Help, Support, Advice on Sleeping Difficulties with 3 Month Baby. Im DESPERATE!!

Ok, so my answer is going to be a little outside the box, and I am prepared for the onslaught of angry rebuttals... lol My son was the same way (colicky), and I was at my breaking point with the constant breastfeeding, screaming, poor sleeping, projectile spitup, repeat all day and night. My solution- supplement with formula for that last feeding before bedtime. When I did this, he slept through the night more consistenty- by sleeping through the night, he would sleep anywhere from 5-7 hours at a stretch. My husband would give him a bottle around 11 at night (while I slept- hoorah!) and that kept him way more settled through most of the night. Interestingly enough, after I started supplementing with formula, the colic started to get better, especially at night. We found out later that he had multiple food allergies (one of which was NOT dairy)- I would have never figured it out the right combination by watching my diet.
Anyway, it's just a thought. I know what it's like to have a colicky infant who sleeps poorly, breastfeed, and be the primary caregiver. It might be worth a try for your own sanity. If you are against it, then don't try it. I am not pushing it either way- I am just letting you know what worked for me.
Take care.

Hi T.,
Your baby is doing exactly what he needs to be doing. Breastfed babies feed much more often. The breast milk is the perfect food for them. They digest it very easily and quickly. Therefore, they need it more often. Have you considered just bringing your baby into bed with you? I always co-sleep, and we get great sleep that way! When the baby starts to wiggle because he is hungry, neither of you will wake totally up. You just latch him on, and he will nurse until he falls back to sleep. And, you can fall right back to sleep as well! It is a wonderful way for everyone to get more sleep. Keep feeding him as ne needs. Forget the clocks! Follow his cues, and he will let you know what he needs. It's wonderful that you can be with him all day! What a precious gift and privelege that is! And, you can spend that time meeting his specific needs. Babies do need to feed during the night, usually between every 2-4 hours. The fact that you get 5-6 hours is a gift! I find that putting a bed rail on my side of the bed is very helpful. Make sure you get one with no gaps in it, but that covers the entire area from the matress up to about 12 inches or so (however high they are). I put the baby between me and the railing so that my husband doesn't have to worry about rolling on the baby (although sometimes the baby is in the middle and it has never been a problem for us). Enjoy these precious days knowing that they really don't last as long as they feel like they will last. :)
Blessings!

I'm 25 weeks pregnant and just started reading the book; ''The Happiest Baby On The Block'' by Dr. Harvey Karp. Basically it talks about ''The 5 S's'' which are; Swaddling, Side Stomach Position, Shushing, Swinging and Sucking. He explains that many babies experience the fourth trimester which means they would still love to be in the womb that is why they can tend to be fussy, sleep very little and cry incessantly. We have to recreate that womb like environment by doing the above 5 S's I mentioned. It's a very informative book, I highly recommend it! I hope this helps you!

At three months old, YES he needs to eat at night if he is waking to do so!

Have you tried co-sleeping. (Not the answer for everyone, but I found that my babies slept MUCH better when snuggled in my arms.) I have a 3 month old as well and some nights he will sleep 5 hours the first stretch and some it's only 1 or 2! Goes in streaks. And he wakes anywhere from 2 to 5 times a night to breast feed as well.

Your son sounds PERFECTLY NORMAL!

Our little guy seemed kind of "difficult" from about 2 weeks till 2 1/2 months or so. But I left everything else (Dishes, house work, laundry, etc.) and took care of his needs. I know he would have been labeled "colic" if I would not have focused on him and held him for that period of time. But because I tended to him 23+ hours our of the day (had to hold him constantly, including napping and sleeping) he rarely cried....Just didn't seem "content".

The only other suggestion I have is try the chiropractor. Works great for little babies!

Hi, i didn't breastfeed but my sister did, and she fed every two hours. I formula fed and the doctor told me do not wake her up to eat. the same goes with breastfeeding....if they are asleep don't wake them, they will wake up when they want to eat. I think with the breastfeeding or at least with my sister she fed every two hours night and day for the first 6mos, not because she woke them but because they woke her, she was unable to sleep while feeding..but she would let both of hers sleep through feedings...there is a saying...never wake a sleeping baby. if the baby is sleeping and you are full pump and let that baby sleep. co-sleeping or not its best to put the baby in the same place for naps and at night, its harder if he is taking a nap in one place and at night in another. but your bedtime ritual sounds great, bath, eat, bed. he is probably just a hungry baby and is just going to eat every couple of hours. Good Luck. I know its hard, take deep breaths and count to 10 slowly...even if you have to step into the other room while he is crying just take a second regroup and then get him and sooth him and feed him...it takes time but you will get it down.

I have been where you are, my son has a real real real issue with sleeping he does have to be medicated ... I would never say this to anyone to do unless you talk to your DR first, however Melatonin did the trick for us, but really your baby is quite young we did not start this until two closer to three and yes, I went sleepless for that long. The only thing that would get us sleep is when we co slept again personal choice. Good Luck and I wish you good sleep when you get it.

3 months is still very young to expect any long stretches of sleep out of him. Although I am wondering, you didn't mention if he was fussy? When he has a hard time sleeping, is he crying/screaming? I am asking because he may have a bit of reflux which would hurt him while lying down, and really spikes during the nighttime hours.

Hang in there. He's still so young that waking up frequently is to be expected. They go thru growth spurts which causes them to be hungry more often, so that could be the case also.

Just make sure you sleep when he does. Even if it's the middle of the day when you've got 100 things to do. If that baby is napping, take full advantage, drop everything, and head to bed. The chores can always wait.

Good luck!
Lynsey

He is over-tired. Also, this is a wonder period, and his sleep is becoming more adult like. This means that you need to start teaching him how to sleep, so putting him down awake is important. When he starts crying when you put him down, nurse him again, and repeat until he rolls over and puts himself to sleep. Yes, it is time consuming, but after a few days or weeks, he will roll over and go to sleep when you put him in the crib.

As to your sleep deprivation. Start drinking caffeine. Your baby is only 3 months old, you have at least another 3 months before baby will really sleep, and if you are exhausted now, my only suggestion is caffeine. When baby goes down for a nap and you don't have to nurse, drink a cup of tea.
Just wait till 6 months hits if baby still isn't sleeping...you literally start to get loopy.

But seriously, he is in a wonder period. It will pass. You just need to hang in there. You will miss this stage, trust me. They are just so sweet when they are so little. A pain, yes, but they grow so fast, and before you know it he will be shouting NO at you.

One last thing, baby should be going down for a nap every 1.5 hours. So literally 1.5 hours after waking in the morning, he should be down again. I started the nap routine after 1.15 minutes with my son. And then I'd do 1.5 hours after that. Since he is no longer a newborn, you now have to help him go to sleep, and this means really watching the clock and him and making sure you get him in the crib before his "sleep window" passes.

Hi T.,

Have you checked to see if there's a La Leche League in your area?
They are very supportive and could probably help you with this issue.

Good luck! And remember...this too shall pass! ;)

"Grams"
from the Pocono Mts. of PA

When my son did this, I did research on this. During the day, you need to be putting him down for a nap alot. Don't let him be awake for more than 1 1/2 - 2 hours. The more a baby sleeps, the more he sleeps. Just remember that saying. Swaddle every time so that he knows it's nap/bed time. And try to always put him in the same spot to sleep and nap. When I did these very simple things, my son started sleeping 9 -12 hours starting at 2 months within 2 days of this routine. Hope this helps!

I nursed every 2 hours with my kids. Once I switched to formula they slept a lot better. One of my kids didn't sleep through the night until he was 2. Every child is different. The first year is very hard when you are sleep deprived. He needs the food or he wouldn't be waking up to eat. Their little tummies are so small that they digest their food in 2 hours. He might sleep better in a co sleeper next to you? Is he too cold at night? Keep up the great work and best wishes!

Wow. Italy! How lovely.
I'll bet there are a LOT of Italian grandmothers nearby
who would LOVE to hold and cuddle your baby for an hour or two.
And sing to him, as well.

It seems to me you shouldn't try putting baby down in the early evening.
Keep him up until 10:00 or 11:00 then put him to bed after nursing him.
Ideally he'll sleep for 4-5 hours, giving you a chance for some
uninterrupted sleep.

About the every two hours . . . . . it may be a growth spurt,
which happens and then stops . . . until the next growth spurt.

Good luck.