My son is 7 weeks old. Does anyone out there have any suggestions on getting him to sleep through the night? I had no problem with my daughter, but am having difficulty with my son.

Jedida - posted on 03/23/2009

make sure your son eat well at night very full dont overfeed him then we wont wake up!

Sejal - posted on 03/22/2009

It is too early for him to sleep whole night as such little babies to feed frequently as their little tummys are drained in just one or two waste cycles of intestine....so as of now you have to bear and keep trying.But after he 16/20 weeks you can try to change his daytime sleeping cycle and once you introduce semi solid food like gerber or something like that make sure you give him the last meal of day heavy so then his tummy will be full and will sleep for entire night peacefully....that is what I had done after my daughter was 4 months old and believe me she slept whole night till date and I myself used to get up at 3 am to give her a midnight feed.

Karen - posted on 03/21/2009

Give him a warm bath just before his time for bed. It always put my kids to sleep. I am a Grandma now. I have 4 kids. 2 are twins. Hope it helps.

Michelle - posted on 03/21/2009

pacifier. children need this nurturing method. suckling is calming to them. feeding every two hours. make sure he burps good. maybe a cradle that swings will help, the constant movement helps them.each child is different.

MarthaLynn - posted on 03/21/2009

And I wouldn't put ANYTHING extra in his bottle at only 7 weeks.  Then again, I breastfeed

MarthaLynn - posted on 03/21/2009

Are you breastfeeding or bottle feeding?  Does he sleep with you or alone?  At 7 weeks, he will only sleep for a few hours anyway, before he needs to eat again.  I take turns with my hubby getting up with my 6 month old.  Wes will get up and put Britton in his swing, and sleep on the couch.  I'd just like to take this opportunity to thank Graco for making those swings...LOL

Marwa - posted on 03/21/2009

i have 3 children, 4yrs 1 yr and 4 months, the 4 year old slept though the night since day 1 the 1 yr old still wakes up  at least once for a bottle and goes back to sleep until now and the baby sleeps all night since she was about 2 months.  your child might be like my 2nd one.  or he just might be feeding well enough b4 he goes to sleep.  try to feed him well b4 he goes down for the night, also try not to have him nap too often during the day. good luck!

Edie - posted on 03/21/2009

My son did the same thing. We started giving him a weak rice-cereal solution in the bottle. It allowed him to fee just enough full to sleep through the night.

ME - posted on 03/21/2009

My son is 13 months old, and still doesn't sleep through the night...at 7 weeks he was still only sleeping for 2-3 hours. Don't rush him, he will get there eventually. The two things that I"ve found that help him get to sleep at night are a specific routine (dinner, bath, rub down with lotion, then jamies, book, and bed), and until he was 8 months old, we kept him swaddled while sleeping. He may have gas or colic...if that's the case, look into gripe water (safe at six weeks) an all-natural tincture that helps settle the stomach...you can find it at walgreens. Good luck!

Julia - posted on 03/21/2009

Quoting Tamara:

Quoting Mollie:

I read the book " becoming Baby Wise" and it really helped... it's focus is getting babies into good sleep patterns... very easy to read and it really does help. My daughter slept through the night at 7 wks and is a very happy child. you can find it in any store. hope all goes well.

Babywise is a DANGEROUS book for babies.  From www.ezzo.info: "Babywise and Preparation for Parenting (also known as Let the Children Come: Along the Infant Way) have been criticized by hundreds of professionals in pediatric medicine, human lactation, psychology, anthropology, child development, and theology. Problems have been associated with these programs -- cases of slow weight gain, failure to thrive, depressed babies, even hospitalization. Its feeding recommendations were the subject of a warning sent out by the AAP."

I have 3 children...and have come from a large family myself.  I have used the methods in the Babywise book  and my children have all slept through the night from 8 weeks at the latest! ..my almost 7week baby did 7 1/2 hours the other night!   They are all thriving children, do not have any psychological problems, they are happy and contented.    If you read this book and take from it what you like...adjust it to fit you and your family.   There will be days where you just go with the babies cues (growth spurt days, or days where he's not well) but on normal days a 3 hourly routine is very normal at this age...even 4hourly if your baby is able.    I would feed him every 3 hours for a start to get him into a routine...get the feeding settled and the sleep and play time will naturally fit in!  Once you've got him into a 3 hourly routine...gradually stretch it out to 4 hours.  I do a 'FLEXIBLE ROUTINE' eg: If my baby cries for food at 1:30pm and isn't due for his 4 hourly feeding 'till 2 pm I will feed him at 1:30pm....or the other way...if he's still asleep at 2pm...I won't wake him till 2:30pm for a feed.....exception...let him sleep as long as he likes during the night!!  let him wake up for his feeds.   This is the only thing I've adjusted out of the babywise book as I don't believe in a firm, on the dot 4 hourly routine for every feed....that's the only place where this book fails in my view...but as I say read it and take from it what you like...or not at all...it's your family.

This is what I did with my 3 children and I believe it works...so did my Grandparents and one had 10 children and the other had 8 children....they had to have a routine!!! ( flexible routine) otherwise they wouldn't and couldn't cope with all the other chldren....all I will add turned out normal and healthy!!!   This was knowledge handed down to me and you know what...it's in the babywise book!!!    

Get the feeding sorted and I'm sure the sleeping will naturally work itself out.

All the best.

Ethel - posted on 03/21/2009

i don't have any boys but put some baby cereal in his night time bottle and he will sleep he might just need more food at night i gave my daughters cereal from day one from the hospital and they slept all night good luck

Suzanne - posted on 03/20/2009

The Happiest Baby on the Block DVD really does work. I watched it & applied the techniques when Marleigh was really little. I highly recommend watching it.

Carin - posted on 03/19/2009

There is a dvd called The Happiest Baby on the Block  by Harvey Karp, M.D.   I just borowed it from my cousin but have not watched it yet.  It teaches you the secrets of calming your baby and ways to help your baby sleep longer. She said that it has chnged things for the better for her and her 11 week old son.

Sarah - posted on 03/19/2009

Quoting Tamara:

Quoting Patty:

An old trick is to give the baby a spoon of cereal in the last bottle of the night. You wll have to make sure the nipple works. A full belly helps the baby to sleep all night. Good luck!

Not only is cereal in the bottle a dangerous practice due to it being a choking hazard, it is also linked to obesity, food allergies, and diabetes.  Solids at night do not help a child sleep through the night. 

From Kellymom:

"Doctors and other experts recommend that you never give baby cereal in a bottle unless recommended by baby's doctor for a specific medical condition. Here are some of their reasons:

It is a choking hazard.
The cereal takes away from the amount of milk in the bottle (adds carbohydrates and dilutes the nutrient density), and baby may not get adequate milk volume for proper growth and development.
Baby is being given a higher concentration of calories without being able to regulate her own intake. This can lead to weight problems in the future."

 

http://www.kellymom.com/nutrition/solids...

Tamara, I think I love you.  Ditto!

Sarah - posted on 03/19/2009

Quoting Tamara:

Quoting Yolanda:

Have you thought of giving him baby cereal and a little fruit in his night time bottle

This is absolutely contraindicated for babies, especially a child this young.  Rice and other foods in the bottle are a choking hazard, can lead to obesity, food allergies, and other maladies.  OP, please disregard this dangerous advice.

Ditto.  And also ditto her previous post - 7 weeks is VERY young to be STTN.  My DD is nearly 4 months and she still wakes for a nighttime bottle.

Crystal - posted on 03/19/2009

All kids are different.  My 2 are very different.  My son slept through the night at 6-7ms.  My daughter didn't start sleeping through the night until she was 10-11ms.  When my son was a baby he wouldn't go to bed until 10-11pm and my daughter goes at 8pm.  Also my son slept in his crib from about the 5 day he was home from hospital.  My daughter on the other hand slept in her infant rocker in my room for 2 months.

Your little one is still too young to sleep totally through the night.  Have patience, and good luck.

Kerry - posted on 03/19/2009

Routine! Bath! Mum Time! Bed will take a little time but It sure does work! I am a Mum of 3 which were all good sleepers, well most of the time!! But someone gave me that advice and it sure works x

Maxine - posted on 03/19/2009

If he wakes at certain times try to ster him 15mins before he normally wakes this will help stop his body clock from waking him good luck xx

Tamara - posted on 03/19/2009

Quoting Patty:

An old trick is to give the baby a spoon of cereal in the last bottle of the night. You wll have to make sure the nipple works. A full belly helps the baby to sleep all night. Good luck!

Not only is cereal in the bottle a dangerous practice due to it being a choking hazard, it is also linked to obesity, food allergies, and diabetes.  Solids at night do not help a child sleep through the night. 

From Kellymom:

"Doctors and other experts recommend that you never give baby cereal in a bottle unless recommended by baby's doctor for a specific medical condition. Here are some of their reasons:

http://www.kellymom.com/nutrition/solids...

Tamara - posted on 03/19/2009

Quoting Mollie:

I read the book " becoming Baby Wise" and it really helped... it's focus is getting babies into good sleep patterns... very easy to read and it really does help. My daughter slept through the night at 7 wks and is a very happy child. you can find it in any store. hope all goes well.

Babywise is a DANGEROUS book for babies.  From www.ezzo.info: "Babywise and Preparation for Parenting (also known as Let the Children Come: Along the Infant Way) have been criticized by hundreds of professionals in pediatric medicine, human lactation, psychology, anthropology, child development, and theology. Problems have been associated with these programs -- cases of slow weight gain, failure to thrive, depressed babies, even hospitalization. Its feeding recommendations were the subject of a warning sent out by the AAP."

Patty - posted on 03/19/2009

An old trick is to give the baby a spoon of cereal in the last bottle of the night. You wll have to make sure the nipple works. A full belly helps the baby to sleep all night. Good luck!

Mollie - posted on 03/19/2009

I read the book " becoming Baby Wise" and it really helped... it's focus is getting babies into good sleep patterns... very easy to read and it really does help. My daughter slept through the night at 7 wks and is a very happy child. you can find it in any store. hope all goes well.

Keri - posted on 03/19/2009

According to most experts sleeping for 4 to 6 hours at a time is considered sleeping through the night. Most babies won't sleep through the night until they are at least 3 months old. Having said that, my first started sleeping about 6 hours at night when he was about 4 months old. My second slept 7 to 9 hours at night until he was about 5 months and then started waking every hour and half until he was almost 2 years old and still woke at least once until he was almost 3. He still wakes most nights, but goes right back to sleep now. Sleeping 2 to 3 hours at night between feedings is pretty typical for a 7 week old baby. If it is taking more than an hour to get your son to sleep he may not be ready for sleep, or he may be overly tired and you may want to try starting the bedtime routine a little earlier. My third child is 5 weeks old and she likes to be awake between 11pm and 2am. It makes for some very long nights for me, but that is her awake time. I don't try to force it I just try to keep her calm and comfortable.

How are you putting your baby to sleep. You might want to try something different. My daughter loves me to walk around with her. You can also try swaddling. That may help. None of my kids liked to be swaddled. My first child I could put in the car and drive around the block and he would go right to sleep, my second hated to be in the car in the dark, and my third just hates the car. Good luck. Just remember he will sleep through the night eventually. Hopefully it will be before he turns 3

Tamara - posted on 03/19/2009

Quoting Janet:

I have four children. The boys took longer to sleep through the night and my girls were less than 2 months when they started sleeping through the night. With my girls I used the book babywise which teaches your baby to be on a schedule. Every three hours was feeding time and then you have wake time and then nap time.  It's a really helpful book and it worked for my girls and some other mothers I know. It's worth giving a try if you are alright with putting your baby on a schedule.

All the best!

OP, Babywise is a dangerous book linked to FTT, dehydration, and attachment problems in babies subjected this unsusbstantiated method of childrearing.  The AAP has come out against this book due to the multiple problems it is caused.  Please visit www.ezzo.info for more reasons why to AVOID this book at all costs.

Following your baby's rhythm is going to be your best bet by far.

User - posted on 03/19/2009

I have four children. The boys took longer to sleep through the night and my girls were less than 2 months when they started sleeping through the night. With my girls I used the book babywise which teaches your baby to be on a schedule. Every three hours was feeding time and then you have wake time and then nap time.  It's a really helpful book and it worked for my girls and some other mothers I know. It's worth giving a try if you are alright with putting your baby on a schedule.

All the best!

Tamara - posted on 03/19/2009

Quoting Yolanda:

Have you thought of giving him baby cereal and a little fruit in his night time bottle

This is absolutely contraindicated for babies, especially a child this young.  Rice and other foods in the bottle are a choking hazard, can lead to obesity, food allergies, and other maladies.  OP, please disregard this dangerous advice.

Tamara - posted on 03/19/2009

At this age, it is very rare for a child to STTN. What's your nighttime routine like? What's his sleeping environment like? Are you sleeping when he does if possible?

http://www.kellymom.com/parenting/sleep/...

Yolanda - posted on 03/19/2009

Have you thought of giving him baby cereal and a little fruit in his night time bottle

Amy - posted on 03/19/2009

Hang in there!  He is still so young.

Lakeya - posted on 03/19/2009

i put my son on a schedule i give him a nice warm bath wit johnsons lavender bath and give him a massage wtith da lavender lotion and a warm bottle

Debbie - posted on 03/19/2009

Thanks to everyone for your good suggestions. I really appreciate the feedback.

Lisa - posted on 03/19/2009

Yes, every baby is different, so your son might not be as good of a sleeper as your daughter.  You can do things to help him, like others have said.  A routine (bath, nighttime lotion, pajamas, bottle, bed...as an example) helps.  Also, when he does wake up in the middle of the night, don't turn on lights, don't talk or play with him, quickly change his diaper, feed him, and lay him back down.  I started doing this early and it helped a lot.

And remember, the definition of sleeping through the night at that age is 5 hours.  He will do it when he is ready!  Good luck! :)

Tianna - posted on 03/19/2009

maybe put him down a half hour earlier. sometimes it's hard to read my daughter's clues and if she is too tired when i put her down she fights it longer.

Dawn - posted on 03/19/2009

every baby is different. my daughter slept all night from about 8 weeks on but my son is 9 months old and is just now sleeping most nights all night. still have a few nights here and there where he wakes up. the best thing i've found is lots of fresh air and make sure he's nice and full before bed. but remember he's still a little guy and might need that extra feeding at night. my dr told me that until they are 7 months old when they wake at night they usually need something. stick to a routine at night too...dinner, bath, bottle then bed. also try that lavender baby shampoo. another thing i've noticed that if it's too hot in my room my son doesn't sleep that well. so keep the room cooler at night. i keep a fan on, he likes that. i know it's frustrating but remember what works for one baby prolly won't work for another...it's all about trial and error sometimes. Good Luck:)

Suzanne - posted on 03/19/2009

Poor thing (& poor you). At that age my daughter would only sleep in her bouncy chair beside my bed. She liked the small space, I guess. If that didn't work, I put her in her swing beside my bed. I think the movement helped, in addition to the small space. Good luck!

Monica - posted on 03/19/2009

Every child is different. My son didnt sleep through the night until he was over a year old. If it takes that long to get him to sleep he doesnt sound tired enough try giving him move floor time so he can more and put him to bed a little later or he may be ready to go down a nap try giving a morning and right after lunch. Dont let him sleep past 4pm so he has time to make himself tired for bed. Do you pick him up every time he wakes up? You can also try just patting his bottom or rubbing him on the back instead of picking him up that will reassure him that you are there, but he can start to learn to self sooth. I would NOT suggust to cry it out as it only teaches a baby insecurity and that their only method of communicating is not getting a responce.

Kelley - posted on 03/19/2009

I have three sons, 2,8,14

None of them were the same in their sleeping habits! At 7 weeks, your son should still be nursing/bottleing every few hours so sleeping thru the night is a myth at this time... With my third, I would nurse then burp/change and leave the room so he didn't think it was play time. keep the lights off when doing all nighttime stuff too. It's his job to sleep this much... keep your smile on, it will be over soon enough and sons are a JOY for usre!