My 7 Week Old Stirs at 4 Am and Never Really Goes Back to Sleep

I had the same problem with my daughter and I found if I would wind up one of her musical toys it would help to sooth her.

I would definetely offer to see if she wants to eat. That may be why she is waking up and would help her go bac to sleep, if that's the issue. Unfortunately, some babies at that age are just awake in the middle of the night. Many moms find it helpful to just go with the flow and be awake with them at night (in a calm, quiet manner) and eventually they get their days and nights straightened out as they grow!

I have a ten week old. He does the same thing. Right about now is when they start to sleep through the night. They will fuss and scoot around but not really wake up. It's them getting used to soothing themselves. Be greatful that you can now get more sleep.

I guess it sounds normal to me for a seven week old baby. Babies that size have very small stomachs and she probably does need to eat again. I think it is unusual for a 7 week old to go longer than two hours without wanting to nurse-- you don't say if your baby is breastfed or fed formula, but either way, it sounds normal to me. I know it can be very hard as an adult to have your sleep disrupted, but this is for a very short period of time.
G. C

Is your baby breastfed? If so I would try feeding her again. If not I think you should call the dr. and see weather she eating enough and often enough because it may be gas or a diaper that needs changed.

Sounds like her stirring at 4 a.m. is more of a bother to you than to her. I would leave her alone unless she becomes fully awake.

Hi J.,

If she doesn't go back to sleep, feed her again. Babies eat, sleep, poop and cry. She'll be fine.

bjw

I have 2 kids myself and my son had his days and nights mixed up. I kind of went through this and i even took him to the doctor about it. He was only about 4 weeks at the time. The doctor said to try and give him a little rice cereal in his bottle before putting him to bed and it should help. Keeps his tummy fuller longer and helps set a schedule as well. I tried it and it did help a lot. Couldnt hurt to try it, good luck!

Hi!
My baby (8 weeks) has been doing the same thing, usually for a few hours before a big AM poop. Once he poops he settles into a much deeper sleep for another couple hours. My baby has food allergies and I assumed his struggles were just because he has a sensative GI track. (He is allergic to all cow's milk protein, and sensative to tomatoes, onions, and peanuts- all of which I had to take out of my diet since I'm breastfeeding). Not sure if that helps- but your situation sounded similar to what my little guy does. Seems like nothing I do really helps until he manages to poop. Maybe feeding would help that to happen sooner? Good luck!

Hi J.!

I'm wondering if she isn't waking that way because of gas. My daughter is 19 months old, but she went through problems with her formula for a couple weeks. We ended up having to switch her to Nutramagin. Anyway, I used to call the doctor all the time about stuff like this. I never hesitated. Did you talk to her pediatrician about this? Baby's cry when they are wet, hungry, gassy, or just need love. So if you rule out wet, hungry, and attention (cause you said you try holding her) then I would think she's uncomfortable from gas. I hope this helps!!!! Good luck!

K. P.
Euclid, OH

I wouldn't unless you are convinced she is really hungry. My kids all starting sleeping through the night at about this age, so she may be just trying to put herself back to sleep if she is not really crying or hungry. Her schedule is still probably a little out of whack and I would suggest the least amount of physical contact as possible.
Obviously, do whatever she needs to be comfortable and safe, but I wouldn't over stimulate her any more than is neccessary.

Just a side note to swings- Please do not let kids stay in the swing after they have fallen asleep. Get her used to being lain back down in her bed. I have been doing childcare for 30 years or so. I see so many babies any more that have the backs of their little heads mishapen from lying in the same position for hours.

Dear J.,
Everyone stretches and grunts in the night, she is probably changing position. Small crys are actually to find out if you're paying attention. My 9-year-old didn't sleep through the night until she was 7! Why? Because I jumped at her every cry, I actually taught her to wake up and stay awake by touching her (swaddling, patting, ect.) and letting her know I was there because she was my first one. Let her be. Unless there is a true cry, she's fine. :)

J., i do not think you are hovering over your child. it's great that you are concerned and want to comfort your little one. my guess is gas. my 7 month old has done that since day one and it is definitely gas. feeding her helps and gentle rocking but every babe is different. as far as sleeping through the night 7 weeks is still pretty young and technically a 5 hour stretch is considered sleeping throught the night for a baby. good luck!

Maybe she has acid reflux. I have a 9 month old who is being treated for that. Does she arch her back when she laying down? Might be something you want to check into. Hope this helps.

As I am not there, I cant be sure what I would do. As you say that she never fully wakes, I would let her be. She will get used to staying in bed and sleeping a little later and a little later every night.

Oh, the swing is a magical thing. We had the kind that would swubg sideways like a cradle. If she wouldn't sleep on me, the cradle would always soothe my girl. She may still be hungry, she is awful young yet and is still setting up a schedule.

Put the baby in her crib in her OWN room and go back to sleep! Get some sleep while you can!! How is she going to learn to sleep through the night by herself if you are hovering and touching her and swaddling and patting her and holding her?

Don't worry, she'll let you know if she's hungry. For sure she only needs to eat once a night. And for sure she can make it more than 2 hours! If you're worried, cluster feed (aka feed a few times right before you put her to bed for the night). Everyone moves in their sleep, even adults--but I guess most of us don't know how much we do because we don't have someone hovering over us all night.

just let her be. Basically she can be moving around to get more comfortable. If you keep moving her she will get used to it and this will become her schedule. All of my children would do this and with the first I would jump up to see what was wrong. But I eventually learned, the hard way-days and nites mixed up- to let them be. Your baby will let you know if they are hungry.