3 Weeks Old Baby Not Sleeping

Try a heating pad or hot water bottle to warm his spot where you place him. Works very well for some infants.

My son was the same way, waking himself up after 15-20 minutes. So we decided to cosleep. It has worked out great. My son is now 21 months, and we still cosleep for about half the night. The other half he sleeps by himself in his own big-boy bed. So don't worry about the sleep pattern. It can take years for them to become comfortable enough to sleep by themselves through the night. Also, is there a specific reason that you supplement with formula? It could be stomach upset that it keeping him up. If you are able, mother's milk is always best! Good luck!

I also would nurse more and supplement less. The supplement contains cow milk and usually added iron, both of which could be irritating his stomach.

If he needs to be on the bottle (and you might be getting some nipple confusion on his part if nursing is still bothering you) then try the Advent ISIS pump which you can usually buy at Walmart or Target. If you pump in between his regular feedings, you can also increase your supply.

If you have to go back to work in a few weeks and pumping isn't really an option for you, then look into alternative formulas.

Breastfeeding will cost less in the long run even though it's more of your time. And the health benefits to you and your son are immeasurable. Best of luck. Also, if you need more breastfeeding help, The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding is an excellent reference book. I still refer to it from time to time.

Best of luck to you!

I know how awful you must feel right now. It is exhausting to have a baby who doesn't sleep much. I walked miles just pacing back and forth when my daughter was about one month old.

Keep trying all those things you mentioned. If he doesn't like it right now, he might get used to it. Swaddling is helpful but my babies always cried while I wrapped them up. So I would rock them in my arms once they were swaddled. I also put them swaddled in the swing - on a VERY slow speed.

Good luck!

My first saughter was a great sleeper, still is. Our second (who is now 4 mos) was more challenging. But at 8 weeks she started sleeping through the night. At 10 weeks she began sleeping on a more regular schedule during the day also. I recommend swaddling and a sound machine. Our 3 year old still goes to bed with a cd playing classical music or instrumental of some sort. For the 4 month old, we use a sound machine set on the ocean sound at night, and during the day I will play music through the tv (I prefer soundscapes). Aside from time, those are my recommendations. Good luck!

We had one of those, so i feel your pain. The best book advice I got was from a book called, "the happiest baby on the block" by harvey karp. To give you a quick run-down of the techniques if you want to try it before you have time to read the book: He talks about creating a womb like environment "the 4th trimester" and uses the 4 S's: shh, suck, swing, side. Swaddle the baby, lay him or her propped on their side a bit (i used those sleeping wedges to hold her on her side), pacifier, rock or swing, and use a loud shusshing noise, like a white noise machine, womb sound simulator or vacuum (the vacuum works wonders--we vacuumed our daughter's room every night for 6 months to get her to sleep).. you're supposed to do as many of these in conjunction with one another as possible. You might be amazed-we were!! good luck! if you don't have time to read the book, they make a video of it also.

I found that both of my kids wanted to held when they slept at this age. It's a pain and they get over it but they love to feel you close. Have you tried a sleep positioner. It makes them feel like they are being touched and I think they sleep better. Also make sure you aren't drinking caffine.

Hi V.,
I know it's frustrating for your baby to not sleep well, but the little guy is only 3 weeks old. Sounds like he's eating enough, so I don't think that's the problem. You know he went from being "held" 24/7 to being out in the world with noises and light and the ability to move around. Try swaddling him tightly, Try white noise playing, bounce him. Read "The Happiest Baby on the Block," - it helped me tremendously with my younger girl. She wasn't a good sleeper either. Also, read "Healthy Sleep Habits, Happy Child." Wonderful book that helped me with both. Mine are 7 and 5 now and great sleepers, happy, healthy and wonderful. Hang in there and try to recreate the environment your baby had in the womb to help him fall asleep and stay asleep. Please don't think the answer is in drugs or food.

You didn't say what he does do when he is supposed to be sleeping-crying, laying there?? Are you making the room too quiet? Babies hear all the noise that is going on while in your belly, it is sounds from home. The TV, vacuum, other people's voices. You'll set yourself up for disaster if you make the house too quiet and he'll need that in order to sleep. Lay him down and go about your day. Some babies are just more alert at this age, it may pass and it may not.

If you are going to supplement with formula, use Good Start. It is the closest thing to breast milk and is much easier for babies to digest than Enfamil and Similac. Not to mention I think cheaper as well.

Both of my girls slept less than 12 hours per day/night. The ped did not have a problem with it and my 3 yo is the smartest one in her class. With the new baby it is exhausting for you, but not bad for the baby. If you do try putting him on his tummy to sleep, be sure you are there to keep an eye on him for SIDS. My first baby hated all the devices, but would sleep so well in my arms. Be careful with a sling, too, bc he could overheat if overdressed.
Don't worry about supplimenting. With a baby that's wearing you out, you need a break, too. I started giving mine one bottle of Good Start at 2 weeks just so I could rest a little. I liked GoodStart over the others bc their breath smells better than Similac or Enfamil.

I had the same problem until I decided to try putting my son on his tummy to sleep. I know they say not to, but it was the only way he would sleep. He should be sleeping 18 hours a day right now.
I also switched DS to Similac Soy, but that was more because of the fussiness and gas.
Try just putting him down for a nap on his tummy and stay close- see how he does...

Try wearing him in a sling. There are many different kinds. Wearing your baby gives him the comforts he is used to from being in your tummy for so long. There is a lot of info about slings on the internet. Also, I recommend The Baby Book, by Dr Sears. You can probably get it from the library.

I also agree with nursing more and supplementing less, unless there is a medical reason. Nursing will also help you sleep better when you do, because your body releases natural chemicals that help you relax.

Blessings

First, unless you have a medical problem, there's no reason to supplement and that will cause your supply to drop. Also, formula is a lot harder to digest, and might be causing him discomfort. Given the number of formula recalls there have been in the last year, if you MUST use it, you might consider an organic one. Otherwise you might consider dropping it as unnecessary and a potential problem.

My older child would not sleep for more than ten minutes unless she was swaddled. Pick up a copy of "The Happiest Baby on the Block"--it was a lifesaver for us with our non-sleeper. Also, I'd consider co-sleeping for a while. People make a big deal about it, but we co-slept with both of our infants and they're now 3 and 5 and sleep in their own beds just fine. I wore both of mine in a sling (I had a Hotsling) which made nursing easy and they slept well in it. It leaves your hands free to do whatever else.

It's still very early to be expecting too much sleep pattern. He's still learning the difference between day and night. I know it's exhausting, but it WILL get better soon.

The first baby's so hard to get used to their "normal" -- good for you to nurse him and I'm sure you're supplementing as small an amount as possible to keep your milk up. I supplemented 25% but still nursed for 15 mos while fulltime -- YOU GO GIRL!

I agree he's in his "4th trimester" and was "held" and very warm and close to you with that vacumn/whooshing sound and rocking for 9 mos, so any of that recreated in combinations would do him and you good (you so you can not worry so much!).

Also, babies are very scent driven, and I used one of my days-worn sleep shirts inside the swaddle, the crib, and also at the in-home care to help comfort with my scent -- babies can find their mother in the first few days by scent alone and will "mark" their things and you by rubbing their cheeks against items. Its recommended if they have a well-used blanket to not wash so frequently for further comfort factors.

For formula, I used WalMart's Parent's Choice or Kroger's brand -- my infants didn't really care or have any trouble with any milk-based formula, but did have trouble with the soy-based products.

YOUR DOING GREAT AND GOOD LUCK!

He is probably overtired. I would consider putting him in a sling and see if he will start to sleep that way. Usually they are more comfortable there and then you can transition to the crib later.

I would also consider not supplementing with formula- it may be upsetting his tummy a bit to go back and forth and the supplementing can affect your milk supply. But as formulas go my kids could never tolerate anything but Good Start. It us made with a different type of milk protein (whey vs cassein I think) which is closer to breastmilk.

Good luck and remember that these sleepy days will pass!

First of all -I'm sorry he(and you) are not sleeping! I've heard that driving them around in the car can help or placing them in their babyseat on the dryer (holding it of course). I primarily responded about your formula question. With my first I used Enfamil, and I wish I had the money I saved with my second using Kroger Comforts Brand, Target Up and Up brand and other store brands (if it's dairy-based, Kirkland from Costco is good). Due to very strict FDA guidelines for baby formula, ALL formulas must have the same ingredients and structure. Unless your doctor put your baby on a very specialized name brand (and there are some), then you can literally save HALF the money by purchasing store brands. I did my research after hearing a good friend's sister who works for the WIC program say that all of the formulas were the same regardless of brand -they have to be! My just-turned-one-year-old has been drinking store brand for a year now, and he has thrived! Good luck with the sleeping!

Other products for sleeping -if baby seems to respond to vibrations well like in the car or the dryer -I think they make a vibrator thing to put under the crib mattress. In a money saving measure a good friend of mine put her actual vibrator under her baby's mattress, and it did the trick -LOL!

I agree with not supplementing him. I also agree with -- you can check it out from the library-- the book or video-- The Happiest Baby on the Block. Easy info.
If you want to spend more money and get a good session from a great nurse/consultant who comes to your home, go to www.momsoncall.com ; It is worth it.

Also, if you are afraid of co-sleeping, buy this little sleeper that you can put IN your bed-- we call it the briefcase-- and they sleep next to you in this little open case. Let me know if you need more info.

Don't expect him to be on a schedule. But do nap when he naps-- even for 15 minutes. Also, ask for help. Have someone hold him for 45 min or 1 hr so you can go rest. This is what you really need.

Good luck and congratulations.

have you considered about co-sleeping? nobody has mentioned it, as of yet. both of my daughters had their days and nights mixed up and both had difficulty sleeping. i would lay them down on my chest, wrapped my arms around them until they fell asleep. maybe its the sound of my beating heart that helped soothe them. they eventually got into their own sleep pattern. but, all the ladies before me had excellent advice. driving around, putting him in his car seat and turn on the dryer. not only will he feel the vibration, but the warmth as well. perhaps a warm bath. (that one is for mom :-D )
i wish you the best of luck..trust me, it wont last forever.