Please help - no sleep!

[WhoahThereCrazyHorse]

Ds (6.5 weeks) has slept for 1.5 hours in total since 10pm last night, the rest of the time has been spent with me trying to get him to sleep. He's not crying as long as he's on me, but is constantly moving his arms and legs, 'chewing' and staring. I think he's ridiculously overtired but I just don't know what to do with him.

I've been in tears, am so tired and am starting to wish we'd never had him, which is obviously a horrendous think to say and not what I really think, I love him to bits.

Has anyone been through similar?

[Hyperballad]

Is this most nights or just a one off tonight.

I think for tonight, as you really are at the end if your tether, just let him sleep on you. And start again tomorrow night getting him to sleep by himself.

Warming up his mattress, swaddling, white noise, winding are all things you can try to get him to sleep in his cot/ basket but tonight just do the easy thing. Cuddle cuddle and cuddle!

[Hyperballad]

(I had a random night like this a few nights ago, I had 2 hours sleep all night and I wanted to cry! My babe is 5 months now, but generally he settles and sleeps ok, still wants feeding every 2 hours though!)

[WhoahThereCrazyHorse]

It's a one off, he's a crap sleeper normally but not this bad. Although his 'one offs' are getting worse and more frequent!!

He wouldn't even sleep on me, was too overtired even for that, I've walked him round in the sling and he's dropped off now so I'm going to try and half recline and get some sleep until dd gets up! Too scared to try taking him out of the sling....

Thanks for replying, you brought me back from the brink!

And if anyone else reads this, would love any advice you can give!

[littleredmonkey]

I have a ewan the sleep sheep got it off amazon. When I feed him during the night I put him on. He makes quiet womb noises.
Sends mine to sleep
Also wArm his bed up with hot wAter bottle so toasty when he is placed in. I also dont stimulate in anywAy boring boring very low lights to feed no talking.
Get someone to help u today so u can have some sleep even only an hour. I am planning on using mother in law for an hours sleep later as also shite sleep
I sympathise with you it's hard work but you are doing well.
Sending sleep clouds your way

[JesusInTheCabbageVan]

OP I have a Ewan which DS never much took to. If you PM me your address, I'll send him to you FOC. Worth a shot

[WhoahThereCrazyHorse]

Jesus that's really kind of you, we've already got one! Hasn't worked for us unfortunately...

[JesusInTheCabbageVan]

Ah well Hope things improve for you soon, I really do. I know the 'wish I'd never had him' feeling, you just end up feeling horrible, sick and so conflicted.

Other things that might work: lavendar oil or other baby aromatherapy treatments, lambskin (stop using it once he can roll over), one of those rocking cots... also these www.hanging-cradle.com/ Apparently babies are best soothed by an up-down motion at a certain number of bpm which can be achieved in a suspended cot.

Best of luck!

[Loislane78]

Sympathies OP, the early weeks are tough and I only have one. He's only little so probably pretty normal to want to be on you 24/7.

What the others have said really:

Hot water bottle to heat moses basket
2 blankets rolled up either side or swaddle
Something that smells like you

Personally I co-slept when it was like this and persevered with transferring to the basket when I had the energy/LO was in a good mood.

Got a lot easier for me at 8 weeks so hang in! You'll get a smile soon too, just when you thought you couldn't take any more :)