Sleeping Problem???

Have you tried puttin him in a sling and keeping him close to you? Some babies want nothing to do with sleeping by themselves at such a young age. I personally think those are the smart ones!

I second reading "Happiest Baby." It was a godsend with my first baby.

When you say you've "tried everything," what does that mean? There are lots of things to try!! Do you swaddle? Use a swing? Are you breastfeeding?

Another good book to understand sleep is "The No Cry Sleep Solution" by Elizabeth Pantley.

Try reading "Happiest Baby on the Block" by Dr. Harvey Karp.

Try swaddling with a swaddle blanket (that has the velcro tabs so he can't kick it off). It sounds mean, but some babies are soothed by being 'bundled up' as if they are back in the uterus.

Try a swing. We had a Graco swing that had white noise to simulate the 'shhhh shhhh shhh' sound heard in utero. It worked wonders.

Chances are your baby boy may only sleep a few hours at a time, so don't expect a run of 8 hours just yet.

You could also try to implement some routines, starting with a night time/bedtime routine. Do the same thing every time you put him to bed (bath, massage, diaper, pajamas, swaddle, play the same cd, read a good night book, turn out lights, give bottle, burp, rock, put in crib). Babies and children are often soothed by routines and knowing what to expect. Teach them that when the 'bedtime train' starts it will be time to sleep. Mentally they begin to understand that once this series of events begins, it is time to 'wind down' and prepare for bed. Don't expect this to happen overnight - it will likely take a while, but get him into the habit of a consistent routine.

Our baby was colicky and screamed his full head off the first 3 months of his life. It was hell. We used many soothing techniques and consistent routines and he at least got good sleep back then (started sleeping through the night 9-6 at 7 weeks and now sleeps 6:30pm - 7am). Now, he sleeps and naps like an angel.

Do you think he has gas? A lot of times fussiness can come from that. Are you breastfeeding or bottle? My son was a very fussy baby. I breastfed for awhile and then switched to formula. "Nutramigen" by Enfamil worked wonders and gave him rest but was very expensive. He was on that for a few months and then we switched him to "Gentlease" by Enfamil which was the same price as regular formula but gentle on the tummy. If you think it's gas you can give him the proper dosage of "Mylicon" gas drops. Those are safe and work too. Important question: Does he sleep through the night already? That may also be keeping him awake during the day. But sounds that since you say he's fussy it may be something with his tummy. Ask your Dr. for sure and hang in there! I KNOW how it is. My son just started sleeping through the night at 11 months. Never thought I'd live to see the day. Blessings!

Is he getting enough food? Are you breastfeeding? Sometimes they are just so hungry. I would try all the things everyone else has said... you can try gas drops mylecon (sp) you can give him a dropper full. That worked for my son. My son doesn't sleep during the day unless we are holding him... so i know where you are coming from it gets exhausting a lot! Hang in there. Enjoy your little bundle of joy right now because they grow up WAY TOO FAST!!! Good luck!

Is he hungry? My little guy was not a very good sleeper until about 1, so some babies just keep thier own sleep schedule. But, at 5 weeks...I think that he should be sleeping a lot more. Perhaps try a bottle?

At 5 weeks sleeping should be about all he is doing. I would suggest calling your doctor.

My son was the same way. Exhaustion leads to crankiness, and the tireder they get the harder it is for them to get to sleep. Read up on sleep and do whatever you can to get his sleep hours per day up. I agree with the recommendations for swaddling, using a sling, etc., for naps.

Is he sleeping through the night? What have you tried to do to get your son to sleep. I have three and all of them at the newborn stage had different things that helped them go to sleep. One liked the swing, one liked laying on my chest and the other liked for me to put him in his carseat.

M.

Have you tried putting him to sleep in his car seat? Something about the "confinement" that the car seat provides often help. My trio would sleep like little lambs in their snugrides.

I hear you! My son was the same way....I would get him to sleep in the car, but my daughter is the exact opposite, she hates the car and sleeps all the time at home, so for the last 10 weeks of her life I have been stuck at home with her. I would try and swaddle him with his arms also in the swaddle so he isn't able to alarm himself with his own hands and arms. Is he fussy because he has gas? Good luck, it seems like it last forever, but before you know it, he will grow out of this stage and be walking and talking in no time! Try and enjoy him, even when he is fussing up a storm!! LOL

I say this with a giant hug but as far s I am told it is normal, NONE of mysisters children were "sleepers" They would stay up for hours (sometimes12 hours at a time)

My daughter didn't sleep either during the day. No one believed me when I said that, from sun up to sun down, she did not nap. Literally, though, she would wake up at 6 a.m. and not take another nap until 6 p.m. Plus, she wanted to be held that entire time she was awake. But, she is now 2.5 months, and she does nap during the day. Right now, we are up to 1 nap in her crib for 40-50 minutes, and the remaining naps are shorter and/or in her swing (without swinging, she just likes the coziness). She will not sleep alone unless she is wrapped up, and if she is in her crib she must be in a swaddling blanket with the velcro, like someone else suggested (they are great). In the early days, I survived by taking car rides, since she would nap in her car seat, and having visitors during the day who would hold her to give my arms a rest. Keep faith! Gradually, she has learned to sleep during the day, and on her own, and I know she will gradually do this more and more. Remember, one day she will be independent and won't want to be held by you, and you will miss the closeness. It does get better!