grunting, sleeping (or lack of) and other stuff - please help

[maggie2]

Dd is 4 weeks and I'm trying to figure out what the deal is.  When I try to put her down on her back, she does not sleep well at all.  She makes these horrible grunting noises all night long - really - it's like she doesn't fall asleep at all - just grunts and then starts to fuss and wake up.  So that's my first question - I was wondering if this maybe was indicative of her being uncomfortable - like having reflux or something, although she is content during and immediately after feedings so I don't think she has reflux.  The grunting sound is the same noise she makes when she's having a BM, so I was thinking that it may just be gas?  But she literally does it almost all night long - what can I do?  I tried having her in the car seat for 2 nights now, and she has slept a LOT more soundly, but I don't want to get her into the habit of sleeping in the car seat!

My next question - she takes FOREVER to get to sleep.  I sit with her, rock her, give her a paci if she feels like taking it, and when I think she's drifted off, I try to put her down (either in the car seat or her crib).  Within 2-10 minutes, she's usually up   I guess this is not so much of a question as a "needing to vent" comment.... sorry - venting complete!!!

What do you all think about the whole grunting thing?  I know babies make a ton of noise when they sleep, but this is over and beyond - reallly.  I really think it's related to gas   Can that really prevent them from sleeping well? 

[ryan's mum]

Ryan made those grunting noises all night long too and he slept better in his carseat as he was more upright ,Ryan does have reflux so i don't know anything different though .You say DD is content immediately after feedings but what about the time inbetween feeding ?any gurgling , spit up or hiccups ? I would imagine gas would cause pain too so the grunting noises could just be down to gas too ,i am a little paranoid about reflux 'cos we've had such a hard time of it .

[maggie2]

hmmm - she does get the hiccups a lot - is that a symptom of reflux?  She doesn't spit up excessively (although I know that doesn't necessarily rule out reflux - ds had silent reflux).  I just thought that since she was content during feeds then she was alright...  but she definately does sleep better upright...

thanks for your reply!!!

[ryan's mum]

frequent hiccups are a symptom of reflux .We are at the stage where Ryan is sick when he hiccups for too long again  we had the break off meds for his endoscopy but the symptoms are slowly returning again . Have a look at the 101 reflux symtpoms sticky thread in the reflux forum . Like i said i am a little paranoid when it comes to reflux so i hope you get other replies from mum's of non refluxers