Please please please help!!

[CMcDx]

I have a 5 week old... who doesn't sleep!!

I'm getting so worried now.

In the first few weeks he was sleeping about 6 hours in a 24 hour period but even less so now.

Yesterday I took him to the out of hours GP after he was awake for 20 hours straight. He was screaming non stop. GP had no concerns.

Today he has slept a total of 3 hours - all in 5-15 min bursts.

He is shattered, his eyes roll back in to his head and his eyelids drop but he just will not sleep. He cries most of the time.

The longest he's ever slept for, in one go, since birth is 3 hours.

I have mentioned to the health visitor and obviously taken him to OOH GP. He's due a 6 week check but no appt received yet - phoned the docs and they said he's pencilled in for the 8 week mark due to Dr annual leave.

Has anyone got any tips?

 

[Akua]

You poor, poor thing. This sounds like you’re exhausted.

Does he sleep whilst you hold him? Is the feeding going ok?

 

[CMcDx]

He settles when I hold him but again doesn't sleep. He's constantly fighting it.

I'm breastfeeding with the.odd formula bottle here and there.

 

[Akua]

Have you tried keeping a food diary? Sometimes baby’s are intolerant to something you’re eating and is passed through the breastmilk. Write down everything you eat, and try cutting something out for a few days at a time. It can be best to start cutting our acidic or spicy things as these can contribute to reflux - even orange juice counts as acidic so have a good look at what you’re eating. Are you confident you’re preparing the formula right? (Don’t mean to be rude - just making sure!)

Baby massage can also have a good effect on unsettled baby’s too.

You could also try using a shirt you’ve worn instead of a bottom sheet in his Moses basket or whatever he’s meant to sleep in. That way it smells of you instead of laundry and sometimes that can trick them into letting you get a few hours peace. Aleernatively trying to put him down on something that rocks or vibrates can help?

 

[Akua]

Also (sorry for keeping waffling on) does he show any signs of discomfort? Does he keep pulling his knees up to his tummy or anything? Normal temperature?

 

[CMcDx]

Tbh I'm not really eating much at all but I'll give the diary a go. I'm preparing the formula as per the instructions and waiting for any froth to disappear.

He's always looking as if hes in discomfort/pain. I burp him after every feed and he does the toilet often. He's sick a lot. I've tried baby massage. Normal temp. I've mentioned all these things to DR and HV but again they're not concerned.

I really really don't know what to do.

 

[Chase]

Has he been checked for lip tie/tongue tie? That can

 

[EllieH]

Have you tried sleeping him on his front - I know there is an increased chance of SIDS but my daughter much preferred to sleep on her tummy, only way I could get some piece.

On a side note, eating plenty gives your milk a good supply.

Don’t stop going to the doctors though if you feel something is wrong, sometimes they need a kick up the arse to refer you, Mummy intuition is always right xx

 

[Loula]

There's a growth spurt around 5 weeks could be that x

 

[WinterWolf]

I had constant reflux as a baby and never slept. Docs fobbed if off as normal but mum kept fighting. Turned out I had 4 kidneys which was causing constant UTIs and reflux. The UTIs hurt and the reflux was burning my throat. Doc gave me some UTI medicine and throat soothing stuff and I was fine after that. Not saying that's what your problem is but if baby looks to be in pain, he probably is Keep hassling those doctors!

 

[MissKW]

Is he sick with both breast milk and formula? Or is it just formula? When my son was born I wanted to exclusively breastfeed but hubby worried in case he wasn't getting enough (he read horror stories befor he was born) but after trying formula twice he threw it straight back up and that's when I put my foot down with hubby and demanded he let me just breastfeed. He has never had a bottle since and he's never thrown up, never had colic, never had reflux, never screamed and sleeps amazing. He's a very happy content baby.
My older sister was a nightmare as a baby, always screaming, never slept etc but was breastfed, we now know she had a milk intolerance but they never realised at the time. A friend recently had a baby with the same issue and it took some trial and error but she's now a happy little lady too.
If your baby is screaming and can't sleep there is a reason for it, you just need to find what it is.
Until then just keep him as close to you as possible, Co sleep safely or try a Co sleeper and just comfort him as much as you can.
I hope you manage to get to the bottom of it shortly the poor little thing