8 Week Old Baby Unable to Stay Asleep for More than 20 Minutes During the Day

I agree that Dr. Harvey Karp is the baby whisperer. Some babies are content with swaddling, others need other elements or "S"s added to get them settled. My daughter needed, swaddled, sucking, and put on her side and she would immediately fall asleep. Until you get the video swaddle him, add a bink, gently sush in his ear as you rock him while holding him on his side. See if this works.

Lucky you, I had one of those babies too. Don't you wonder why all those other babies seem to sleep all day and some moms actually have to wake them up to eat??? I know its rough but believe me...they grow out of it!! I swear!! You are doing everything right but I suggest that if the sling doesn't work then just let him sleep in either a swing or a carseat. When we discovered the carseat trick (obviously brought into the house, not left along in the car) it really helped. Also, try to breastfeed as much as you can because I think that some babies just need more assurance than others. I believe that those babies that are catnappers have more trouble soothing themselves and have a more active temperment which at times can be tough for parents. Just try to be patient and do whatever works to get you through.

Zantac is not as good as babies magic tea because it soothes babies from all tummy issues and has no preservatives.

K.,

I don't know how the pregnancy or birth went for your little one but it sounds like his nervous system needs some help. See if you can find someone to give him a pediatric craniosacral therapy adjustment. It is very gentle and works miracles for birth stress or other nervous system issues. You can look for a chiropractor, OT, or CST to do this. Where do you live? IF you are in NYC area I can make a referral directly.

All the Best and Keep Breathing!

E

You may want to request different med. Not all babies vomit with reflux. Some reflux only part way up the esophagus or into their throat and nose which can be very painful. Zantac was a disaster for my son but switching to prevacid and later axid made a huge difference. It's worth a try. Definitely ask to see a GI doctor if you suspect zantac isn't fully releiving his symptoms. It's at least worth the effort to rule it out as the problem. Good luck!

I feel your pain...

I didn't read all of the responses...just Judy's-and I wanted to add that there is a DVD for the book she described- The Happiest Baby on the Block by Dr. Harvey Karp that actually SAVED OUR LIVES. We were at about the same point in our son's life when we found it-about 8 weeks old-and we implemented some of the techniques that were taught in the DVD as we watched it...AND IT WORKED IMMEDIATLY. I recommend it to everybody that I know who is expected or has recently had a baby.

GOod luck.

Hi K.:

Please keep in mind that babies are extremely sensitive to their environment and everyone's moods. There are many factors to consider; environmental stress, his diet, any medication, the type of pregnancy you had while he was in your womb and many others. All of this can be addressed in a consultation. I am available to assist you via telephone or in my Manhattan office. See my contact information below.

All the best,
N.
Holistic Healthcare Provider
www.wholecreations.com/wombfull.html

I think this is pretty normal, it's exactly what my son did. He didn't start taking real naps until he was six months old--before then it was just these little cat naps--he also didn't sleep well at night until he was 6 months. He was always fussy in the evening so my husband would walk him outside in the stroller (while he cried) so I could get a little break. I think some babies are just as bit more high maintenance than others. We did find that letting him cry-it-out at six months really improved his night sleeping and his napping (even though we rocked him to sleep at nap time). It also improved him evening time disposition, but I'm not sure I would try it earlier than six months. Good luck--we literally don't have any photos of our son sleeping because he was always wide awake--it almost took an act of God to get him to sleep!

My first baby was a cat napper. Never stayed asleep for longer than 15-20 minutes during the day. Very frustrating because I felt like I never got anything done during the day. I use to sleep her in the baby swing swaddled in blankets.

Hi K.,

My heart really goes out to you, as your description sounds just like how my son was as a newborn. He now almost 3 is very loving and wonderful. What helped us immensely was a swing (with 2 sets of rechargeable batteries) and the book "Happiest Baby on the Block" by Harvey Karp. The book examines potential reasons for colic and reassures parents and gives them ideas to soothe their fussy baby. The swing actually allowed my son to sleep. I felt guilty about using it, but really it only helped us give our son that much needed sleep as I now believe he was severely overtired.

-J.

My daughter was exactly the same except she cried all day long. Naps were miserable...I would rock her and rock her and then as soon as I put her down she would wake up or she would only sleep for 20 minutes. I was exhausted.

She had reflux but she did not spit up either. Her pediatrician put her on xantax, but when that didn't work I requested to see a gastroenterologist. He confirmed the diagnosis and put her on prilosec. It was a miracle...within a few weeks she was a different kid.

I wish you all the luck in the world. I found that holding my daughter up after feedings for a few minutes helped. For whatever reason the sound of the dryer seemed to calm her as well.

Sounds like your little guy has colic and he is right on time for it too.
I switched to Nestle Good Start for my daughter (soy) and it help tremendously with all that you are describing. Babies also just have a time with settleing down and as soon as you get this one licked, it is time for another.
(You know this as you have gone this route before ;)
Since you have previous experience, I would try the good start and see what heppens.
You're not doing anything wrong.
LOL my daughter would never sleep lying flat. She would scream and scream. So I had to put her in her carrier seat and she slept there for the first 3 months!! Then we tried her again in the bed and no way again. So then I had her propped in my bed with us and she did well for another 2 months. Lastly, she would only sleep in her stroller so my husband and I woud lug that thing up the stairs every night so she could sleep. It wasn't until she was 7 months that she would sleep in her crib!
My point, every baby is different and you have to try all kinds of things before you find what works for your baby.
Keep searching for a sollution and do what you need to do.

Best of luck to you K..

Take care
P.

You said you nurse and bottle feed. Are you on any meds? What is in your diet. It could be something from your milk that is making him stay awake. I had this happen for several days with my newborn. I was on a medication that I was told by doc was fine to take while nursing. Once I stopped the med within 48 hours the baby was better. I know this is old fashioned but if nursing eat a very plain diet. Nothing too spicy, definitely no caffeine. Watch some herbal teas like gingsing.
If this doesn't work, demand that he get a REALLY good checkup at the pediatrician. Also, I see that someone suggested craniosacral therapy,ot, chiropractic. That's a good idea. I know of a chiropractor in Bergen CTy NJ that does an extremely gentle method. I had my daughter adjusted by him and she was much better. Helped with her constipation too. His method is similar to reiki. He just gently touches different areas of the spine. Good luck it must be so difficult. Remember, take care of yourself too.

I had a somewhat similar experience with my son. He would take some naps but never hugely long and suffered from horrible colic. He would cry for hours particularly at night. He would also cry throughout his feeding which indicated colic and potential acid reflux. We tried everything! A couple of things that worked for us (but every baby is different)
- happiest baby on the block techniques (video is v helpful)
- feeding him his bottle lying on his side as if he was breastfeeding (strange but worked!)
- establishing a really set routine for bed and making his bedtime earlier (7pm)
- all sleep (naps and bedtime ) in a dark room with ocean music on
On a positive note he completely grew out of it at around 3 1/2 months and became a super mellow happy baby. Honestly it was amazing and people now remark what a good, happy baby he is! I also started a schedule for naps around 3 months or so and I think the set routine also helped.
Good luck, it does get better!

he has to be tired so there has to be something that keeps waking him... I have found with so many things you know your child better start googling his symptoms and behaviors down to the very last thing... sometime they seem not related but they are. It doesn't seem like the medication is working so I would think about if you want to give him meds. I have really gotten into homeopathic which can help in some areas doctors just don't seem to. Please research it and see if it's something you would like to try. You maybe about to find a homeopaths in your area ... insurance doesn't usually cover them but they usually have reasonable prices because they know you have to pay for it out of pocket . Please feel free to email me if you want anymore info at ____@____.com