Hi there,

My baby is 4 weeks old and we struggle to settle him at night, it can take hours for him to eventually sleep. Is this just me or does anyone else have this problem? It isn't every night but we have fed, winded, nappy changed him and still he won't settle. We feed him in a darkened room, don't talk with him but the minute he is put down, he starts crying. The midwife has ruled out colic although I think there is some sort of wind problem.

Help ladies!

xx

Hi hun, I know how you feel!! My wee one will be 5 weeks on Monday and he definitely has colic. It can take up to 2 hours to settle after his last feed and it's absolutely draining. He screams whenever we try to put him down in his crib. Does your LO pull his legs up when crying as this is the classic sign of colic?

For the past 2 days I have given my wee one gripe water and it really helps him burp as before that we were just getting a tiny burp and then nothing. On Thursday night he had a feed at 10.15pm and was sleeping for 11pm and he didn't get up until 5.15am the next morning, which is unheard of for my wee one so I really think it's helping.

If you think he is having trouble with wind, I'd definitely try the gripe water as it has helped my LO so much and that's just in 2 days. Not saying that he won't revert back to his old ways tomorrow night or tonight, but at least I know he can go down within an hour of feeding and it does give you hope.

Good luck xx

I havent tried it but think its a great idea........put a hot water bottle in the cot for 10 mins before putting LO in (and hot water bottle out) it will feel like the heat from your body.....sometimes the cold sheets wake them?

Just an idea x

Beth was like this until about 5/6 weeks. From speaking to other people this seems to be pretty common early on but they do seem to improve around 6 weeks. Beth would scream every evening until about 11-12 ish and would eventually pass out from exhaustion bless her.

Things we found made a difference:
Swaddling
Putting rolled up towels either side so she feels more cosy
Slumber Bear (plays womb sounds)
Tilting moses basket
Lying her tilted slightly on side (MW advice)
Bedtime routine (as you say, feed in dark, no talking)

She's 8 weeks now and settles herself for both naps and at night. It took perseverance as before that she wouldn't sleep in basket AT ALL - only on us!

If you do think it's wind then definitely try the remedies available. We thought wind was Beth's problem and used Infacol but it made no difference. To be honest I just think the world was just all too much for her that early on!

x

hi ds was like this when he was tiny too. i suggest that u try outting him down during his 'awake' periods just to let him have a 'play' in there so he gets used to being in there abit, also if when u put him down to sleep try rousing him a little if he's falen asleep on u, it can be quite daunting for them to fall asleep in one place and wake up in another. and when u lay him down to go to sleep, just gently keep ur hand on his chest/belly for a minute so he still feels ur there.
hth xx

hi ya the best bit of advice i was ever given was by my midwife with my 1st ds and that was to give lo something i'd worned that day either lay it as a bottom sheet in hes moses basket or lay to the side of lo so they can still smell you. its worked with all 3 of sons helping us all getting a better night sleeps coz lo feels happier coz they can still smell you.
hope that helps x

I would definately recommend the baby whisper book, it helped our lo sleep through from 6 weeks and settle really easily!!

Have you tried bathing him before you start the bedtime routine? We started that with Daisy at about 6ish weeks and within a few weeks, she would start to rub her eyes as she was in the bath! Now (7 months), she is asleep before I can put her down after she's finished her milk!

Also, a great tip from the girls about warming the cot / basket with the hot water bottle and the t-shirt of yours is also a good idea.

It does take a while to get into the routine and you think it's never going to happen, but if you have the patience, it's worth it in the end, I promise!!

C xx

ps - We are also Baby Whisperer fans! Daisy goes for 14 hours overnight, and I'm sure it's because of the book! x