My baby won't sleep

[help]

I have a seven week old baby and she's wearing me out. The only way she'll sleep is in the swing or while I'm holding her. Could there be something medically wrong with her? I thought she had reflux so I raised her cradle. She was sleeping three hours at a stretch with the raised cradle. Now it's up every hour, sometimes more. She doesn't act sick or hungry, just every time we put her down she's up again...my son was like this. He has autism now, btw. He didn't sleep well until he was 15 months old. We used the swing, bouncy seat, and car seat every night. Oh, and the infant hammock that has been recalled, can't remember the name.

Anyone have advice for getting her to sleep? We do swaddle her and it's been making a difference but not anymore...

[saffrongirl]

Oh boy. Totally have been and am still sort of in your spot. Have you taken her to a professional to rule out anything medical? If so (and my baby doesn't/didn't have any medical issues and was/is still a PIA with sleeping), have you tried wearing her? The Maya wrap or Moby both helped us. Also, just taking her for walks in the stroller? Or car rides, if you're desperate.

Mine now will only sleep with a fan on for white noise and blackout curtains.

It WILL get better! You have to remind yourself that this is not a forever thing or you can really start to lose it...

[help]

Thanks for the reply. I do have a sling but it keeps her in a position on her back and she doesn't like that. I'm going today to get some material and make her a wrap. We use an air purifier that makes a noise like a fan, that doesn't help. She slept 30 minutes at her last nap. It's getting worse. My son was like this and we gave in and let him sleep wherever. It was torture to get him in a crib because he was used to an enclosed space of a swing or whatever. I called the doctor and told them her symptoms, they didn't say I needed to bring her in, just said to add cereal to her bottle (I'm breastfeeding and supplementing with formula), but I didn't want to introduce foods until much later. I take her in to the doctor for a check up in a week or so, but doubt they'll be much help...so frustrating.

[Knitting Mama]

You can put a baby upright in a sling! Upright's the only way Cecilia's happy being carried.

Also, I definitely wouldn't add cereal to the bottle at 7 weeks! I think that's really horrible advice and I hope you get better advice.

As for other stuff, Cecilia (10 weeks) doesn't sleep well when she's not on me, so the bulk of her sleep is done that way. She will take one morning nap in the swing. The way I get stuff done the rest of the day is by wearing her in a wrap. She also has mild reflux, and I keep her head and shoulders elevated while nursing, and it helps a lot. Swaddling is also a huge help for us. It keeps her way calmer.

[momtoTnT]

I also would not put cereal in the bottle - I think that is bad advice as well.

My dd was just like this too - she had to be held or worn in a sling and nursing to sleep - if I didn't wait until she was knocked out cold to unlatch her, we had to start over. She'd sleep in a swing, but it would take forever for her to fall asleep and she screamed the entire time (only did that when I wasn't around - she also wouldn't take bottles, so DH couldn't soothe that way). She was very very high needs. My dd was this way until she was 15 months or so - at which point, it was like a switch was flipped - she is now the best sleeper in the entire family - even telling me "mama, it's late, I want to go to bed now" then go off and go to sleep.

[Tattooed Hand]

nak

I had to wear or hold or be lying down with DD for her to sleep until she was 4 months old. She is totally healthy and naps alone now for hours.

[transylvania_mom]

are there newborns who sleep?
Just kidding.
Have you tried co-sleeping? She might not sleep longer stretches but at least you will get more rest.