HELP! Getting baby to sleep/nap

Hi girls,

I am having such a hard time here with my son. He is 7 weeks old and never likes to sleep. I nurse during the day and today it felt like I nursed for the entire day. We started giving him a bottle at night of pumped milk this way we know exactly what amount he is getting. Well after he is fed, he sometimes stays up for hours at a time. Today he only took a two hour nap the entire day. He does not cry, but just does not sleep. At night time he gets very fussy. We think he has gas so we have been giving him mycilon. I am at my wits end though with trying to get him to sleep. He sometimes will fall asleep on my shoulder and then when I put him down, he gets up. Any suggestions? I even watched the video The happiest baby on the block and tried those suggestions.

Re: HELP! Getting baby to sleep/nap

At 7 weeks I was a big fan of the swing for day time naps. If he isn't crying he may be well rested and not need a nap.

Evening fussiness is extremely common at this age, and usually has nothing to do with gas. You are at the peak of the fussies right now, and it should get better on its own gradually and naturally.

My primary suggestion is to hang in there -- it gets better!!!

Re: HELP! Getting baby to sleep/nap

Thanks for the response. During the day I do let him nap in the swing. He loves it. He is sleeping now!

Re: HELP! Getting baby to sleep/nap

It sounds to me like he's overtired or overstimulated. Also if you are nursing him more than every 2-3 hours, you may be misreading the cues that he needs to go down for a nap.

I wish I still had my Baby Whisperer book with the signs for tired and signs for gas...

Gas - lifting legs in the air

Tired - 7 mile stare, turning away from activities


Anyone else have the book?

eta - if he's 7 weeks, I imagine he'd need more than one nap a day.

Message edited 1/3/2006 9:00:29 PM.

Re: HELP! Getting baby to sleep/nap

My boys were never great sleepers, but something I had that helped them transition to the crib (and also REALLY helped my girlfriends baby) was the Secure Sleeper from BuyBuy Baby. It nestles them with slight elevation the way you do when you hold them. My boys really responded well to it. Another thing I did so I could get some time to clean and cook was I set up the snap and go wheels in the house and layed the boys in their car seats. I could wheel them with me around the house and they ALWAYS slept well in the seat. My friend just started doing that with her 7 week old and loves her new freedom. I hope that helps?!? Good luck with your new little munchkin!

Re: HELP! Getting baby to sleep/nap

Ahhhh welcome to my world.
Here's how we get Miranda to sleep. At the first signs of tiredness (this is key) we swaddle her and bounce and shush her on the stability ball until she falls asleep. Its tiring and doesn't seem to work as well at bedtime but its the only way she will go to sleep.
She goes down for a nap 2 hours after she wakes up each time.

Re: HELP! Getting baby to sleep/nap

Molly never napped in her bassinet, only the swing. I wish they made a swing for 2 year olds!!!
He may be going thru a growth spurt which is very common at this age. He will nurse more.
He might just be so interested in what is going on that sleep is not high on his list right now.

Re: HELP! Getting baby to sleep/nap

Re: HELP! Getting baby to sleep/nap

I kept mine on when baby was sleeping (I used the swing until 4 months).