Any advice would be great!! New mom!

[Meller]

Hello Ladies! I am new to this board and I am a new mom as well. Sorry this might be long!! I need some helpful suggestions. My son is 9 weeks on tue. and weighs approx. 13lbs. He has been great so far. I read Baby Whisperer as well as Baby wise. They are similar to some degree. Has anyone else read this book?

When DS was born he immediatly was on a 3 hour BF routine. Then at about 4 weeks it all broke loose. He won't nap longer than 1hr. Some days 20min. So I don't know how to keep him on his routine. He falls asleep well on his own but just won't stay asleep. We put him in his crib pretty much from day one. He loves to be awake and is usually very happy when he is, but if I keep him up fpr 1-2 hours...over tired and won't go down. Usually pm. He sleeps very well at night. I do a DF at around 10pm then he sleeps till 4 or 5. then he's up for the day around 7am. He only gets a paci at nap and at night.

I guess I just don't know what to do with the timing thing during the day To keep him on the feed/wake/sleep schedual. Is it o.k. to be awake for awhile then feed then awake for awhile.... I think I fed him every 2-3 hrs yesterday, I might be confusing hunger and tired. He does'nt BF very well sometimes. Bobs on and off and cries..i was told it is coming to fast? Not sure though. It can take 1/2 to 45min to feed. Even when I try and keep him up for 45min-1hr he still only sleeps for 1/2-1hr. I have tried the sh/pat.for a day did'nt work...yah I know stick it out. If I do stick it out will he adjust to sleeping longer on his own? How long should his naps be? How long should he be awake for? I am so confused with all this. Any advice would be great! Thank you ladies.

Mel

[Aarismom]

Hi Mel! Welcome to the boards!

Lets see...it sounds as though you hit the nail on the head...he's a little overtired. Up to about 2 months most babies can only stay awake about an hour max. That means feed, diaper change, maybe a little play time, then back to sleep. Follow your lo's sleepy signs at this point, don't worry about the clock.

In answer to your other question, yes, sometimes wake time ends up being AEAS. That's normal for 40 min naps or less. Just make sure you keep him up no longer than 1-1hr. 15 mins or so. Again, follow his lead sleep wise. Once you see that first yawn, assuming it's not right after he wakes from a nap, get him ready for sleep again with your wind down routine. He should be taking 3 naps a day, 1 2 hr. morning, 1 2 hour afternoon, and one catnap, however, some babies only sleep 45 mins at a shot, and take more than 3 naps a day for awhile. If he's always been like this, maybe you have one of them

If shh/pat is too stimulating, just try one or the other. You can also do the wake to sleep method for naps...go in about 5 mins before he usually wakes, put a hand on his back, and just keep it there. If he wakes fully, use whatever soothing method works best.

Keep your head up, you're doing great!!!

*HUGS*
Sonya =P

[kendallnangie]

I agree, short naps are almost always caused by overstimulation. I did read Babywise... Although they are very similar, I stick with babywhisperer, just because I think that Tracy was a Mom and wrote with a little more compassion.

[Meller]

Thanks for the feedback. This is a hard job I tell yah! Today has been a fight to keep awake to eat...he does'nt then wants to eat every 2 hours!!aargh! Yes I do agree with you on the Babywise...very statistical and makes you feel that it should just work....o.k. why don't they come to my house at 6pm when he has'nt slept since 2pm and refuses to nap!! Well here's hope'n for a better day tommorrow! Do you have any tips on airplane travel? We are taking about an hour flight on sat. And no I can't feed him during flight because there is NO being discreet with him....another daily struggle!! Thanks Mel

[Luisasmum]

Hello and welcome. The coming off the breast and crying scenario sounds very familiar. I also had a lot of milk that flowed very fast and my baby had reflux. We didn't quite get the hang of correct attachment until she was about three months so that was also an issue. I honestly think her mouth was just too small for my enormous boozzies.

On the Babywise subject, I also found this book to be a bit, well, matter of fact. He makes it all sound so easy which gives me the impression that he hasn't really "been there". If you do a search on the net for Gary Ezzo, you will find a lot of speculation about the legitimacy of his credentials. Babywhisperer is by far the best method for teaching your baby how to get to sleep and stay asleep.

Good luck with it all and remember, the newborn stage doesn't last forever.

Oh, and about the plane thing - don't worry about being discreet! When the plane takes off and lands you are going to have to feed bub so his ears don't hurt or you will have a big screamer on your hands. If you still don't feel comfy about BF on the plane, try expressing and getting him to take a bottle. Pigeon peristaltic teats are really good if you are worried about nipple confusion.