I'm losing my mind 
7 week old D'S just will NOT sleep. He sometimes nurses to sleep, but not often and usually we have to rock him for ages until he sleeps..and then the minute we put him down, he wakes up again. He will mostly stay asleep if we hold him (but sometimes just wakes himself up randomly) but will not tolerate being put down. The problem is that I have a 2.5 year old DD and so can't hold him all the time 
Advice, commiseration, anything welcome!
pear / 1737 posts
Can you wear him to free your hands? And what about a baby sing that he can be snuggled cozily in?
apricot / 347 posts
@Mrs. Goose: he won't be worn unless he's asleep already, but I can do that around the house.. he's got a swing, hates it
wonderful cherry / 21504 posts
That is really really really hard. He is gaining weight and otherwise healthy, yes? Are you swaddling and white noise? Have you tried a rock and play instead of a flat crib? Does he fall asleep in the stroller? And is your toddler in school or anything so you get even half a break sometimes? It's so hard balancing both of their needs.
persimmon / 1111 posts
I'm sorry-- I'm currently under my 12 week old who was the same way. A few things helped:
- have you tried sideline nursing in your bed? My DS will fall asleep while nursing and we both get sleep. I know cosleeping is probably the last thing you want to do, but for is it was the only thing that taught him to sleep somewhat independently (he'd roll to his back and my hand would be on his belly)
- have you tried sleeping on his stomach (I know-- I'm a walking SIDS risk with these suggestions, but hear me out). Babies sleep much more soundly on their bellies. If you can get him to fall asleep soundly (preferably his belly on your belly), then you can likely roll him onto his back in your bed or even transfer him.
-have you tried different carriers? I put DS in a carrier with a sweatshirt zipped over us and go outside for a walk. He fusses for 10 minutes tops and then is out. Most of our naps happen in the carrier.
Good luck!
kiwi / 598 posts
I'm sorry you're dealing with this. You must be so frustrated.
DS at that age could not be put down immediately after closing eyes and what helped me was reading about the differences between adult and infant sleep cycles. Apparently adults can enter into deep (non-REM) sleep immediately but babies start their cycles with active (REM) sleep. Signs your baby is still in REM are eye movement, limb movements and sleep grins. I generally had to wait 15 minutes after falling asleep while being held for a final shudder or twitch that let me know he was in deep sleep. At this point he was mostly safe to put down. Not waiting for that twitch meant he would cry as soon as I tried putting him down. I hope this helps and you find some reprieve one way or another!
wonderful clementine / 24134 posts
Is he swaddled? I think at this stage (yes this is just a stage) you do whatever you have to. Swing sleep, Cosleep, baby wear etc.
apricot / 486 posts
@imbali: I'm sorry you are going through this! DD was a terrible sleeper at that age too. She would fall asleep soundly in her car seat. We would put her in there and rock the car seat and she'd be out. Then we would transfer her after about 15 minutes. Good luck and I hope you get some rest soon!
apricot / 347 posts
thanks so much for the replies everyone!
@Foodnerd81: Yup, gaining weight and healthy, although he has MSPI but we're dealing with that and it's muuuch better. DD also had it and it didn't affect her sleep this much so don't think it's that? He refuses to be swaddled eh. He has a rock and play, and we tilt his crib but no luck with that yet. He wont tolerate being in the stroller at ALL, will just scream non stop til I pick him up It's SO hard balancing them both, you're right - DD goes to morning nursery 4x week so that's pretty good, it's just 12pm - 6pm with both of them not sleeping that makes me want to die
@Pollywog: So sorry you're going through it too! I do side nurse at night, and that works to get him to sleep but then we HAVE to cosleep b/c he wakes up when we try put him back in his crib. urgh. I'll have to try the belly sleep and a different carrier...thanks!
@Raspberry: Thanks for that! It's helpful to know the cues. He unfortunately seems to wake up whether it's been 1 minute or 30 since he fell asleep 
he even wakes himself up just in my arms, idk how. but good to know the cues so at least i can be sure when NOT to put him down!
@T.H.O.U.: Yea, I just worry about bad habits and how long it's going to take to break them later although I know you're right and we just have to survive it. He wont be swaddled, just fights it like mad.
@schubr03: I WISH we had a fail-safe that worked like that! He hates the car, we have to go in it everyday to drop and collect DD to/from school and he cannot stand it. I'm not sure if it's the angle maybe cos his reflux is quite bad
wonderful clementine / 24134 posts
@imbali: 7 weeks is still in the "fourth trimester" so you really can't create bad habits! Just survive!
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