Author Topic: 4 week old nap struggles - I'm getting anxious!  (Read 1273 times)

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Offline lilredhen89

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4 week old nap struggles - I'm getting anxious!
« on: June 01, 2011, 19:00:20 pm »
My DS is now 4 weeks old, and whereas our nights are starting to even out a bit, naps are becoming a total struggle.  I have a 19 m/o DS as well, so my ability to work on naps effectively is limited. 

One major problem I've run into is that DS seems to have a MAJOR need to suckle.  He just can't seem to nod off easily without a boob, finger, or pacifier (which he doesn't generally like to take) in his mouth.  I have tried to avoid putting him to sleep with anything in his mouth from the beginning, but it is as if he was born an addict!  He does NOT spit the paci out after he falls asleep, and the moment he loses it, he stirs, then wakes up and starts crying.  He is a fairly gassy baby, so perhaps this has something to do with it.  He doesn't spit up a lot, but seems to have a good amount of wind which often disturbs his sleep (though nights are getting better, thankfully). 

He has been an overtired mess by the end of the day for the past three days, and my sanity is on its way out the window as well.  For the past two days he has gone down for his first nap without too much problem.  He also enjoys sleeping in a sling.  So...what should I do?  Should I just work on that first nap and BT and then AP the rest if we aren't successful within a set amount of time?  We'll probably be out for at least a nap or two a day between errands and DS #1's activities, so it may be good to make him a bit more portable anyway.  I'm just starting to feel lost, and I can't be in his room for long periods during the day, nor can I keep running up there over and over when it doesn't seem to help anyway.  I have no doubt that by the time he has control over his hands he will start sucking his fingers.  He practically does it already whenever they make it near his mouth, so the problem may start solving itself by 3 months or so...but what should I do in the meantime to not completely sabotage all my BW techniques but also keep DS #1 and myself from losing it?
-Dani
Mommy to William Arthur - 10/23/09
and Benjamin Atticus - 05/05/11




Offline *Kara*

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Re: 4 week old nap struggles - I'm getting anxious!
« Reply #1 on: June 02, 2011, 03:19:35 am »
Absolutely fine to AP for the first few months!  Many moms do simply because babies that young can get off course so easily and get into an OT disaster!  If the sling works, run with it :)



Offline lilredhen89

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Re: 4 week old nap struggles - I'm getting anxious!
« Reply #2 on: June 03, 2011, 01:58:02 am »
Thanks! Yeah, I noticed that by the end of the day, when he hasn't slept but a few minutes here and there for 6 hours straight, it just gets harder to settle him for BT.  Even when he's in the sling he's a fussy mess once he gets OT.  I think you're right, our best bet is to just avoid that OT monster as much as we can.
-Dani
Mommy to William Arthur - 10/23/09
and Benjamin Atticus - 05/05/11




Offline ZacsMumme

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Re: 4 week old nap struggles - I'm getting anxious!
« Reply #3 on: June 03, 2011, 02:20:44 am »
He does NOT spit the paci out after he falls asleep, and the moment he loses it, he stirs, then wakes up and starts crying.  He is a fairly gassy baby, so perhaps this has something to do with it.
mmm hun have you ruled out reflux...it does seem pretty early for a LO to get it - but some have it from the start. May not be the case, but just thought id put it out there as he may be getting acid pain. Not all refluxers spit up a lot (mine didn't but had terrible pain, the suckling really helps soothe them) Do you know the symptoms and signs to look out for just in case?

Totally agree with PP d whatever works for you and bubs right now, your DS is still so little.  :-* :-*
***Sara***
https://www.facebook.com/tomiandroo


DS1 - Our sensitive soul. Silent reflux.

DS2 Our cheeky chipmunk. Reflux, MSPI.

Offline lilredhen89

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Re: 4 week old nap struggles - I'm getting anxious!
« Reply #4 on: June 03, 2011, 16:01:58 pm »
Thanks for that insight...I don't know the signs of reflux, so I'd love some advice on it.  He has his 1mo checkup on Monday, so perhaps I can talk to the pediatrician about it.  We have a homeopathic remedy called Colic Calm, and I have used it here and there.  It especially seems to help in the early hours of the morning when my breasts are fuller and he gets more foremilk (which I've heard can create more gas).  So, perhaps you are right.
-Dani
Mommy to William Arthur - 10/23/09
and Benjamin Atticus - 05/05/11




Offline mamatolevi

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Re: 4 week old nap struggles - I'm getting anxious!
« Reply #5 on: June 03, 2011, 18:11:41 pm »
Hi there! Congratulations on your new little one! I have no experience with reflux, so I won't suggest he might have it but here is some info:
http://babywhispererforums.com/index.php?topic=654.0
http://babywhispererforums.com/index.php?topic=131957.0
Have a read through, post some questions you have to the wonderful mums over on the colic, reflux & crying boards and be sure to ask the pediatrician at his 1mo checkup. All the best!
xoxoxo
Nikki