4 Week Old up Every Hour at Night....

My son was like that too, wouldnt sleep very long. I had him sleep with me and when he would start to wake up I would "plug him in" and I would go back to sleep and when he was done eating he would let go. I tell you I got sooo much more sleep doing that. And he would sleep longer because he felt more secure being closer to me and to the food source.

Good luck!

I am sorry, that is not fun. If he can go 3 hours between feedings that shows that he can probably do that at night. Sounds like he just needs a few extra calories pumped in him during the day.
Have you heard of Cluster Feeding? It is when you feed them about every 2 hours a few times before bed to pump the extra calories in them and help them sleep longer. A really good book that describes this is "The Baby Whisperer: Solves All Your Problems by . . . " SUper helpful book.
Some other solutions would be:
Also, he may not be getting enough in one feeding. Is he feeding as well/as long, etc. at night? Or does he fall asleep before being finished?
Another possibility may be that he has some sort of reflux when laying down that wakes him up. But do you lay him down during the day and there is not a problem with this?

Also, just a warning, but babies have a growth spurt around 4-6 weeks, so that may be around the corner where he will want to eat more often than every 3 hours during the day. Ridiculous I know.
But my best piece of advice is check out that book.:)

Hi,
I so understand where you are! I remember those days....What really helps is to make sure that your baby is really swaddled tightly and feels secure. When feeding, keep just a dim light on- nightlight or light on dimmer switch works well. Don't talk or interact with baby except calming words, singing softly etc. That way he/she will get used to nighttime being for sleeping and not interacting/playing. keep baby close to you-we co-slept in the same bed- and it worked well for us. Give it time- your baby will adjust. Congrats on your new one-- :)

molly

I was really scared to co sleep with my lo too, but i was so exhausted! So I tried it, and now I wouldn't have it any other way! She sleeps all night now and I can sleep in because in the morning I just latch her on and we both go back to sleep. You'll be surprised at how cautious you can be while sleeping. I used to be a heavy sleeper, but not since sleeping with her. I'd atleast give it a try and get a good nights sleep. best of luck!

It sounds like he may have his days and nights confused. Encouraging him to stay awake more during the day, specifically before bed, can help. Also, swaddling helps give a secure feeling. Keep the room dark and quiet at night.

Few people realize that having the baby in their room can actually disturb the baby's sleep. He can smell your milk, he hears you breathe, talk, roll over, etc.

My son had a womb sounds bear that played rhythmic heartbeat and wooshing sounds that he found very soothing. If he startled or woke out of pattern, turning the womb sounds on would soothe him right back to sleep.

As for co-sleeping, I'm not a fan. When I was pregnant I thought I would be, however, once my son was born I felt different. I couldn't sleep with him in our bed. I was afraid of rolling on him, putting a blanket or pillow over his face or even dropping him out of the bed onto the floor. In fact, I didn't feel comfortable sharing a bed with him at all until recently, and he's 2 1/2 yrs old now.

I nursed my son every hour or so during the day and then he would sleep for 6-12 hours at night starting at 4 weeks. He's 7 months old and is a great sleeper still. I never co-slept because I was too scared. We keep our room dark so I never felt comfortable. But I'd have nightlights in the hall and in the kids rooms and I swaddled my son. That seemed to help also. Good luck and congratulations!

You can buy a co-sleeper at various outlets. I would check with Burlington Coat Factory first. They are inexpensive (compared to others) and you can order Baby Depot items on line. There are different kinds of co-sleepers. You can get on that goes in your bed, one that attaches to the side of your bed or even one that sits next to your bed and opens up up to your bed. You'll have to decide which style is best for you. Good luck.

Bring him in bed with you. It's really the best way to get sleep at this point. My youngest is 6 months old. Now we put him in his crib until we go to bed, then bring him in bed with us for the rest of the night. It's so much easier to nurse him when he's right there, and we both get more sleep. Give it a try. Whatever helps you get through the first months. I think being close to Mama helps them sleep better too.

Good luck to you,
T.
Barefoot Books Ambassador
www.ReadandGrow.com

My new born fed every hour in the beginning and it nearly killed me. For us the reason was that she was an ineffective eater and was not getting a full feeding. I had to pump after a feeding and supplement with expressed milk. then she was able to go three hours between feedings. Is your baby gaining weight well? If so, this is probably not your problem.

I know those days of a newborn can be so tough! I am wondering if you could try and get him to eat more during the day? Babies need so many calories a day. So if he isnt getting them during the day, then would understandably be up all night eating. I know its hard to get a newborn to do anything other than what it wants to do, but maybe try and see if this works.
Hope this helps.

Never have an infant sleep in your bed--many die due to suffication.
Your baby does not need to eat every hour during the night--that is overkill on the feeding schedule and you. Make sure you drink lots of fluids and that you are producing enough milk. It may just take alittle time for his sleeping time to become longer. Also, just because a baby cries at night doesn't mean you must rush right in there to pick him up. Give him a few minutes and see if he will go back to sleep. Good luck

I truly believe that co-sleeping will only increase his need to feed. !! He'll smell you & want to feed....it happens frequently.

My vote is for swaddling, making sure he's awake enough between feedings during the day, & relying on a swing. Good Luck!

No budget peace of mind... use a dresser drawer in the center of your bed.

Higher budget peace of mind... ther are cosleeping platform thingmy's that attach to the side of your mattress with walls on 3 sides.

Are you swaddling the baby? That might help settle him better for sleep. Also, let the baby sleep during the day if he wants to, but put him in an active room with some natural sunlight. The light will help regulate his clock, getting him on track for night sleep, and days for awake.
Hope this helps!

I co-slept with my son who is now seven. I am currently co-sleeping with my daughter who is 7 months. She did the same thing as your little one at first... also she was very colicy. Sometimes she would just cry for a few hours in the middle of the night also. In the beginning I slept in a recliner holding her on a boppy. Then I moved to the couch where I also held her and just laid down with her still in my arms. Then after about two months we moved to the bedroom. I always keep her right under my arm next to the boob while I am on my side facing her. I always sleep in that position...I just switch sides as needed. I also have a bed gate on the side of the bed that is not against the wall just to be safe...but one of my arms is around her at all times. I do not move at all while sleeping, it's just a mommy thing...I know I'm not supposed to move so I don't, even while asleep. My husband is not so good at being aware while asleep so he chose to sleep on the couch for now. It has been the best thing for all of us because we get much more sleep this way. However, I am going to transition her to her own bed in the same room soon because she is nursing less and sleeping longer stretches now.