skip to main content

Parents of Infants

Need suggestions for Baby that won't sleep

15 years ago

My daughter has a 7 week old son, her first. She feeds him between breast milk and bottle, she doesn't produce enough milk of her own to just breast feed alone.

Since he was born he doesn't sleep for more than 2 hours, always hungry, he takes about 12 bottles a day with 4 oz per bottle. She and hubby are getting worn out, any suggestions, I am sure he is just going through a growth spell but was just wondering how long this lasts.

Thanks.

Comments (8)

lindac
15 years ago
Skip the bottles....breast feed every hour if necessary....her body will accomodate his needs in a few days, and then life will be sooooo much easier.
lonepiper
14 years ago
Enjoyingspring, you could have been talking about my son. I would breastfeed him every 2 hours but he was very fussy and always seemed hungry in between. As he got older, it got worse - especially if I was the one holding him (perhaps he could smell the milk on me??). Although I am a firm advocate for breastfeeding, I just didn't think he was getting what he needed so I very wearily stopped breastfeeding and started formula. I continued to pump, just in case he had a bad reaction and I could go back to the breastfeeding, but he THRIVED on the formula. He no longer was fussy between feedings and he was so content. AND he finally slept. Maybe I'm wrong, but I just don't think my breast milk agreed with him...
Related Discussions
Well, I won't sleep tonight!!!
Q
Comments (19)
"...It's hard to hate these little guys..." Ain't that the truth! Two weeks ago I found a nest in my raised bed with 6 babies. This little guy jumped out last Sunday, (MUCH larger than he was just a week earlier!) and now they are all gone - far away, I hope! My DH and I happened to be looking at the babies when this guy jumped out. He was contained within the confines of the raised bed, so he was kind of stuck - not that he seemed to want to go too far anyway. MY DH offered to "do something"... but how can you? To this little guy? I just hope I don't regret my decision! On the bright side, the nest was about 10 feet from my lettuce bed, and so far so good! :) Dee
...See More
Plan review -- new baby + no sleep = need help
Q
Comments (20)
Congrats on the baby and home. YES, it does get easier & harder ( I now have teenagers...6 boys now...18 months-15 years). I'll hold your baby & you can clean my house ;) Anyways on to your plans. You are getting a lot of great feedback. I wanted to mimic some of the others on your long, narrow family and kitchen areas. Please make sure you graph it out or use a program to layout furniture. Our last home great room area was so large and open that we really grew to dislike it and built different this time around. Our "carpet" area fort the family room furniture was 24+ feet long and it along with the open eating and kitchen area was rather large & cold for us. I would think that with your set up you would almost be looking at needing two separate sitting areas in your family room area. And that is fine, if that is your plan. Or else a toy area, piano, library or something. Just lay it out and make sure it will work for you. Same thing with your kitchen...I'm more concerned about the width being too small with your island than the length being too long. You have room for the island, but don't go too wide or make your aisles too narrow...you will live to regret it. I would think the area between your island and perimeter counter (walkway to laundry) you are going to want a minimum of 4 feet. Remember the counters overhang from your 2 foot cabinets. We are owner builder and have been finishing the house while living in it. So, my kitchen is so not finished. However the perimeter counters & appliances have been in place and used for a year now. We have a table where the eventual island will be. My kitchen is around 17 feet long and 18 feet wide. This includes an island area and not a dining table. So, it is a large kitchen. The kitchen forum here was a tremendous life savor to get it tweaked right. Our home plan started with my dream kitchen and the house was added to it...lol. Anyways I wanted about 8 feet of windows and a large dish hutch. It functions amazingly well. Granted it is a lot of counter and cabinets. I wanted to show you an idea that gets rid of some of the counter on a long perimeter run like ours. The best part is 5 of the 6 boys can reach everything to put all the dishes away on their own (the 18 month old is still off the hook). I'm embarrassed to show you this unfinished; however, wanted to give you an idea. Please excuse the unfinished cabinets, temporary counters, temp sink, trophies on display rather than "pretties, " etc.
...See More
Won't sleep in his crib
Q
Comments (7)
Think about the situation as you know it. It sounds like he is 'ok' with the crib in general. He plays happily in it? The things he has needed for sleep though have been the fan noise and his car seat. Car seats have their own scent, feel, and look as well as forcing a more upright or seated position. Also, his usual pattern now is probably to associate the car seat (and all its related variables) with being able to relax and fall asleep. The crib is a nice play area, but not conducive or associated with a good sleep for him (at this time). Do other things comfort him? When he does cry in the crib, can he be comforted by words, singing, music, touch... anything? The idea is not to let him cry himself to exhaustion, but that some discomfort is tolerable and if he can be acclimatized to the crib for sleep this can occur bit by bit over time. One thing that can help is to have play time anywhere else but not in the crib. The crib can be effectively re-defined as a place for sleep or at least quiet time. Experiment, and use your best judgement so that you can stay within (or stretch in a healthy way) your comfort zone and teach or train a 4 month old how to be able to sleep in his crib. There isn't one way to do this kind of thing because humans are mostly alike but are all individuals too. You and your baby can kind of get a feel for each other, and how to change patterns so that they are more productive. give it some time, because it's probably a _huge_ change for him and relaxing and sleeping in a whole new position and place (especially if he's used to other things happening in that place) is probably not going to happen all at once (the all at once approach would involve forcing the issue and letting him cry himself to utter exhaustion) P.S. If touch works for comforting him at all, infant massage techniques might be helpful for nighttime or crib-sleeping relaxation.
...See More
My new baby won't snuggle!
Q
Comments (10)
One thing I learned from my beagle, is never try to make a dog snuggle. If we let her up on the couch and made her lay near us, she'd toss her head back and forth and grunt and huff and just be miserable. She wanted on the couch, but she truly hated being cuddled for the longest time. It even took months before we were able to pet her without her freaking out, because she thought it meant play time. We kind of gave up on her ever being a cuddler, until just a few weeks ago. We were both stretched out on the couch and she came padding over, ever so quietly, looking sorry for herself and giving us those 'please can I get on the couch' eyes. And we let her up, she came and sat on me, nuzzled her head into my chest and went to sleep! I was amazed, and since then all she wants to do is snuggle. I know its a bit different because she's a lot younger. But if your dogs never been snuggled before, he wont know. So I suggest you allow him on the couch when you want him up there, but dont try to make him sit near you if he doesnt want to. Give him loves and pets, but dont over do it. Eventually he should come around and associate the couch with cuddle time.
...See More
tracystoke
14 years ago
lonepiper i agree i too breastfed my two youngest for about three months none of them slept atall,id had enough so put them on formula,and saw a massive difference,my breastmilk wasnt satisfying them atall.breast is supposed to be best ,i didnt breastfeed my eldest.she is fine and always slept as a baby.I personally would never breastfeed again.
lonepiper
14 years ago
Tracystoke, I was scared I was the only one! I have always felt so guilty. I just couldn't understand why I wasn't able to provide him the nourishment he needed but a can of powdered formula could!!! And the change in the baby was almost instant - the formula soothed him in a way my breast milk couldn't.
yoyo_2008
14 years ago
do not worry,this is very normal,the baby is very yong and the body system is unstable,so just try your best to feed him,whatever breast milk or bottle,anout 3 hours one time,day after day,he will gets better,you will find it,I'm sure!
my daughter is one year old now,when she is very yong,she is like this.
oilpainter
14 years ago
Does he suck well? If he downs the bottle fast, give him a couple more ounces and see how he does.

I breast fed my son until 4 months. When I put him on the bottle he was drinking 12 ounces at a feeding and went 5 to 6 hours between feedings.

My son had twin boys. They were breast fed and had suplimental bottles. One was like his father but the other one didn't have a good sucking reflex and it took him forwever to down 2 oz. and he was a poor sleeper. It may not change things to know this but at least your daughter won't be so tense and thinking she is at fault, because that can cut down on the amount of milk she produces too.
arcy_gw
13 years ago
Yep, every two hours,they nursed, three babies I did this for. They were all outside the box on the growth charts. This too will pass.
1busymommy2
13 years ago
best sleep is in the crib! However the only way we could get our daughter to sleep was to drive her in the car till she fell asleep! We use a sleepy Bee sound machine (sleepybees.com) It makes ocean waves. We turn it on in the car then trnsision her to the crib with it stil turned on. The constant sound seems to help the transision

Sign Up to Comment

Related Stories

REMODELING GUIDES You Won't Believe What These Homeowners Found in Their Walls

By Mitchell Parker

From the banal to the downright bizarre, these uncovered artifacts may get you wondering what may be hidden in your own home

FEEL-GOOD HOME Is Your Bedroom Designed for a Good Night’s Sleep?

By Laura Gaskill

Find out how the right nightstands, bedding, rugs, TV and storage can help you get more restful slumber

BEDROOMS The Right Mattress: The Secret to a Great Night’s Sleep

By Sophie Baylis

We spend a third of our lives asleep, so investing in a quality mattress is essential. Check out this expert advice to help you choose yours

LIFE 12 Effective Strategies to Help You Sleep

By Laura Gaskill

End the nightmare of tossing and turning at bedtime with these tips for letting go and drifting off

BEDROOMS 11 Things You Didn’t Think You Could Fit Into a Small Bedroom

By Becky Harris

Clever designers have found ways to fit storage, murals and even chandeliers into these tight sleeping spaces

SMALL SPACES Small Sleeping Nook, High Comfort

By Vanessa Brunner

It's just big enough for a bed and a dresser, but this boy's 12-by-4 sleep space is comfy-cozy

SMALL SPACES Downsizing Help: Where to Put Your Overnight Guests

By Becky Dietrich, Interior Designer

Lack of space needn’t mean lack of visitors, thanks to sleep sofas, trundle beds and imaginative sleeping options

COLOR Bedroom Color: The Secret to More Sex and More Sleep

By Mitchell Parker

Look to surprising revelations about bedroom wall colors to get more of what you want

HEALTHY HOME Sleep Happier and Healthier in a Toxin-Free Bedroom

By Robyn Lawrence

Light pollution, toxic bedding, wallpaper that off-gases ... if you're not getting good sleep, these bedroom blights might be to blame

FUN HOUZZ Don’t Be a Stickybeak — and Other Home-Related Lingo From Abroad

By Mitchell Parker

Need to hire a contractor or buy a certain piece of furniture in the U.K. or Australia? Keep this guide at hand

Sponsored

Veteran Brand Home & Commercial Services

Industry Leading General Contractors in Ohio