Not enjoying BF anymore - 5 weeks and becoming increasingly difficult

[Fiver]

At 5w, he's still getting used to being in the world and needs the reassurance of your presence to slip into a deeper sleep.  He still doesn't realise that you are two separate people, so only feels safe when you are around.

[Dairy Queen]

By sure fire way, do you mean like holding him or rocking him?  Yeah, I mean if I hold him upright in my arms he'll sleep, but he'll wake up as soon as I put him in his crib or swing.  The other method is breastfeeding but I think that doesn't help the pain or discomfort... Since it might cause more gas, reflux etc.

As for distinguishing between OT and hunger, you are absolutely right.  I have no idea how to tell between the two because I think in both cases he tends to try to look for something to suck. The. When I fail at putting him to sleep and finally give him the breast, he just suckles for 10 minutes and falls into a deep sleep (I and even burp him when he is so deep in his sleep!).

[irmadhanio]

Hello.had the same problm with DS when he was 8 wks..had to AP him, giving breast while standing and rocking to calm him down..gets better after 4 wks or so when he's more used to the flow

[becj86]

Maybe it's worth getting yourself a good carrier that supports him from knee to knee and letting him nap in that so you can still get on with your day a bit. DS slept on me til 3.5 months and sleep trained pretty well. He was in his cot from day dot though.

Totally agree that it's best not to feed so frequently, we had terrible trouble with DS and gas pain from doing that.

Have you got his sleep surface on an incline so his head is above his bottom? That can help to keep the acid in the stomach... Upright is the most comfortable way to be for refluxers though.
 

[Dairy Queen]

Makes sense.  I tried giving him the pacifier and DH had to hold it it his mouth for 20 min and he fell asleep for 30min without needing to BF.  when he woke up he was in a fairly good mood and I fed him lying on my side.  He's tired now (has been up for 50 min) so DH is trying the same thing again.  Normally, I just would have BF again but we'll see how he takes it. 

As for the incline, he has been sleeping in his swing.  That's about 45 degrees I would say.  Is that ok? Or should I elevate the crib mattress instead? I don't actually turn on the swing but when he fidgets, it moves a little by itself.

[becj86]

Have a read of the info at the bottom of this page Reflux 101 - General reflux information
It gives good info about angles and positions most comfortable

[Dairy Queen]

Thank you!!! The tips were great and worked well.  We still have some tough feeds (with milk dribbling out of his mouth!) but the sleeping has improved significantly!!

Hurray :-)

[*Ali*]

That's great. Thanks for the update.