Mommas - My Co-Worker needs help!

PlumCallaLily · March 2011

My friend at work had a sweet baby boy 7 weeks ago. He will not sleep unless he's being held and she and her husband are desperate. She doesn't want to let him CIO yet.

Did any of you have those things you put in the bed with you that's kind of a "baby barrier" so you don't roll over them and they don't roll around (forgive my ignorance because I have no idea what they're called)? They can lay him beside them on the couch or something and as long as they're touching him, he will sleep. Both she and her husband work full time so they are at whit's end!!

Any suggestions?

Kupuggie · March 2011

My pedi suggested we do not use those types of things, in case they got against them. At that young they don't know to get away from them.

My first suggestion would be to sleep train him. I know a lot of people are against it that early, but I had friends that did it early on and it worked for them. I know you said she didn't want to let him CIO it out yet, but does he automatically cry when they put him down, or could they even do smaller time amounts, instead of the 5 minutes, 10 minutes, etc, do like 2, 4, 6.

Second, I would ask if he's getting enough to eat. Kiley started STTN when we realized she needed more then 2 ounces. She would sleep on us, but not in her crib.

Do they have a bed time routine? Again, I know a lot of people are against routines for baby that young, but we did it with Kiley and she's been STTN since 1 month. We get her dressed, read a book, feed her bottle, then goes in crib. When we put her in her crib we would place our hand gently on her back and let her know we were there, we would slowly take our hand off and walk as quietly as possible out of the room!

I hope they find something soon, I can't imagine working full time and not getting sleep!

lolabright · March 2011

This sounds like Alexander. We had his bassinet in our room, but quickly gave up on that. I found the following useful:

For nights we had a baby deluxe snuggle nest (this is the baby barrier you are talking about).

Naptimes were the worst in my opinnion. I would have Xander nap in the swing if I couldn't hold him for his naps. I also used the bouncy chair or his infant car seat, he would fall a sleep easily in that.

Also a taggie blanket did wonders for Xander for naps and bedtime, he doesn't go anywhere with out his blanket now.

lolabright · March 2011

Kupuggie:

My pedi suggested we do not use those types of things, in case they got against them. At that young they don't know to get away from them.

My first suggestion would be to sleep train him. I know a lot of people are against it that early, but I had friends that did it early on and it worked for them. I know you said she didn't want to let him CIO it out yet, but does he automatically cry when they put him down, or could they even do smaller time amounts, instead of the 5 minutes, 10 minutes, etc, do like 2, 4, 6.

Second, I would ask if he's getting enough to eat. Kiley started STTN when we realized she needed more then 2 ounces. She would sleep on us, but not in her crib.

Do they have a bed time routine? Again, I know a lot of people are against routines for baby that young, but we did it with Kiley and she's been STTN since 1 month. We get her dressed, read a book, feed her bottle, then goes in crib. When we put her in her crib we would place our hand gently on her back and let her know we were there, we would slowly take our hand off and walk as quietly as possible out of the room!

I hope they find something soon, I can't imagine working full time and not getting sleep!

I found this to be true with Xander, minus the STTN, because he woke up to eat in the middle of the night until he was 10 months.

crows1920 · March 2011

the fisher price rock n play. it's even with the bed and/or couch and you can touch the baby while sleeping. you can even rock it. it's amazing and it's only $50.

WildcatPrincess · March 2011

We had the Snuggle Nest as well. It has mesh sides like the bassinet so if they do roll up against the side they can still breathe. I wouldn't even CONSIDER sleep training a 7 week old. Even Ferber doesn't recommend using his method until close to 6 months.

Rebekistan · March 2011

I think 7 weeks is way too young to sleep train. We attempted at 4 months, the earliest recommended (and it's not really recommended -- the books say you can try it) and it was a big failure; didn't work until 6 months.

She should try a swing or bouncy / vibrating chair. A lot of people swear by the Rock n Play. Is she swaddling? You can still swaddle with a SwaddleMe blanket and put baby in the swing / bouncer b/c there's a slit in the back of the blanket.

Ditto Pugs on trying to give baby more food.

prneyes3 · March 2011

Is it possible that the baby has an issue with reflux? When Bella was young she slept horrible, she would scream everytime we put her in her bed, but would sleep just fine upright on us. Then she got to the point where she would gasp for air, cough and spit up. She had an upper GI at 6 weeks and was put on zantac and it made a huge difference in her sleep patterns. She also slept in her bouncy seat for probably the first 4 months to keep her in the upright position.

Now_a_Swearingen · March 2011

our PNP had a fuzzy cozy bassinett attachmen that was a bit elevated (worked great because she has reflux) it vibrated and we also got a baby violet that would sing for 20mins.

FutureMrsNAH · March 2011

Nothing original here - just want to echo checking reflux possibility, eating enough, swaddling, and give my opinion that it's too early to sleep train.

PlumCallaLily · March 2011

Sorry it took so long to respond! I've been in meetings all morning!!

Thank you all for the suggestions!!

Kupuggie:
My pedi suggested we do not use those types of things, in case they got against them. At that young they don't know to get away from them.
Good to know!
My first suggestion would be to sleep train him. I know a lot of people are against it that early, but I had friends that did it early on and it worked for them. I know you said she didn't want to let him CIO it out yet, but does he automatically cry when they put him down, or could they even do smaller time amounts, instead of the 5 minutes, 10 minutes, etc, do like 2, 4, 6.
Great idea! She says he doesn't cry until he's been laying there for about 10 mins. So should she soothe him when he starts crying and just lay him back down?
Second, I would ask if he's getting enough to eat. Kiley started STTN when we realized she needed more then 2 ounces. She would sleep on us, but not in her crib.
He eats lots and lots!
Do they have a bed time routine?
Yes they do. They feed him, bathe him, put lotion on him (with lavendar scent) and then try to put him down. He falls asleep, but then starts crying 10 mins later. As soon as they pick him up and hold him, he falls asleep again. He's a wonderful sleeper - when they hold him.
I hope they find something soon, I can't imagine working full time and not getting sleep!
I know! I feel so sorry for her! She was 2 months shy of working here long enough to qualify for the 12 week FMLA

PlumCallaLily · March 2011

crows1920:
the fisher price rock n play. it's even with the bed and/or couch and you can touch the baby while sleeping. you can even rock it. it's amazing and it's only $50.

Oh great idea! I just told her about this one and her eyes lit up

I think she's going today to get one.....are they at Target?

PlumCallaLily · March 2011

Rebekistan:
She should try a swing or bouncy / vibrating chair. A lot of people swear by the Rock n Play. Is she swaddling? You can still swaddle with a SwaddleMe blanket and put baby in the swing / bouncer b/c there's a slit in the back of the blanket.
He HATES to be swaddled and he hates his swing
Ditto Pugs on trying to give baby more food.

PlumCallaLily · March 2011

prneyes3:
Is it possible that the baby has an issue with reflux? When Bella was young she slept horrible, she would scream everytime we put her in her bed, but would sleep just fine upright on us. Then she got to the point where she would gasp for air, cough and spit up. She had an upper GI at 6 weeks and was put on zantac and it made a huge difference in her sleep patterns. She also slept in her bouncy seat for probably the first 4 months to keep her in the upright position.

Hmmmm not sure! He doesn't spit up or anything and has regular BMs, but that's a possibility!

PlumCallaLily · March 2011

Now_a_Swearingen:
our PNP had a fuzzy cozy bassinett attachmen that was a bit elevated (worked great because she has reflux) it vibrated and we also got a baby violet that would sing for 20mins.

Thank you! She likes the idea of the PNP!

crows1920 · March 2011

PlumCallaLily:
crows1920:
the fisher price rock n play. it's even with the bed and/or couch and you can touch the baby while sleeping. you can even rock it. it's amazing and it's only $50.
Oh great idea! I just told her about this one and her eyes lit up
I think she's going today to get one.....are they at Target?

yup!

Mommas - My Co-Worker needs help!

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