Question:

“Help! After 10 days of “I’m the perfect eating/sleeping/pooping baby” …. our son has become ‘awake’! His main issue this week is going down for naps. He either: a. cries really hard for an extended amount of time (haven’t been able to stand it for longer than about 15 min.), we go in, pat, check diaper, etc. then it starts over - and he never naps or b. lies contentedly in his crib (awake) for over an hour and then sleeps the last 30-45 min. We’ve been working really hard not to over stimulate him (10 min. wake max) but we can’t seem to find the right balance.”

Answer:

“Yes, they do wake up! You didn’t mention how often you are feeding. Since he’s been so laid back the first 10 days, you may need to monitor the timing of feeds, keeping it fairly close to the 2.5 to 3 hour mark. But also, check your diet - dairy, yogurt, carbonated drinks which would include carbonated water, spicy foods. Make sure ‘output’ is good - both urine and poop - should be some each feeding. If you rule out diet related unsettledness, make sure he’s burped well and it is good that you are making sure he is not ‘over stimulated’. The other thing to consider since he’s 10 days is the possibility of a ‘growth spurt’ so if he’s crying hard, not showing signs of stopping, go in and pick him up after 10 min. calm him and see if he’ll nurse. It’s always a good thing to rule out the possibility that it could be hunger - even if it looks like he stopped nursing on his own during the feeding. If he just takes a couple of good sucks and then pulls away - at least you have ruled out hunger and can then decide if it is a ’sleep issue’ or not. I’ll assume he is giving you good burps - so could be something that needs to be released from the other end. :-) If he is pulling up or sounds like he maybe in ‘pain’ try putting him on your lap on his back and bring his little leg’s up, that usually helps release any thing ‘trapped’ lower down.”