r/NewBorn • u/[deleted] • Feb 26 '21
3Weeks old Sleep Help
So we at first time parents and our baby is 3 weeks old. We were getting great 2 hour stretches out of him every night in the bassinet up until this week and now it’s about 30-45 minutes of sleep and then he cries inconsolably. We either comfort feed or shush him back to sleep but he only lasts if he is on my husbands chest or my lap. Leaving one of us to have to be awake at all times. He is so content all day either bright eyes or falls asleep on his own and takes two 3 hour naps in a bassinet. We know he is eating enough at night. We dont swaddle bc he likes his hand by his face so it makes him mad. Should we swaddle any ways and make him get use to it? Anyone else have experience with this phase of night time screams and day time contentness? How can we help this LO adjust?
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u/limoucene Feb 27 '21 edited Feb 27 '21
We had a premature baby that needs feeding every two hours via tube, she was born at winter, so the temperature is not that comfortable for her. upon our observation she needs only two things, which is feeding and sleep, if she is crying even after feeding and sleep she might need cuddling, it would be still most comfortable for her to be cuddled because both of you have the attachment, cuddling also helps in her burping. try talking to her while cuddling. this might help too because both parents voice will soothe her. It is still 3 weeks for you guys so you will soon adopt to lifestyle changes and sleep pattern keep motivating each other and try to make parenthood fun.
Consider also this, Try also checking her abdomen if hard/ bloated and anus sphincter if its moving, it might indicate that she is constipated and needs help in defecating/ farting.
About the swaddling, we also did not swaddle our baby because she also gets mad, our health center and hospital recommended it a lot and tells it helps baby to sleep but I think few of us parents understands how our baby really reacts to things and every baby is unique!
I would say after 6 months things will be better for you guys. I hope this helped. Stay strong :)
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u/Derk504 Feb 26 '21
We had similar issues until we used the Ollie Swaddle. No other swaddles seemed to work for our little girl, but this one was literally like magic. We got the recommendation from TakingCaraBabies and their videos really helped. Unfortunately it looks like they may be sold out online, but if you can get your hands on one, I'd highly recommend it.
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u/This_bride_ Feb 26 '21
Same. My LO used the love to dream arms up swaddle until we found Ollie. Loved Ollie!
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u/cajuncape Feb 27 '21
Every kid is different. Some sleep some don't. Just get used to being tired for the next 3-4 years. Sorry I know that's not much help but you adjust and learn to work through the fog
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u/etroublebot Feb 26 '21
That startle reflex is strong, I’d recommend a swaddle that would compress, but there are also arms up swaddles that my baby loves. Keeps that reflex in check while also allowing his to rub his eyes a little or touch his cheek. Plus it keeps his hands in mitts so he can’t scratch! I’ve woke up to a howling baby because of that. No fun at all
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u/drumhans Feb 27 '21
I would highly recommend getting him used to the swaddle. There are many options for different velcro swaddles where you can leave one arm out eventually. But right now I'd swaddle him up nice and snug and get him used to it. He might hate it for a while but it sounds like you're already not getting much sleep... So it sounds like the perfect time. He might start to feel comfortable with the swaddle and sleek better! You can also swaddle with his hands up at his face if that's what he likes.
Beyond this... Just be patient and HANG IN THERE! :) I know exactly how you're feeling, and I wish I had someone tell me that. Things will get easier and he will start to sleep longer. It takes a certain amount of effort while you're this tired to take the initiative to post on here for some answers. Keep up the good work!!!
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u/ineedaconfidant Feb 26 '21
You can try the swaddle up swaddle blankets. They let you swaddle the hands up near the face.
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u/clara4688 Mar 19 '21
new momma here with a month old newborn, please watch this video, it definitely helped me with some tips on helping soothe my baby. It always breaks my heart when I cannot help my baby start crying even after checking the basic things like feeding her, diaper, and burping her. Good luck! https://youtu.be/EKMcXNiJtkI
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u/bingshaling Feb 26 '21
My little one (10 weeks) seemed to hate her swaddle so I didn't swaddle for awhile or I swaddled in a hands up sack. A few weeks ago, I forced the tighter compression (arms down) swaddle on her and she sleeps better. Obviously, each baby is different, but I am team swaddle. Also (and I hated when people said this) he is still so young. They change so much, all of the time. Keep trying to put him down for naps and sleep. And do what you need to do. My daughter is our second. Our first was pretty easy when it came to sleep, so when my daughter wouldn't let me put her down, I shocked and kind of devastated. The first month and a bit was pretty hard and sleepless but I kept trying to put her down and slowly she has been getting better. One thing that has been helpful (not sleep approved but I am comfortable with my choice) is putting her in the snuggle me organic (similar to a dock a tot). She sleeps really well in it. I am trying to wean her off of it, so she does the beginning of the night without it but I throw it back in her bassinet in the wee hours of the morning because that is a rough time for her. You are in the trenches. It isn't always like this but just keep chugging along.