my 8wk son doesnt sleep well, what can i do to help him sleep longer than the 1-3hr at a time he gets?

Answer 1

Heather, I know everyone who mentions putting rice cereal in the "night time" bottle is getting a "thumbs-down" by several people, but I don't care...I can tell you from experience that it may help you out...I used it for both of my kids. With the first baby (12 years ago), I used it to supplement him at night and it also helped him get into a longer sleeping pattern. I didn't let him go to bed "with" the bottle, however. With my second baby (21 months old), my pediatrician recommended it for her at 6 weeks because she had reflux and it's supposed to actually help with that, so it's not going to hurt an 8 week old. Both kids are healthy, happy...and the baby sleeps from 8:30-7:30...every night. The measurements were 1 tablespoon rice per 2 ounces of formula. I would start out with 1 tablespoon period, and gradually work up to the 1 tablespoon per 2 ounces. Ok, everyone...hit me with your "thumbs down!" You can't deny what I've experienced for myself. Good luck Heather!!

Answer 2

My son is 19 months and still wakes up a few times a week ,, my daughter ,7 years , was a great sleeper, that is after 4 months, ..I feel your pain!! or dark rings under your eyes that is.
What worked for me is , stick to a routine , don't try and keep them up , then they are over tired and wont sleep at all!
a good bath and a rub down of lotion a book ,dark room ,and a rocking chair to set the mood ,let them feel safe and warm for a bit , nested in the nursing position [ breastfeeding or not] .....all helped me . At first it was rocky , key is routine
they strive for it, after a few [3-4] days you will see things just fall into place.
Just remember they feel your frustration so take a deep breath and go at it as though it was the first time , you can breakdown later. in front of the baby it has to be sweet mom
[And I found he slept sweeter if I threw my t-shirt from the day before in next to him[ unwashed of course] to hold on to my scent.
Good Luck , just remember , it will pass and you are not alone!!

Answer 3

Frequent waking protects against SIDS; heavier-sleeping newborns and young infants are at a greater risk of SIDS death. Babies are wired to wake and feed frequently for the first several months, both for growth reasons, and also because their autonomic systems are not quite mature enough to be safe for long periods of deep sleep.

As his system matures, and his growth slows down a bit, he will sleep for longer periods. When this will happen is different for every baby, though-- don't expect it to happen at 3, 4, 6, or whatever month just because the neighbor's baby, your cousin's 4th child, best friend's "perfect" baby, or whoever did it at some age with some "miracle" method.

Co-sleeping worked for my family, for many reasons: ease of breastfeeding, skin contact & intimacy with baby, and obviously as a way for everyone to get more sleep! It's not the answer for everyone, but for us it was a great way to meet our baby's nighttime needs and maximize our sleep.

At the very least, snuggle and cuddle him during those night feedings. The day will come, much sooner than you expect it to, that you will look back on them fondly and wish he was still that tiny and need you as much as he did then... Babies don't keep. ;)

Answer 4

First of all, please understand that babies are babies. They are learning everything all at once. I am sure he is sleeping "well" just for short periods of time. I know it can be a race of endurance for a new mom, but your job is to make sure that he is comfortable, dry, and satisfied.

Babies wake up for lots of reasons. They can be thirsty (newborns need to drink water) or they feel things going on in their little bellies. Gas is a waker-upper.

Make sure the baby is not constipated. That will surely cause discomfort for him. Make sure you do not let him sleep in a carrier. That position is not good for newborns because their breathing is more difficult.

Babies love to hear their mother's heat beat. It's something they are familiar with. Let the baby fall asleep on your chest.

Never prop a bottle and leave a baby to sleep. Milk will trickle down into their ear tubes and cause infection.

Sleep when the baby sleeps. Newborns change so quickly, it won't be long before he will sleep for hours and hours.

Be patient.

Answer 5

Babies that age aren't designed to sleep for more than a few hours at a time. They need fed every 2-4 hours. Some babies may go a little longer or not that long, but that's the reason they don't sleep well, they wake when their bellies are empty. He's 8 weeks old, try putting a little rice cereal in his bottle before bedtime, worked for all three of my children and they slept through the night by 8 weeks. If you don't feel comfortable putting it in his bottle, mix some up in a bowl with breast milk or formula, make sure it's really runny, just barely thicker than the milk and spoon feed him very little bits. I'm sure if he goes to sleep for the night on a belly boost he'll sleep at least 6 hours, it may take a little getting used to for him, but I give it a few days and you'll both be sleeping like a baby.

Answer 6

that's normal, it would help you out more if you let him do most of the sleeping in his crib that way he won't get use to sleeping with you all the time. Babies that young need plenty of rest, but when he gets about 3 months old he won't be so tired, and maybe you can be more active with him during the day that way he will sleep all night. You know, doing floor activties, and showing him colors and baby activites. But he's really tired so they do sleep all day and stay up all night, its normal...soon you'll be able to help him understand.

Answer 7

a bath usually works or rock him to sleep. my daughter loved it when i rocked her to sleep and she woke up every 2 1/2 hrs during the night. try that it might help

Answer 8

If hes waking every 1 - 3 hours than he probably needs to b/c hes growing and needs the food

Answer 9

is he breast fed? i had that with myson but he would just wake up for feed every 1-3 hours. if hes not then it will pass cause my brothersw daughter was like that(now 3 months) and him and his wife just alternate feeding and changes maybe he doenst like having a wet diaper( even just a little) it will pass... good luck

Answer 10

Thats all that a baby does sleep at that particular age. Here's an idea though:

When you are putting him to sleep, let him suck on a bottle, not a big one but about four ounces. He'll stay asleep for atleast four hours that way.

Other than that, wait untill he gets older. Babies don't usually sleep all night.