gets worse.

What's causing this and what can I do? I'm getting no sleep and even when I bring him into co sleep this cycle continues.

Swaddle him. All babies do this and it keeps them awake.
He'll settle much better if he's swaddled.

I'd say 16 weeks is too old for swaddling. Could it be the 4 month sleep regression?

Is he ok when he's held upright? Could it be reflux? My little boy used to hate the cold cot sheet so a thin fleece blanket tucked in tight helped him relax and stay still

Sounds like silence reflux. Does he become fussy after feeds?

Silent*

I would also suggest swaddling

Have you tried a Love2dream arms up swaddle? These are suitable until baby can roll.

Otherwise I'm guessing it's silent reflux and baby needs some Gaviscon because if it was just healthy (ie the normal need to be close to my caregiver) baby behaviour co-sleeping would solve it. My little one didn't sleep longer than two hours until 9 months old though so you might also have a poor sleeper as well as silent reflux.

Thanks all! Can't swaddle as starting to roll! Think it may be silent reflux... thanks all

My DS had really bad silent reflux. It thrashed and would hardly sleep either it was tough so I get it. Turns out he was allergic to milk and soya. Its quite common now I think. So the reflux was a symptom of it. Perhaps explore this avenue?