What is Ages 0-1 Newborns Infants
This community is focused on the joys, challenges and frustrations faced by parents of infants (0 - 12 months). The major areas of child development during this time period include...
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Help me please!!!
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So it's 4am and I haven't had more than 2 hours of sleep in days so bare with me if I sound super emotional and crazy.
I need help figuring out if there is something wrong with my baby or if it's "normal" that she just doesn't seem to sleep at all. My baby is 5 weeks and is strinctly breastfed. My baby wakes up around 9-10pm and does not go to sleep again until 4-7am...and I mean does NOT sleep-like not for a single second. At first it was just that she had days and nights mixed up and that is why she didn't sleep well at night. She would have a long-6 hour period during the day where she would sleep deep which is why I thought she didn't sleep during the night (I did everything to keep her awake and nothing worked) BUT NOW, she doesn't hardly sleep at all during the day (probably 5 hours max and not for longer than 2 hours at a time) and still does not sleep at night. She doesn't really cry that much-she is consoled with feedings and with a binky but she just needs to be held (i think because she's more propped up) or needs to be sucking all the time. She seems so uncomfortable at night. First, she wants to breastfeed constantly. She also makes little choking sounds but doesn't spit up much at all. Propping her up (have the inclined mattress) seems to help a bit. She also thrashes around, raises her legs and does other things and then you can hear little gas bubbles and what not. I've tried the gas drops twice and they didn't seem to help. Is this reflux? Colic? Just newborn stuff that I shouldn't complain about? Please help me with any info. How much should I expect her to sleep at night? I feel like a horrible mother because I don't know how to help her and I get so emotional and frustrated because I am so tired. Posted on 10/21/09, 06:10 am |
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o wow...you must be tired! My son is 6 months old and is still not a great sleeper...still wakes up every 2-3 hours on most nights but atleast he goes right back to sleep. But, to be awake all night...thats hard. I think it is a newborn thing, i remember matthew having much more trouble sleeping at night also since he slept so much during the day, but, once he became interested in life he didnt want to sleep during the day. So I would suggest just trying to go out of the house more, go to somewhere loud, like a mall....let her look around at all the people. If she will let you, use a carrier instead of a stroller so she can see people. Then she may not sleep so much during the day and will be awake more at night. Also when shes falling asleep, if you change her clothes or give her a bath, that should help keep her up for longer. 
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sounds like she may have colic or acid reflux.The only thing that makes me think that is because she likes to be propped up.You are not a horrible mother.Sometimes its so hard to figure babies out.I would give the doctor a call and see what they suggest.
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Also I wouldn't try to keep her awake. She needs 15-18 h of sleep in a day at this age, if I remember correctly. So any sleep she gets is great. Just sleep when she sleeps and once you address the reason for not sleeping and she starts sleeping enough in total then you can try turning nights and days around.
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Hi, I thinkyoare doing just fine. It may or may not be reflux. I do ot think that that is the main problem. I think you should maek sure that she sleeps, whenever you sleep. And please join our breastfeeding support group....where you can get more encouragement and tips...
Amongst other things, I wold encourage her to bf more actively. THis may include breast compressions, even switch nursing. Otherwise, she may always be on your breast...and still not getting enough food. Please goto the bf support group, and in the search bar at the bottom, type in breast compressions, reflux, etc. to pull up some recen threads on these topics, and see the links on breast compressions, latching, etc. A good latch can do wonders to increase bm intake. Also, go to drjacknewman.com, and find some help in the bf help section. Watch also the video clips. I am pretty sure yu can learn quite a bit on how to improve the bf, and if, in additon, you sleepwhen baby does, you will be just fine. Finally, I would definitely bf lying down..and fall alseep, together. Bed-sharing is perfectly fine if you are bf, and is actually recommended by the WHO and Unicef, provided, of course, that you folllow some safety guidelines. At least this way, you will be getting more sleep. Good luck, and if you send me your e-mail, I can send yo some literature on bf, colic, latching, and bed-sharing that I received from Dr NEwman..
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To get some pointers, adn to be able to tell if your baby is actively sucking, or just "nibbling", as well as to se what is a good latch, and to learn how to do breastcompressions:
http://www.nbci.ca/index.php?optio... Here are the link most pertinent to our case: breast compressions: http://www.nbci.ca/index.php?optio...:breast-compression&catid=5:information&Itemid=17 bf-starting out right: http://www.nbci.ca/index.php?optio...:breastfeeding-starting-out-right&catid=5:information&Itemid=17 colic in the bf baby: http://www.nbci.ca/index.php?optio...:colic-in-the-breastfed-baby&catid=5:information&Itemid=17 findng help: http://www.nbci.ca/index.php?optio...:finding-a-breastfeeding-support-person&catid=5:information&Itemid=17 baby getting enough mil? http://www.nbci.ca/index.php?optio...:is-my-baby-getting-enough-milk&catid=5:information&Itemid=17 nipple shields: http://www.nbci.ca/index.php?optio...:nipple-shields&catid=5:information&Itemid=17 how to maximize bm intake: http://www.nbci.ca/index.php?optio...:protocol-to-increase-breastmilk-intake&catid=5:information&Itemid=17 latching: http://www.nbci.ca/index.php?optio...:when-latching&catid=5:information&Itemid=17 sore nipples: http://www.nbci.ca/index.php?optio...:sore-nipples&catid=5:information&Itemid=17 IMO, you needmore hlep to get a better latch. That is where I can send you that article that i have comes in...in addition to the above links. Once you get a good latch, and do breast compressions, other problems will disappear...she will be drinking more actively, and not on the boob 24-7..which will let you rest. In addition, since her hunger will have been satisfied, she will be happier, less fussy, etc. I look forward to hearing from yo soon, and in the meanme, I encourage you to re-post your problems int he bf group. U r doing great; the first 6-8 weeks are the worst....then things usually improve tremendously!
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It sounds like a combination of hunger and colic. Most newborns go through this stage. Her body is learning how to process food. This should get better with time. She is feeding so much because she still can't get a large amount of nutrition from the breastmilk- her body passes it through so quickly. You'll also hear some strange sounds coming from her stomach over the next few months- its the sound of her stomach expanding.
I went through the same thing with my daughter and she did not have reflux. The worst of it was gone by 2 1/2 months- when she started to sleep through the night and wasn't as gassy. This is something that should get progressively better. If it gets progressively worse, then it could be reflux and you should have the baby checked out by the doctor. There are few things that may help. * Give your daughter cues to help her tell the difference between night and day. Light = day and active. Night = dark and peaceful. This may help her sleep better at night. Because you are breastfeeding, she may still be waking up every 2 hours for feeds. Franny has some really great advice about sleeping and breastfeeding. * If your daughter is having growing pains (tummy groaning or bubbling), give her a bath. I found that it can be more comfortable getting into the bath with the baby. That way, you don't have to worry about supporting the head. Lay the baby on you and wrap your arms around her. Also, nighttime baby bath soaps really do work, so don't be afraid to give them a try! * After the bath, give your baby a massage. Go to youtube and look up "Ehow baby massage" or follow the link below. They go into detail on how to set up the area and they list a lot of different massage techniques. I've even gone as far as making my own massage oil. It's really easy and has a lot of medicinal benefits. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7yX...
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Do you swaddle? It was the only way my daughter would sleep at night. We also used a raised positioner to make her feel snug. We found that she slept much better on her side (we left one arm out of her swaddle to make it comfy to sleep on her side). A positioner made side sleeping safe because it prevented her from rolling over. For an upset stomach we would use "Baby Bliss" its gripe water. Any local pharmacy has it. It really helped settle Sara's tummy when she had gas problems.
I wish you the best and I promise that it gets easier.
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I was thinking reflux. Do you have overactive letdown? Does she choke when you feel let down? Do you have an oversupply? If any of these are true, try block-feeding. Where you feed of one breast for a block of time(like 3 hours) that helped my son a lot. It does get easier!
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I may get preached at for this but I did with my daughter and will do it if need be with my son....Get 2 oz of water warm, take a peppermint and shake it up real well. She MAY be too young consult your doctor of course. But normally they can have up to two oz of water a day at this point and the peppermint also consult your doctor, however I did not consult my doctor and gave it to my daughter she did fine not neccesarily the case for everyone. It did work to calm the stomache and move gas thru its the oil in the peppermint which works...Anyway good luck im sorry your having to go thru this! God bless!
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