Co-sleeping and active sleepers

adiaz132003 · July 2016

So we co-sleep by bedsharing (in a safe sleeper don't worry) and we have him on his tummy cause he seems to cry less that way now I'm faced with a new issue. He's n active sleeper meaning everytime his sleep cycle changes he will make noise and start tossing and turning. He will pick his head up and turn it or rub his face, kick his legs maybe even make some noise but his eyes are closed and it will stop after a few minutes. So a few questions. First should I wait until he fusses for a long time and maybe let out a cry before I feed him? He is fully capable of doing 5+ hours stretches at night since he's a big boy, 12lbs now, and I don't wanna try and feed him if he's not fully hungry which I think I did this morning and it bit me in the ass cause it wasn't a full feed so he probably didn't get much hindmilk. Second he sleeps on his tummy I want to keep him in our bed at night so I can be sure he's breathing, during the day he's in his room with a monitor and I check on him of he's been quiet for a little while. How do you other co-sleeping moms deal with all the extra noise of your baby's fussy sleeping? Thankfully, it doesn't seem to bother DH but I'm getting less sleep

annaf2011 · July 2016

I don't know anything about the tummy sleeping, but I would say yes to holding off for a clear signal of hunger before you feed. My little guy sleeps in our room and he also becomes a very loud sleeper in the early morning hours. Not fussy so much as grunty and squirmy. I try to wait until I see his eyes open, or until he lets out an actual cry (as opposed to a grunt) before I get him up to feed him. Otherwise I end up interrupting his sleep when he doesn't really have any interest in eating. As my pediatrician said yesterday, he will let you know when he is hungry. As for figuring out ways to sleep through the extra noise, I'm still working on that one as well. I'm getting a little better now that I'm learning what's an "I need you" noise compared to an "I'm a loud sleeper" noise. Good luck!

purplefan1 · July 2016

Agreed. Mine was super grunty and squirmy this morning but was either asleep or would fall back asleep. I just couldn't sleep through it!

adiaz132003 · July 2016

What about naps? DS will sleep for 30 tops then start to squirm and I think hes gonna settle then suddenly the cry starts. I try to settle him bit the only thing that works is his pacifier but if that comes out he's doing it again 5 min later. All in his sleep, mind you. But I don't want him to start really crying and then he's wide awake before he's had a proper nap.

purplefan1 · July 2016

Do you swaddle and play white noise for the nap? Mine sleeps way better with both. Baby Sleep sounds is a free app I got for my Android that works perfectly.

AOliveira11 · July 2016

All of this!!! My DD makes "dad noises" when she sleeps like grunts, squeaks, yawns and stretches with that relief stretch sound. Its adorable. I always check the monitor or peak in on her to see if shes still asleep or starting to stir. She usually tells me shes hungry when she bursts into a full on screaming session or she'll start to suck on her fingers or hand. If im holding her and shes hungry she'll try and turn to my boob to start eating so one of these indicators lets me kno its time to feed the baby

annaf2011 · July 2016

I agree with swaddling and white noise. It might help to keep him in a deeper sleep. My LO usually naps in the rock n play and never makes the sort of sounds that he does in the night.

rlbrooks84 · July 2016

adiaz132003 said:

What about naps? DS will sleep for 30 tops then start to squirm and I think hes gonna settle then suddenly the cry starts. I try to settle him bit the only thing that works is his pacifier but if that comes out he's doing it again 5 min later. All in his sleep, mind you. But I don't want him to start really crying and then he's wide awake before he's had a proper nap.

When my LO does this I rub a little lotion on her forehead and cheeks with one finger and it soothes her just enough that she goes back to sleep. She's usually a great napped but this week has been rough and I usually do the lotion thing at night to help her but have to do it all times of the day this week.

adiaz132003 · July 2016

I was putting him on his belly and playing white noise and he had no issue falling asleep, it's staying asleep that he can't seem to do.

egirl1025 · July 2016

adiaz132003 said:

What about naps? DS will sleep for 30 tops then start to squirm and I think hes gonna settle then suddenly the cry starts. I try to settle him bit the only thing that works is his pacifier but if that comes out he's doing it again 5 min later. All in his sleep, mind you. But I don't want him to start really crying and then he's wide awake before he's had a proper nap.

Have you had the "sleeping cry" yet? I had that yesterday...very interesting. I generally give him a good 30 seconds of grunting/whatever it is he is doing before I go and take closer look. I start to wake him up once these sessions get closer together and his eyes open. Having him swaddled helps too...I have noticed that the grunting coupled with him scrunching up makes him start to helicopter around in his bed. This is especially bad when he is not swaddled.

Does anyone know...is all this grunting related to gas/reflux? I don't think of my baby as overly fussy, so I just don't know what compels him to do all this stretching, grunting stuff.

purplefan1 · July 2016

I think it is just a normal response. Some of it is from the startle reflex, some is from dreaming, some is just their muscles twitching as they fall in and out of deep sleep.

Mine helicopters around in her crib too if she isn't swaddled!! Hilarious.

adiaz132003 · July 2016

I'm just so fed up. I put him down swaddled this time an hour ago and every 5 min I have to go in. I've even tried letting him cry for a few min but all that did was make me cry and it didn't help at all. After an hour I unswaddled his arms and flipped him just so he'll sleep for a few minutes so I can finally eat this PBJ that I made 30 min ago. I just don't understand how he used to be able to sleep for an hour without issue when his gas was worse and now that he gets waaaaay less gassy he is constantly waking himself up. He is 6 weeks today. Please someone tell me it's just a phase and will be over soon.

AOliveira11 · July 2016

adiaz132003 said:

I'm just so fed up. I put him down swaddled this time an hour ago and every 5 min I have to go in. I've even tried letting him cry for a few min but all that did was make me cry and it didn't help at all. After an hour I unswaddled his arms and flipped him just so he'll sleep for a few minutes so I can finally eat this PBJ that I made 30 min ago. I just don't understand how he used to be able to sleep for an hour without issue when his gas was worse and now that he gets waaaaay less gassy he is constantly waking himself up. He is 6 weeks today. Please someone tell me it's just a phase and will be over soon.

Im sorry this is so stressful for you. Ive gone hours without eating or using the bathroom bc of checking on LO. Do you have a swing you can put him in? Maybe that constant motion will give him something else to focus on and he'll fall asleep in that. Hopefully it is just a phase and we'll eventually be able to eat something more than a stale sandwich or be able to take longer than a 3 minute shower. Hugs to you!

huskypuppy14 · July 2016

adiaz132003 said:

I'm just so fed up. I put him down swaddled this time an hour ago and every 5 min I have to go in. I've even tried letting him cry for a few min but all that did was make me cry and it didn't help at all. After an hour I unswaddled his arms and flipped him just so he'll sleep for a few minutes so I can finally eat this PBJ that I made 30 min ago. I just don't understand how he used to be able to sleep for an hour without issue when his gas was worse and now that he gets waaaaay less gassy he is constantly waking himself up. He is 6 weeks today. Please someone tell me it's just a phase and will be over soon.

My son sleeps deeply on me. He's out and I'll put him in his crib and he'll wake up like 5 minutes later. he's 7 weeks today. It is so hard to make something to eat. What I have been doing is putting the boppy on the table next to me while I eat so I don't have to get up every 5 minutes. I'm hoping it's just a phase. He sleeps ok In his bassinet, but I want him to get used to the crib though. Most of the time I love holding him, but there are times I have to do some things around the house.

adiaz132003 · July 2016

AOliveira11 said:

adiaz132003 said:

I'm just so fed up. I put him down swaddled this time an hour ago and every 5 min I have to go in. I've even tried letting him cry for a few min but all that did was make me cry and it didn't help at all. After an hour I unswaddled his arms and flipped him just so he'll sleep for a few minutes so I can finally eat this PBJ that I made 30 min ago. I just don't understand how he used to be able to sleep for an hour without issue when his gas was worse and now that he gets waaaaay less gassy he is constantly waking himself up. He is 6 weeks today. Please someone tell me it's just a phase and will be over soon.

Im sorry this is so stressful for you. Ive gone hours without eating or using the bathroom bc of checking on LO. Do you have a swing you can put him in? Maybe that constant motion will give him something else to focus on and he'll fall asleep in that. Hopefully it is just a phase and we'll eventually be able to eat something more than a stale sandwich or be able to take longer than a 3 minute shower. Hugs to you!

He rarely falls asleep in the swing. I normally use the swing when he's awake and my arms need a rest or the dog needs me ect. This just started recently and I really hope it's just some weird phase. And of course my "support system" has basically turned their backs on me once the excitement of the new baby wore off and he got harder to handle. My mom actually told me last week to "get a grip" cause I was crying while DS had been screaming for an hour straight. Bitch. And I can't count on DH at night cause he gets up early for work and if he doesn't get good sleep he's super cranky the next day which stresses me out more.

rlbrooks84 · July 2016

I think it's a phase my LO was doing great till this week. She's only sleeping 1 hr at time during the day and use to take 2 4-5 hr naps during the day. I was so excited because you never know how well your LO will be when it comes sleep. My first was awful night and day and stopped napping at 18 months! This LO had finally started to find her groove and now it's down the toilet. She'll be 7 weeks tomorrow so I think/hope it's just a phase. I wish you could at least get an hour! Do you have any friends that would watch him while you're home and give you a little break? I know you said your support system has basically turned their backs on you but maybe reach out again. Just not your mom, telling me to get a grip would piss me off too! Good luck it'll get better, it has too!

indpwoman27 · July 2016

I know how you feel. I was not getting any sleep because she would sleep any where from 5 to 20 min. at a time and the rest of the time I would be rocking and bouncing her in my arms or on my chest. If she slept for more then 20 min. it would be in my arms. She squirmed and grunted a lot, she seemed like she was in pain. I called the pediatrician, did research on the net, and asked other moms, in the end everything pointed to it being normal and it would get better at the 6-8 week. Things were getting worse and deep down I was not satisfied with that answer. I found this product called Hyland's Baby Gas Drops, now she sleeps. I am so grateful because now I can lay her down and not worry about her waking right back up. I can eat, sleep, get things done, travel, and tend to my 5 year old son; whereas, before I could not do anything no exaggeration! I was going through the same thing until 3 days ago, my lo is 6 weeks now.I hope things get better.

adiaz132003 · July 2016

I'll try those gas drops. Idk am I expecting too much of my baby to sleep somewhere besides my wrap? I just wanna be able to put him down so I can get stuff done and once he starts taking longer naps I'd like to nap too.

purplefan1 · July 2016

I think it might be phase. Mine has been sleeping terrible during the again and is 6 weeks tomorrow. I think she is going through a growth spurt again.

vintagevix2016 · July 2016

My little guy is a noisy sleeper but I realized his cue to be fed is sucking on his hand. It's a distinct sound so I can identify it in the dark.

vintagevix2016 · July 2016

Oh and I just started giving him gripe water and cocyntal for his tummy and gas. They seem to help since he farts and burbs with ease niw and more frequently. His afternoon meltdowns have become more manageable too (or I'm just more mentally prepared for them). He has trouble napping as well, the only thing that seems to hep is a long stroller ride. Once we get back and he has a feeding, he will sleep for about 2-3hrs, wake for snother feed, and sleep for another 2hrs or so. Not exactly cat naps but it gives me time to get stuff done and nap as well.

Like your's mine insists on being held all the time too, but he hates carriers so I do it freestyle. Pretry sure I've lost weight because of it.

Bear14+ · July 2016

My son took 30 minute naps all day. This one is following suit. She's awake for about an hour, then takes a 30 minute nap. It's exhausting. If I lay with her or she's in the car seat, I might get an hour. Oh well, so far, both kids have been great night sleepers and DS still takes a 2 hour nap at noon and he's 21 months old.

adiaz132003 · July 2016

Holy crap DS is sleeping for longer than 30 min and even woke up and fell asleep on his own at one point!!! I did go out and buy blackout curtains and today is our first time trying it. I'm sure that's helping when he wakes himself up.

TheHauntedHauswife · July 2016

adiaz132003 said:

How do you other co-sleeping moms deal with all the extra noise of your baby's fussy sleeping?

We bed share with a dockatot. If it seems like her noises are potentially hungry noises I listen and watch her face. Usually her mouth movements give it away. If im not sure, i keep watching and she tends to speed up her breathing when shes getting close to letting out a cry so i usually grab her to eat then. I am super anti CIO but if you are breastfeeding and can feed right away, i dont see an issue with waiting for him to make 1 cry-type noise as your signal. But i wouldn't wait for more than a cry or two personally. But with my girl, she doesnt cry for no reason pretty much ever.

vintagevix2016 · July 2016

Welp, he's been up since 10:30am and I can't get him down for a nap. Once he goes down for the first afternoon nap, the rest of the day and evening should be fine. I took him out for a long stroller ride, which usually does the trick but not today. I can tell he is tired.

He always naps in his rock n play in the living room (it's just the dog & me so noise level is reasonable) and I'm hesitant to break routine and put him elsewhere.

All I know is that he will be Mr. Crankypants in no time.

adiaz132003 · July 2016

Up for that long?! DS won't stay awake for more than an hour

ETA: right as I posted this I look up and DS passed out in his rock n play, I'm never able to get him to fall asleep so easy. Lol he just likes being cranky.

vintagevix2016 · July 2016

adiaz132003 said:

Up for that long?! DS won't stay awake for more than an hour

If I didn't do errands or daily stroller rides, he would be up from 10:30 to 5!

adiaz132003 · July 2016

vintagevix86 said:

adiaz132003 said:

Up for that long?! DS won't stay awake for more than an hour

If I didn't do errands or daily stroller rides, he would be up from 10:30 to 5!

Is he at least chill while awake?

annaf2011 · July 2016

@adiaz132003 yay for more than 30 minutes of sleeping!

adiaz132003 · July 2016

annaf2011 said:

@adiaz132003 yay for more than 30 minutes of sleeping!

Yeah omg it must either be the curtains or the lack of napping was a phase.

vintagevix2016 · July 2016

adiaz132003 said:

vintagevix86 said:

adiaz132003 said:

Up for that long?! DS won't stay awake for more than an hour

If I didn't do errands or daily stroller rides, he would be up from 10:30 to 5!

Is he at least chill while awake?

Noooope haha.

adiaz132003 · July 2016

vintagevix86 said:

adiaz132003 said:

vintagevix86 said:

adiaz132003 said:

Up for that long?! DS won't stay awake for more than an hour

If I didn't do errands or daily stroller rides, he would be up from 10:30 to 5!

Is he at least chill while awake?

Noooope haha.

Oh nooooooo lol

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