Does anyone have any tips on helping an infant sleep longer? My baby is 5 weeks old. She has infant reflux, is on a babt form of zantac and sleeps on a wedge that slants her up a tiny bit to help stop the acid from backing it's way up from her tummy. She is on soy formula right now which seems to be helping a bit, and eats every 2 1/2 to 3 hours at night...same as during the day. Problem is, she doesn't take as much in during the night (maybe 2 oz per feeding, when during the day she takes 3 or 4) and she is a restless sleeper, constantly moving around and looking uncomfortable. I don't want to feed her any more than she wants to take, but I sense she doesn't stay full for very long and maybe this is why shes so restless. She naps well (not too much during the day, and goes down for bed naturally around 9:30). Any tips to help her sleep more peacefully and longer? Can't use rice cereal or anything to thicken the formula...she has a very sensitive belly. Thank you!
2007-02-15 01:26:39 · 3 answers · asked by kath_08012 3 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Newborn & Baby
Ooops...I meant "baby" form of Zantac. Obviously I need to sleep longer as well! :)
2007-02-15 01:27:41 · update #1
Its actually quite normal for your baby to waking this often at 5 weeks. Babies only have tiny stomachs and so an only drink small amounts therefore they hungry after a couple of hours. Do not put anything extra into her bottle, babies shouldn't have anything apart from milk until at least 20 weeks (recommended is 6 months to start solids).
What you can do is help your baby distinguish between night and day. During the day when she is awake play with her, keep the room bright, and don't turn down normal household noise. At night when she wakes for feeds don't play with her. Keep the lights and noise level low, and don't spend too much time talking to her. Before long she should begin to figure out that nighttime is for sleeping.
2007-02-15 01:43:18 · answer #1 · answered by shaz 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Its' very normal for her to wake up to eat every 3 hours or so. Don't give her any solids until at least 4 months old. Especially if she already has tummy problems. Her tummy just isn't developed enought o digest the solids yet. Getting up and down all night is just part of it. My son did this for a full year. I was ready to pull my hair out and once I got him off the bottle at 12 months, he started sleeping all night. Try to sleep when she sleeps. I know it's hard but you have to try and rest too. When my hubby was off I would make him watch my son so I could take a good long nap. If you try to do this when you can you'll fell much better.
2007-02-15 01:40:16 · answer #2 · answered by cinnycinda 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
My baby did the exact same thing!!!! I had to put her on Alimentum and that helps. Also, I bought a product called colic calm (as a matter of fact I just ordered two more bottles) and it has worked wonders for her reflux. The first time I gave it to her she slept so still. No grunting or squirming. It is all homeopathic so the way I see it, it is either going to work or its not. Plus no side effects.... Good Luck and this will get better
2007-02-15 01:39:17 · answer #3 · answered by jparrish97 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋