I'm going to lose it! Please help my 3 week old will not sleep?

I don't really post often but I need help. I have an 18 month old and a 3 week old. My newborn will not nap or sleep at night unless he is laying on either me or sometimes my DH. I tried the bouncer, swing, crib, bassinet, belly, side, back, a sleep positioner, etc. I EBF if that matters too. I am beyond exhausted and am slowly reachign my breaking point. I pulled out all my old books from my older son Dr. Karp, Dr. Weiisbluth, The Sleep Lady, etc. nothing is working. They don't really address the issue of a baby not laying down. Does anyone have a child who is or was like this? I am in desperate need of help and advice. TIA

Re: I'm going to lose it! Please help my 3 week old will not sleep?

Do you swaddle?

Get the Miracle Blanket - it's a lifesaver!

Re: I'm going to lose it! Please help my 3 week old will not sleep?

Re: I'm going to lose it! Please help my 3 week old will not sleep?

I was thinking swaddling too....... if not, maybe some sort of reaction to something in the BM that you may want to ask your doctor?

Re: I'm going to lose it! Please help my 3 week old will not sleep?

Re: I'm going to lose it! Please help my 3 week old will not sleep?

I remember going through the same thing at that age. Then out of nowhere he started doing ok in the bassinet. We didn't really change anything. I think its just a phase that some babies go through at the beginning. I know this doesn't help much but keep trying to put you DC down and eventually it might work! Try the swaddle too. It helped us.

In the meantime lots of

Re: I'm going to lose it! Please help my 3 week old will not sleep?

just KEEP trying....try try try. Its a phase and it will END.

And I agree, get a miracle blanket, do it TIGHT and dont give up on it for at least 2 weeks.

Re: I'm going to lose it! Please help my 3 week old will not sleep?

It will end!!!!!!!!!!! Do not worry!

Re: I'm going to lose it! Please help my 3 week old will not sleep?

Thank you ladies. I did try last night the miracle blanket and it didnt work but I just went online and watched the video and I think I did it wrong. I will try it again for a few weeks. I apprecaite your words of encouragement. Just knowing there are other moms out there going through it helps. All my friends have wonderful sleepers so I feel all alone.

Re: I'm going to lose it! Please help my 3 week old will not sleep?

Our first night home with DS was completely sleepless. The next night we swaddled him and he slept so well I had to set an alarm to wake him up for his feedings.

Also, I know he is a newborn. But, I try to limit how much he sleeps/naps in the afternoon/early evening to ensure he is really tired at night.

Re: I'm going to lose it! Please help my 3 week old will not sleep?

Swaddling did not work for me. Landon was the same way around that age. I think it may be a phase.
Landon is 5.5 weeks old now and he is better at night, but still wont nap during the day.

Re: I'm going to lose it! Please help my 3 week old will not sleep?

Is your baby colicky?

Mine would not sleep anywhere else but my arms from the time he was 2.5 weeks to 8 weeks old. Then he was OK if I put him next to me in the boppy seat. It was little steps at a time.

Longest and most exhausting 5.5 weeks!!!!!!

Re: I'm going to lose it! Please help my 3 week old will not sleep?

Mine were like this as well. I literally wound up falling asleep with them on my chest. I had to do what I had to do. Many a night in the beginning my DH took one on his chest and I took the other and we slept in our recliner.

Hang in there...it does pass. My son's did not like the miracle blanket or swaddle me either.

Re: I'm going to lose it! Please help my 3 week old will not sleep?

For the time being, you may also want to try a Moby Wrap . It really helped me a lot when my DS was little. He would never nap in the beginning unless he was being held.

Re: I'm going to lose it! Please help my 3 week old will not sleep?

My DS was like that for a while too - it was terrible! And, swaddling never worked for him - he broke out of it in about two seconds...even in the hospital! Anyway, on a friend's recc we tried the carseat (on the stroller frame) at around 3-4 wks - it wasn't great but he did sleep a little better. Around 6 wks we put the sleep positioner in his bassinett and he would finally sleep a bit in that. But, in all honesty - he was a terrible sleeper until now (10mos)! I hope that isn't the case in your house! Good luck

Message edited 7/9/2008 10:27:18 AM.

Re: I'm going to lose it! Please help my 3 week old will not sleep?

perhaps a sling might help you---that way you are 'holding' the baby and the baby feels close to you, but you have your hands free to eat or be with your older child. It will get better!

Re: I'm going to lose it! Please help my 3 week old will not sleep?

I noticed that my son napped for hours on me but would wake after 20 minutes if he was sleeping on his back.

What solved it for me was letting him sleep on his belly.

It's not for everyone - feel free to insert the SIDS disclaimers here. But that's what worked for both of my kids.

Re: I'm going to lose it! Please help my 3 week old will not sleep?

mine is like this!

we bought an incline wedge at BRU that has a fake heartbeat since he only wanted to sleep at night on our chests. we've been using that and it seems to be working!

Re: I'm going to lose it! Please help my 3 week old will not sleep?

swaddling + swing worked for us. it does get better though!

Re: I'm going to lose it! Please help my 3 week old will not sleep?

Thank you everyone I tried the miracle blanket last night and he slept in the bassinet for 3 hours at a time. I dont want to jinx myslef but I am so excited!!! Thanks for all your help.