Help..... 6 Week Old Wont Sleep.

S.,

Have you discussed how bad this has gotten with his pediatrician? He may want to consider changing his formula. From what you're describing, it certainly sounds like he has colic.

Does he move his bowels every day, and when he does, it it hard? I know that my son had colic due to the iron in his formula, and it was awful!

Nothing the doctor suggested seemed to work, so I finally listened to my grandmother, who had raised 5 kids of her own. She told me to add a teaspoonful of liquid Phillips Milk of Magnesia to his bedtime bottle every night until I started him on fruits and vegetables, and it straightened him right out. Within three days he was a lot more comfortable throughout the day, and was sleeping normally at night.

His pediatrician wasn't too thrilled, but it did work, when nothing else that he suggested helped. Sometimes I've found that the old-fashioned remedies work much better than all this new stuff that they advocate today.

Hello,
I would think acid reflux. My little guy had it and never slept, until he got on medicine took about 2 weeks for it to really work. He loved to be sleeping in the sitting position since it would comfort the reflux, lying flat only agrivates it. Try to have the baby sleep in infant carrier or swing see if it helps. Also i would call my dr and try some medicine. Once the meds starting working he was able to sleep in crib lying down.
Hopefully this helps and good luck,
J.

Try swaddeling, and if you have a baby swing, use it. My son slept in his popisan )spelling?) until 4 months.

My oldest daughters colic lasted just over nine months - after having my second daughter who slept thru the night beginning at just 3 months. I honestly think it's all in the child, but my heart goes out to you - my husband would walk around like babbling idiots & at the time he had just taken on a p/t job which made it a little harder b/c I didn't want to bother himi. We tried everything w/our oldest daughter & the thing that seemed to have worked best w/our youngest was the swing - she loved that thing - true some will argue that it's not best to rely on swings, carseat, tv, etc to help you w/a child who will not sleep, but we ended up w/our oldest btwn us sometimes b/c that was the only way to sleep - it's very frustrating but this is kinda the initiation to motherhood - w/an almost 11 yr old i can truly tell you there are a lot of things that if you don't know, you're better of asking. My girls are almost 6 yrs apart and I truly felt like I didn't know what I was doing w/baby #2! Keep your chin up.

You didn't mention if you were breastfeeding...

This sounds aLOT like the problem we just resolved with my 10week old.

She was waking up constantly, never seemed satisfied, cried like someone was axe-murdering her aLL the time, and only slept in short bouts.

Now, if you're breastfeeding, let me ask you a few questions...(they might sound odd, but I have a point, promise!)
...Do you have larger breasts? (like C+)
..Do you feel full alll the time, even after he nurses?
...Has he had ANY green poops?
..If so, how often is the poo greenish tinted?
...Do you pump milk as well?
..How much do you pump at a sitting and how often?

Ok...now, if you ARE breastfeeding...here's what may be the issue...
Oversupply! I experienced this with my daughter and thought for sure it was colic. Turns out (and I wish the baby books told you this) if you have an oversupply (be it from pumping too much or a recent growth spurt) your baby could be getting too much foremilk and not enough hindmilk. This essentially creates an induced lactose-intolerance-like system of baby filling themselves up and yet not getting the calories they need, and thus going through their belly contents in a short time and always feeling hungry. This then causes them to take in more milk then they would normally digest, and it ups the amount of lactose in their system to a level they have trouble digesting, and causes the above symptoms.

Now, if you're not breastfeeding, you might try placing him on his belly on top of a slightly deflated beach ball and rolling him around a little, this helps move gas through their bellies and thus makes them more comfortable, but if he's spittin up at every feeding or shortly after, he may be allergic to something in the formula...or you're using too fast a nipple and he's swallowing too much air. When you mix the forula, try making a bunch in advance and letting it sit in the fridge so the air bubbles can work their way out before you feed him.

As for getting sleep, co-sleeping can be scary but it is easily and comfortably done. Get (if you have some money) a velour blanket (those super soft and fuzzy ones) and use it. If you have to heat your bedroom a little warmer with a space heater so you don't need heavy blankets, it might make all the difference for you. Also, some babies are very smell-oriented...as gross as this sounds, you might try taking one of his blankets and rubbing your armpits with it, then putting it in his bassinet. It will smell like you and might confort him into sleeping there. Also, he might do well to sleep on his stomach. I know they say back to sleep, but some babies simply HATE sleeping on their backs, and I hate to say it, but what makes baby comfortable is alot less risky then any medical studies results. If baby can't sleep well, it's a huge toll on his health, and if he will sleep on his tummy and get good rest, it's worth the risk, imo. Plus, for decades babies slept on their stomachs. I would only recommend alot of tummy sleeping though if he can hold his head up well enough to trn it from side to side if he's on his belly. (If not there's actually a risk of suffocation.)

If none of this works, I'd take him to the doctor.
Good luck!

Dear S.,

Have you had the baby checked for colic or reflux. My daughter was fine for the first three weeks and then boom colic. One day she screamed for 19 hours straight I thought I would loose my mind. I am not sure if you are nursing, but if not there is a wonderful formula for sensitive stomachs called Nutramagin (not sure of the spelling she is now 19) but it worked wonders I had a different baby. You cannot spoil a baby at this age so if he is not content, and eating and sleeping something is bothering him. Also try swaddling her, and offering a pacifier it really helps. I didn't want to use a pacifier either but I was so desperate that I did and it helped. After feeding have you tried letting him sit up for a while if it is reflux that will help. I know how desperate you feel I remember literally passing out from exhaustion. I know your husband works hard mine did too, but tomorrow is Saturday insist he gives you a break its his baby too!!

Dear S., I wish I had a good suggestion besides have him stay in bed with you so you can sleep. Even with heavy blankets I think he would be OK. I did it with all of mine. I wonder if he has gas. Is he bringing his legs up? If so I think fennel tea would help. Just boil up fennel seeds in pure water, cool and give in a bottle. I'll pray for you. We all, as mothers have sleepless nights but this is excessive. Grandma Mary

Hi S.,
I have 2 kids so I know what you are feeling. I bet a few Mom's have suggested this but buy a wrap, if your baby does hace collic this will help. Your baby will be upright, close to you, will sleep and you'll have your hands free as well. I do own a baby online boutique and I make/sell them. Feel free to check out my site and ask me questions if you'd like!
www.SugarSweetBaby.com
Use code: Polkadotmom to save 15% off a $20 order ends Dec 1st.

I can totally relate with you!!! I had the same problem with my now 2-yr old daughter. I breast fed about 3-4 times at night. I was completely zombified. I couldn't have or hold a conversation with noone. To make things worse, my other daughter was 11, so I had to be up at 7 and alive when she got home from school for girlscouts, basketball and a church play, she was involved in. My husband was no help as he travels for his job. The advice I can give you is 1)Remember, as with your first, this will only last a little while. Give the baby to your husband when he is home that one day, so you can sleep. Even that one day of rest will be enough power sleep to make it through the week. God equips us mothers with special abilities and plenty of sleep and food intake during pregnancy for energy to deal with this. 2)Buy a co-sleeper or bassinet, they are about $30. It kept my daughter right next to me, so I didn't have to keep on getting up to go get her making it more difficult to fall back to sleep.
3)He could be colicky as well. It sounds as if you need to burp him more if he is spitting up his food like that. Give him a little bit of food at a time, then sit him up or lay him over your legs and gently pat his back to let excess air out. There are ways to relieve colic, but not every method works, ask your doctor. God bless you and your new little baby.

Hi S.....you are totally not alone. We're having the same issue with our 6 week old (born 10/7.) She does not like to sleep in her bassinet whatsoever, only on me or my husband. The only other place she'll get some sleep is in her little vibrating chair. Have you tried putting him in something like that? I know it's not good to get into that habit but it works for us. She does have acid reflux, though, so it helps when she sleeps upright. Maybe your little guy has a bit of that. She spits up after feeding quite often and is a light sleeper. As soon as we put her down she wakes up crying, looking for us. And if we pick her up, she's fine and will go right back to sleep. I think she likes to sleep on us for the feeling of security. We've been trying to get her to go into the bassinet more now but she'll only last an hour, two at the most. Just be patient with him and if lying on you is what makes him happy, it's ok. You're not alone and I know EXACTLY what you're going through. You may not be getting any sleep now but it will get better.

Hi S.
Congrats on new baby!! What a blessing!!
It is my humble opinion that:
a 6 week old baby cannot be spoiled or in the habit of anything.
a 6 week old baby can be uncomfortable and therefore crying to let you know they are uncomfortable, crying is after all their only means of communication
a 6 week old baby needs help if they are crying
a 6 week old baby can be hungry
a 6 week old baby needs medical attention if you are at your wits end as to what to do.
You are your baby's voice to the MD. The MD cannot ask your baby what is wrong, so you must be the detective, and you must keep asking til MD takes you seriously. If anything I found out in my many years of parenting, if you think something is drastically wrong and you act like it is normal, MD will react as if it is normal if on the other hand you react as if it is drastic, abnormal, off the charts; they will react accordingly.
I remember a time when every MD was saying son was fine, being treated etc, and I said "I do not think this is what they meant" so took him to ER instead of waiting til office hours as was my norm. It got MD's attention all right. Sent to hospital, specialist saw him and we were told if I had not taken him then, he would have been blind in 24 hours. OK everything is not that dramatic, but I didn't know but knew things were not going like I thought they should. I needed help and was not being taken seriously. I made them take notice by my reaction.
Babies can have colic. It is treatable. New babies can need mom, and are dependent and the more nervous and upset you get the more upset they get therefore the less they digest well.
Call the MD, when they say it is normal, say when does this become abnormal. If he says "3 days" say ok we are at day 5 or whatever it is. The knowledge and answers you get from MD will help to relax you, which will help MD.
Don't be afraid to call MD back again and again.
God bless you and give you peace. Remember all emotions are good emotions used properly. Emotions are meant to make you act.
Since I am old enough to be your mom, talk to her or a substitute mom and hear their stories. If nothing more you will gain a friend. Write me and we can visit if you have time.
K. SAHM married 38 years -- adult children 37 coach, 32 lawyer married with 3 month old, and twins 18 and now in college after homeschooling. One majoring in art and the other in journalism.

First off congratulations! My son was born a day earlier than yours, so I know what your going through. We had the same issues, and went thru several formulas and meds ( coliccalm, mylecon drops) until finallly I took him to see a pediatric gastro, and was diagnosed with acid reflux. At this age they still don't know how to manipulate us, so I doubt your son is spoiled, to me it sounds like he has some digestive problems. Babies who have gerd or acid relfux like to be upright bc the acid burns their little throats (my son does) and when they lay down on their backs they r uncomfortable. My son was put on Zantac 3times a day, and although it hasn't "cured" him (its been 3 full days since he's been on) he def sleeps much better and so do I. I would talk to your pediatrician, I doubt at this age he is forming bad habits he's too young. I'm sorry your going through this I know exactly how you feel as I was sleep deprived also and have 2 older children that so desperatly need my attention its hard but it will get better. Motherhood is amazing and I love every moment of it. Good luck!

I feel your pain...I went through it with my daughter. She was eventually diagnosed with reflux and was treated with Prilosec (the ONLY medicine that made a difference. My pediatricians never seemed to be concerned either. Go with your gut. Ask your pediatrician about reflux...request a referral to a pediatric gastroenterologist. For me, they were the ones who eventually gave me the medicine that gave my daughter some relief. In the meantime, consider a hypoallergenic formula (if not breastfeeding) like nutramagin. Hold your infant up for at least 15-30 minutes after feedings. Try holding your baby in front of the dryer to stop the crying. We used to put her in her car seat and leave her on the laundry room floor with the dryer on so she could sleep. Car rides were another time she would sleep for over 1/2 hour. Good luck.

hi S. i have 3 children my 2nd child who is now 2 1/2 yrs had reflux colic whatever u want to call it now adays it seems like every newborn has it!!! it started about 6wks old i tried several formulas the best one that worked beautifully is similac alimentum very expensive but he was on it til about 8mths old and also on zantac for a bit he also slep upright in his seat or swing all my kids did well in their swing I would talk w ur md about changing formulas and maybe some meds if it could be reflux hang in there i know how tough it is but i would take some time to sleep tomorrow if your husband is home and let him take over tonight too so u get some rest

good luck

We had very similar issues, and it continued until she was like 3 months old, when finally I asked the doctor start her on prevacid for possible reflux. It was a painful cry, and I felt like I could smell acid on her breath. The doctor kept saying it's colic, you just have to live it out. Well, 3 days after she started prevacid, she was a different child, and has been every since - started sleeping MUCH better, and no more of that painful crying. Reflux is very painful for babies, I strongly suggest you ask your doctor about it. They'll tell you to keep her elevated, which did nothing for my daughter, and they'll usually put them on Zantac, which in every forum I've been to the majority of the moms said it didn't help, besides the fact that it is mint flavored. Good luck, and please do some research and ask your doctor about this. My baby cried like 22 out of every 24 hours, a painful cry, it was truly traumatic, and like you, I was a walking zombie.

Try letting him sleep in his carseat upright. He may have
reflux.

I was beginning to wonder if my second son was colicy because he was gassy and hard to get out and then he would cry hard and so forth and then I gave him malicon and it got the gas out and I only had to do it two times and the second time I was like, no wonder you cried so hard1!! How can a little body like that hold that much gas?! If you're breastfeeding, make sure you cut out all gassy foods from your diets and that includes broccoli because they are gassy and also, they say onion sour breastmilk and with my second son, he didn't mind onions , but my third son did and wouldn't nurse if I ate onions. Also, my sons did not care for the pacifier and m;y third took it maybe two months after done nursing nd litle bit at the hospitals and spit out and. They didn't care for it. You can try eliminating foods from your diet and/or try the malicon. But as most of us mothers know, most pediatricians are not well liked. If your son is screaming all the time and you have done thins and nothing works, then something is wrong and you put your foot down at the dr's (since you're your baby's advocate, support) and say, look this child is crying nonstop and I can't get him to stop and I am drived of sleep and this child must be tired and can't sleep. Something needs to be done. Let us know how it goes and I'll be prayng for you and your child and that Jesus will give you His Wisdom if you ask Him.

Unfortunatlely, most kids are like that until week 8. If your almost 5 year old wasn't like that, you were just lucky!! I remember those nights with my daughter thinking "oh, we made a huge mistake... we have to give her back!" I called the doctor thinking there must be something wrong. She said "wait until the 8th week, you'll see it will be better." And it was! Finally, I could put my daughter down in her crib without her screaming for a half hour. She still didn't sleep through the night (that came at week 10), but at least I could put her down without a huge screaming fight!

Try to give it another week or two - I think things should get better by then. As much as I love babies, I wish we could all skip those first few sleepless weeks!!! Of course, if you think something is medically wrong, trust your instincts and bring him to the doctor...

S. --

Our only child is now 9 years old so it's been a long time since I went through what you did, but oh do I feel your pain. Our daugher had colic, which hit at 3 weeks and went away as quickly as it came at 14 weeks. Based on your description that he spits up after eating and he wants to be held upright, it sounds as if your son might have reflux. While it's not a life-threatening condition, it's very painful and naturally your little one can't sleep and wants the comfort of Mommy's arms. I can't believe your pediatrician simply dismissed those symptoms as normal. I'd switch to another doctor.

My advice for easing your baby's symptoms: a tiny bit of Maalox after a meal and keep him upright for at least a half-hour afterward to help with the reflux while you search for another doctor. I'm sure your friends with kids can give you all sorts of recommendations on that end.

As for your home situation, it's very hard when you don't have family nearby so you're going to have to devise a support network from friends and others, including your husband. While I understand your desire not to expect much from him in the way of childcare because of his job, these are his children too and he needs to step up to the plate and help, even if it's simply to take the kids to the park or anywhere outside the house so you can get some sleep. The excuse that he works long hours at a very physical job is just that: an excuse. You're not exactly lounging poolside sipping margaritas all day while he's working.

Is there any way your friends with kids can arrange to leave them with someone so they don't add to the chaos by bringing them to your house? Do you have any childless friends who can pitch in?

If you're absolutely desperate, there's a service named Momma's Little Helpers who provide help for moms who are overwhelmed. They'll go grocery shopping for you, straighten up your house, mind the baby while you nap, even help older kids with their homework. Basically they offer whatever help they can to make your life a little less stressful. They're not cheap but even one a week or every couple of weeks will help ease some of the burden. There's no shame in asking for help.

Finally, after having gone through the most hellish three months with our daughter, I can tell you that it will eventually get better and your son's discomfort will have no lasting effects on him. Our daughter is a happy, easygoing straight-A student who's had perfect attendance in school for 2 1/2 years. Good luck to you and let us know how things work out.

Wishing you peace and some sleep.

hi S.;

i hope i'm not beign repetitive but here are the things i would try, having a 3.5 yr old and a 21 mo old.

first of all; if you are bottle feeding and not nursing, try some different bottles. the fast flow of many bottles often gives the babies a tummy ache; they may get air in the belly and stop eating so you think they are full, but really they are then just gassy and still hungry. so try a Dr. Brown's newborn bottlle, the 2 oz size and go very slow w the feeding.

also try switching formula. he might be bothered by what you're using.

if you are nursing, google La Leche League Int. and click on 'resources' for your area meeting and chapter leader; call this person right away, thier number will be on the web page. there are a variety of nursing issues that could be going on.

next; this certainly could be colic. if so, you might just have to hang tough till about 3 months, when most colic starts to resolve. i have heard of babies who will cry NO MATTER WHAT all through the middle of the night, so what you're experiencing is within the range of normal for a colicky baby. try getting a sling or Bjorn or a Baby Hawk Mei-tai baby-wearing item; you may just have to tie this baby to your body and keep him there. some of them are like that.

slings and Mei-tais can be found also by checking in with your local La LEche League or just google 'baby slings' or 'mei-tai baby wrap' or 'baby wrap'. lots of stuff will come up. you might need to call the person who makes or sells what appeals to you for instructions on how to use it or ask someone at La Leche.

now speaking of La Leche again, i don't mean to harp on this, but they really are a FREE RESOURCE that has all the up to date info and want to HELP you no matter what, even if you are not nursing; you could certainly call them and say, "Look Im not nursing but i need this other help, what should i do," and they will help you.

i say this because i wonder if your baby might have TOUNG TIE. my son did and his nursing was a disaster for several days at the beginning and he kept losing weight and we were freaked; he also did not sleep. when i had a Lactaction Consultant come to my home she took one look at his mouth and saw the problem; with toung tie the baby's toung is too short for him to eat properly. often times they need a tiny cut to the muscle under the toung; but only someone with a trained eye would know what to look for; many OBGYNS and even peds don't know what to look for. anyway you might get this checked out.

also; it is really safe and fine to sleep the baby in bed with you as long as you do it mindfully and follow some guidlines for safe co-sleeping. try the Dr. Jay Gordon website and look up 'family bed.' at 6 weeks old there are NO HABITS, the babies are not wired that way yet. right now you need to do whatever it takes to get you and the baby more sleep. you might get a molded sleeper, this thing you can put in your bed to keep the baby on his side or back but it''s next to you so maybe he would tolerate that.

another thing to consider is swaddling and side sleeping; neither of my kids would sleep on thier backs so i swaddled them and propped them on thier sides in thier co sleepers next to my bed, using rolled up blankets to stabilize them. you can google 'swaddling' to learn how, or try the Kellymom.com website. your baby might be a little big for it at this point but you could do it just a tad looser, he might like it.

so here are the sites to check

Dr Jay Gordon
Kellymom.com
La Leche League Intl.

and also you can try Dr. Sears and there's always good old Dr. Spock's Baby and Childcare, which is a book we come back to again and again.

lastly i would say consider buying a rocker or glider chair for yourself with a good footstool and see if you can sleep in it holding the baby, especially if you get a sling or a Bjorn or mei-tie where he will be secure.

lots of love and hang in there, one way or another this WILL improve.
J.

Hello S. K:
Sorry this response is coming almost a week later. Tuck him in gently, and try placing one of your pieces of clothing that has your scent with him in his bassinet, so that when if he wakes up and 'smells you' so to speak, he will settle and sleep through. Hope this helps.

If you are nursing, borrow or rent a pump if you don't have one and give her SOY formula. You will notice a change within a DAY if it is lactose issues

Try putting him in his car seat. My son had reflux and after I got him to sleep I would put him in his car seat inside his crib. He would sleep for a couple of hours and then want to eat but would go back to sleep and I could put him back in the seat. Sometimes I would drive him around in the car until he fell asleep, then bring him in the house and put the seat in the crib. If you do not have an infant car seat try a bouncy seat. It seems he wants to be more upright. As my son outgrew his seat quickly I put blankets under his mattress on one side to elevate that side for him so he would be more upright with out the use of a seat. That worked too. I also used Gripe Water with him and it worked wonders!! You can find that in most grocery stores now and online. I refused to put him on prescription meds for it. The first time I used to Gripe water he relaxed and fell asleep. You could see the change instantly. When you need a break just put him down and let him cry for a little while. there is nothing wrong with just walking away to breathe for a few moments.

Have you spoken to the pediatrician to make sure there isn't something he wants to look into? Have you tried those baby gliders that keep rocking them...not a swing but like mommy's motion?

L.

I agree with diane. To me it sound as though there is some health problem going on. It is most likely colic, food allergy, or what I really think it is... REFLUX. My daughter had reflux and issues with milk and cried a lot until I figured out what was wrong. I would go to your doctor and let him know your sons symptoms. Relfux medicine makes a world of difference. It could also be an ear infection because ears hurt more when a child lays down. I would see a ped right away.
If it makes you feel any better I did co sleep with my daughter last winter because of sleeping problems. I just kept her at the head of the bed so that the covers wouldnt be on her.

I'd say hang in there it should start to subside in about 2 weeks.

Poor you - it really is horrible to feel that tired.
You need to get a night's sleep. Get your husband to do the overnight one time when he has a day off the next day. You are being a good wife trying to let him sleep as he has to work, but he needs to help you out too as there is only so long you can go without sleep.
One night of bad sleep with not hurt your husband and you will feel so much better.
Also you do need to try putting the baby down when you want him to sleep even if he cries at first. If you get into the habit that he will only sleep in your arms, you will never get decent rest and it will be a harder habit to break the longer it goes on for.
Obviously you need to have him checked out for reflux or other health problems as the other moms have said.
If he is well, have you tried letting him cry it out for a while? I know he seems young for controlled crying, but you are obviously in a desperate state. One time with my younger child she was acting just as you are describing, not settling, crying and wanting to be held even though not hungry any more. She was 12 days old and I was beyond exhausted. I put her in her crib and she screamed but I just left her as I was too tired to pick her up again. She screamed for at most 5 minutes, then went to sleep and slept for 5 hours (which was the most sleep I had had since she was born). They do need to learn to put themselves to sleep and if you always lift them then they don't learn it.
I hope you get some good sleep soon

This sounds like reflux (GERD) to me. (My doctor told me that most colic is actually this!) My three week old son started showing this same behavior, and his crying/screaming was just absolutely heartbreaking. He also had to be sitting up in order to calm down. It turned out to be reflux, and our doc started him on Zantac.

I was horrified to be putting such strong medicine in my new baby, but I have to tell you- it was amazing! While he continued spitting up for another 7 months, the horrible pain was gone in a matter of days. (Nothing will stop the spitting up, because it's just a valve that's not mature yet. But the medicine helps neutralize the acid, which is burning his little esophagus!)

Spitting up a little is normal, but terrible pain is not. Your son is hurting, and if your doctor won't help you- find a new doctor!

Have you tried a sling or a pouch? How about swaddling? My son was fussy fussy fussy for the first four months. We swaddled him any time he slept and during the day I carried him in a pouch next to me, which calmed him down some of the time and it let's you be relatively hands free, so you could hang a little easier with your 5 year old, too. Not that I buy into all the hype about "baby wearing," but anything is worth a try to gain sleep.

Here's a site I have ordered stuff from that has worked:

http://www.kangarookorner.com/

I know your pain and frustration. Please see the pediatrician asap. My suspicion is GERD. My middle child screamed for his 1st month of life. He hated my breastmilk and he spit up constantly and he would only sleep in a swing. He was on zantac from 1 - 10 months old. He drank formula with rice cereal + the zantac and was much much better.

In the meantime, try allowing him to sleep upright. If it is GERD it hurts most when you lie down. Let him sleep in his carseat or a bouncy chair or a swing. make sure he is secured by a safety belt or strap. When my youngest was sick (pertussis) he slept in his carseat in between my husband and me in bed. It was safe and when he woke up I rocked him in the seat.

Good luck. I know it's hard.

Have you spoken to your doctor about the possibilty of reflux. My son who is almost 7 months now was colicky and had reflux. If he is more comfortable sitting up reflux may be the reason for the short sleeping spats and the inconsolable screaming. That's exactly what I went thru with my son. We had a few formula changes some zantac and when we found the right formula he was like a different baby. We also realized that he is a stomach sleeper. He would NOT sleep on his back. (I can't either!) He's been on his belly since he was about 8 weeks. We tried sleep positioners, on his side, nothing really worked well. My doc said it was alright since he literally would not sleep on his back, at all. I realized it one day when I put him down for belly time and he fell asleep and napped for 2 hours! They don't necessarily have to spit up frequently for them to have reflux either. My daughter had reflux too but never spit up. Her's just traveled up and burned her esophagus. Give your doc a call and see what he thinks and just remember, even though it seems hard right now it won't last forever like this! Good luck!

S.,
There are things you can do to co-sleep that won't endanger him *(unless you sleep more wildly than I do and range over the entire bed in the course of the night).

One trick I do is to take his bedsheet and put it over my pillow for a couple of days. You could also just have it under your bedsheet, too, to pick up your scent.

I hope you can find respite soon - maybe a friend would come without their children if you asked? Just for an hour or so, so that you can at least get SOME thing in the way of rest. It is amazing what friends will do if only asked.

I just read your update - I'm glad you found out it was reflux and not colic.

Good luck! and Congratulations!
M.

Oh, you poor thing! My son also didn't sleep for long stretches-it was tough. He would nurse for 45-60 minutes and then want to nurse again 15 minutes later!!

Have you tried carrying him in a sling? This is really soothing to babies. In cultures where mothers wear their babies, they rarely fuss or cry. Also, your hands are more free to get stuff done around the house or sit and take a nap! You could also try offering him the breast. This a great comfort to babies even when they aren't hungry for food. If he's in the sling, you can even learn to nurse him in there.

Best of luck to you!!

I would definetly swaddle your baby. He may seem that he doesn't like it at first but it's good for him. My baby was swaddled until she was 4 months old at which time she basically told us that she outgrew it. Swaddle away!!!

This sounds like colic to me. This is the age when it starts. Try switching his formula, if you're not nursing, to a hypoallergenic one like Alimentum (expensive but if your Dr. will give you a note most insurance companies will cover it) also try Dr. Brown's bottles. They really helped my colic son. Also they only way my son would sleep was in his car seat. Strap him in and put the whole seat right in the crib. It sounds crazy but it works. I hope this helps and you get some sleep.