Why won't my newborn sleep??

[justanothermanicmonday1]

I have an almost 7 week old baby, and this past week it's been really really difficult. She has barely slept and will only do so on either me or DP. As soon as we pop her in her moses basket she's wide awake.

She also thrash's her arms and legs and becomes hysterical.

She already is a colicky/reflux baby and is on gaviscon for that and is also having regular bowl movements.

You'd think I'd know the answer the to this considering I have an 18 month old. Is it a leap? Is it just her age and the fact she's a newborn and trying to adapt?

Someone reassure me that I'm not the worst parent in the world as I feel like I'm totally neglecting myself & our toddler. Not only that but we're also in a 1 bedroom house waiting for our new home to be finished built. FYI this should have been finished last year. Meant to move in this Friday and it's been pushed back again. So we're all exhausted & fed up and living on top of each other!!

I’m well past this now … but remember it well
and had a terrible sleeping baby until 13 months … I wish I’d realised sooner and gave into co-sleeping earlier as it’s all she wanted, slept like a dream when close to me and we all got some rest !

I wish I could co sleep however with us being in a 1 bedroom right now its impossible as our toddler is teething & is taking up 90% of the bed 😂

Oh that’s tough for you then :( is there anyway you could buy a temporary bed/mattress and squeeze it so hubby and toddler could sleep and you co-sleep with baby ? Not ideal
but not forever :) In your new house get a massive super king bed !! Honestly I had kids sleeping in mine for years and it was the best solution we all
had space and slept 😊

At 7 weeks this could just be the baby trying to adapt to being in the outside world, it makes sense they want to be sleeping on you because that's what makes sense to them. It'll pass, as I guess it must have done with your 18 month old, but these early days are tough! Especially if the poor wee thing is struggling with reflux too :(

Is there any chance of co -sleeping? Do they nap during the day so you can catch up on sleep then?

You're doing a great job, and hope your house is finished soon- these new builds take the piss with dates, as if their customers don't have lives that need juggled whenever they postpone again!

My toddler is at nursery 3 days a week which is great. It means we can catch up on sleep and my partners job is flexible so it means he's around to do the nursery runs and take over if I need sleep. Which is great.

I remember this stage with my toddler. She was the same now thinking back. I remember actually me and DP taking turns in the night with her sleeping on us for ours. You block it out somehow 😂

Co sleeping isn't an option right now as DD has been clinging In beside us due to teething so she takes up all the bed! I wouldn't feel safe.

Hopefully tomorrow we find out our move in date. Hoping it's in the next two weeks as we're almost ready to go 😢 x

Hours*

My baby was very similar so I just gave in to the co-sleeping & contact napping. One day he just seemed to sleep more independently in the bed (didn't need physically cuddling) so I tried him in the next2me & he was fine! He was also then no problem whatsover moving into his own room at 6 months and actually sleeps a lot better in there! He'll be put down for naps now too but sometimes I still just snuggle on the sofa with him as I love it.

Granted, all of this would be a lot harder with a toddler too! Have you tried a sling for contact naps while still keeping yourself mobile / hands free for the toddler? Agree with PP too, if at all possible to find a temporary solution to be able to co sleep?

Know that there is light at the end of the tunnel and fingers crossed the new house is finished soon xx

She loved the sling until this past week😢 it was an absolute life saver as well. I'm going to keep trying with that and hopefully that will save us a little. She has literally just fell asleep now after barely sleeping all day and night. I feel helpless but I know it will pass. It's just a phase!

We do love a contact nap but it's hard on toddlers days off. I'll just persist with the wrap or I'll try her in her pram! Plenty of walks! X

My son had reflux and was exactly the same. The gaviscon did nothing and once we had him on losec , we could finally put him down without him screaming. I'd go back to your doctor and ask for something else

> arms flailing

Swaddle

Ah sorry I didn't see you reply about the cosleep question before I asked! One of our friends found their baby really disliked the moses basket and would rather sleep anywhere else, which was so strange! Could you try another bed set up, like a N2M?

In Scotland, we had baby boxes which was my wee guy's favourite sleep location in the early days - a bit of a slap in the face considering we had bought him a crib and a n2m 😂

Fingers crossed the moving date is soon, and your toddler is enjoying all the mum cuddles and embracing being an older sibling :)

I’m at a similar stage to you and we had the same problem until a few weeks ago... I started placing a warm hot water bottle where he would be sleeping to warm up his spot and taking it out just before putting him down. Now he doesn’t startle awake and just carries on sleeping! I hope you find something that works for you so you can get some rest!

My daughters had reflux and I also found gaviscon ineffective. As they take a larger volume of milk the problem increases and can be worse lying down flat. I second a visit to the GP.

Thanks everyone for your advice. We where out all day in the pram and she was fine. She was that exhausted from little sleep, so fresh air and constant movement helped.

I think some of you are right regarding the reflux. I don't think gaviscon is doing much. Making a trip to the GP tomorrow. So thanks for bringing this to my attention.

I tried the sling again tonight and she's sound asleep! Phew!

You're not the worst mum!! You're the best as you're the safest happiest place for your baby to sleep! ❤️❤️❤️

Ps assuming you've already tried swaddling?

Hi. Def swaddle. Most babies like the snug feeling and esp those with reflux

Gaviscon only works on mild reflux so get the doc to prescribe some omeprazole which will help

Pace feeding , winding well ans over shoulder for 30m really help as well

I'm a maternity nurse and my last baby had severe reflux

Thank you. I'm making an appointment tomorrow to see the doctor! X

Thank you so much ❤️

Just thought I'd give you an update.

She has been prescribed Omeprozol, hopefully that works better than the gaviscon! Fingers crossed 🤞

Great.

Usually helps. Might take a week or so to get into system but most babies I've had with reflux this helps

It's weight based so as gains dose may need to go up

@Blondeshavemorefun the GP did advise this about the dosage. She is a little chunky thing so I am expecting her to maybe need more. Thanks for the heads up though! X