10 Week Old Doesn't Sleep

I totally second "The Happiest Baby on the Block". My cousin hated the book, but I loved the video. My son was like your daughter, except with severe reflux (like requires surgery). We watched the video, and he was asleep in 10-15 minutes into it and slept for 4 hours non-stop.

If she's having that hard of a time, you might consider treating the reflux. I'm not a big medicine fan, but I had two who wouldn't eat without it. We've used both Prevacid and Xantac. We also have tried Axid and Carafate. My son says Carafate is an instant cure for it, and will eat really well with it. I think it's like Mylanta, so not long lasting.

Anyway, I'd start with the video. It's an instant cure! GL! Oh, we used a wedge, too, so our son could sleep on his left side (remember the pregnancy books that recommended that for pregnant mommies?). That seemed to help the two with reflux, as well. Hope you get some sleep soon! I still remember how intense those first weeks with a colicky baby were. I'm so sorry!

Have you tried swaddling her? It made the difference between almost no sleep and several hour stretches for my son at that age. Also, I really recommend The Happiest Baby on the Block by Dr. Harvey Karp. It really helped me understand how to help soothe my son in the first few months of his life. I know it is hard to find time to read a book with a tiny new person in the house, but this one was really worth it for me.

Since you mentioned that she has acid reflux, I first would suggest you check what you are eating (since you are breast feeding), certain foods or vitamins in your diet my be causing the reflux to get worse. You also mentioned that she likes to sleep in her swing, I suggest you look into a wedge for her. My 1st born was very colicky and the wedge did wonders for her. Hope it helps!

The reflux is really bothersome in babies. They are only comfortable in an almost upright position. You might put blankets or what not under her crib mattress to make one side up a little more. That way when you lay her down she is elevated. I had to do this with my 2nd son it helped alot. He did sleep a few times just in his carseat. I also would recommend swaddling your baby (or some call it the baby burrito), it really works like a charm. I stopped doing this and my son wouldn't sleep and someone mentioned I should swaddle him and I started back again and he slept much better. You have to find what works for you and your baby, try all the ideas until you find what works best for you. Good luck.

At this age, let her sleep whereever she (and therefore you) sleeps the best. If she has reflux, the swing is a great place for her to sleep! Our son slept in his car seat for the first couple of months. It was great for me, because he could fall asleep in any room but I could still move him to another room if I needed to.

With my other son, he and I would often fall asleep nursing. (I was able to do the "side lying" nursing where I lay down and he lay down next too me. I ended up sleeping great that way! He could eat and I could sleep at the same time. When I woke up later, I just made sure he was ok, then went back to sleep.

Can you get a co-sleeper to put next to your bed (or just side car the crib next to the bed)? That way she is still close enough to you for easy breastfeeding and to sense that you are still there (you can even rest your hand on her so she can feel more secure) but in her own space so that you feel more comfortable and can get more sleep?