Has routine when sleep swith mom - Help!

[Keong]

Hi Anyone,

So I've been trying to implement a routine for my 5.5 week old.  I've tried the 3 hour schedule thing, but he just won't nap, and or sleep for the allotted time he should.  He wakes himself up with jerky motions, and he's still stuffed up.  He sounds like he has a cold, but my pediatrician says it's normal for him to be this stuffy still after birth.

In the last week while I've tried putting him on a routine, he's totally digressed, and three days ago would not go to sleep unless he slept with mom.  It was only yesterday where he started to fall asleep in his bassinet, but for only 1 hour at a time.  I noticed however, that he follows a longer sleep cycle that fits the 3 hours schedule when he sleeps with mom.

What to do?

Any advice?

Thanks!
K

[MJMom]

It is very common for LO's to wake themselves up with their jerky movements.  He probably sleeps better with you because you're warm, cozy and you keep his limbs from flailing.

Do you use a swaddle?  That should help immensely.

Also, have you read through this FAQ?  Some of this should help.
Teaching sleep to infants

For the stuffiness, do you have a humidifier and an aspirator?  Both of those helped our DD.  We only needed to use the aspirator once or twice because the humidifier really helped keep things moving.

A routine at this age - really focus on the E A S order, not as much as time.

[Keong]

Hi MJM,

Thanks for the link.  I will read it VERY carefully.

With respect to swaddling - my son HATES it.  He will throw and absolute fit when I try to swaddle him.  He will have none of it.  I bought a Grobag for him instead, and he likes it, but he still jerks himself awake.

Just wondering for the last cluster feed and dream feed at 11ish, do you wake the baby or do you try to latch them on while they are asleep?

Thanks,
Steph

[MJMom]

For the DF, you just gently rouse them, but they are still largely asleep when you feed them.

As for the swaddle, I thought my DD didn't like it easier.  I think some babies fight it more, but they do sleep better with it.