I didn't realise I was bringing an alarm home from the hospital! Boston has decided to scream awake at 4am on the dot every morning just like clockwork. I know he's not hungry because we've already fed so why does he keep waking? He want's a cuddle and won't go back in his bassinet but is still very tired. It's exhausting. I tried putting a beanie on him after his 3am feed but no change. Has anyone experienced this?

(also a quick breastfeeding question, he recently has started to fuss on the boob about 10 minutes in- no idea why but both sides fights going back on after about 10-15 minutes but still hungry??)

I did try feeding him at 4 last night and he took one side, but then wanted the other side at 5.30 and more again at 6.30 and I think it was more about comfort than feeding, and it also ment I got zero sleep. Am a bit worried about tonight as am sooo tired.

Not sure about the gushing as he pulls off and tries to go on heaps of times and it's after 10 minutes of feeding. pretty confusing. Sorry I don't mean to sound like a complainer Thanks for all the advice. xx

Also I just remembered that your breast milk changes from watery to milky.. not sure how far into a session, it could be at that 10 minute mark where your bub has gone from having a nice refreshing drink and now he's getting creamy milk and just needs to get used to it??

Good luck hun xoxo

Hey there,

It is so hard in those first few weeks / months when they are waking all the time, isn't it? It is perfectly normal though as they aren't used to the usual rhythms of sleep (ie long sleep overnight) at that age.

I would just do a quick nappy check, then feed him back to sleep (with lots of burping breaks and a really good burp at the end)and put him down. From my experience and from what I have read the important thing at this very young age is to make a distinction between night and day, I would do whatever it takes to resettle him - probably a feed is what he wants - but keep the lights off / dim and don't wake him right up with lots of talking etc if you can help it. Soon he will learn that there is a difference between night and day and he will start to sleep for longer periods at night.

As for the fussing, probably the most common cause is wind - this would fit in with the waking an hour after feeding at 4 am too. Especially in the first few minutes of a feed they tend to gulp down a lot of air with their milk and this can make them feel all full even if they are actually hungry - maybe this is why he is waking wanting milk again so soon? It can obviously also make their little tummies uncomfortable, which could be causng the fussing and the waking too. I would try burping him after 3 minutes (really do it properly - keep trying til he burps!) then every time you change sides or every time he pulls off after that. Sounds like a lot I know, but it really helps!

Good luck! It does get easier - don't worry!

Thanks girls!! It's so great how supportive you are xx

I just wanted to say thanks again girls for your advice! I have been burping him about 5 times per side now and it's done amazing things. We had a feed through 4am so I'm not sure if he would have woken then but we'll see tonight. I'm pretty sure he is sleeping better and happier, he is settling more easily- I had no idea that he was that windy!!

Katie I'm so sorry for your friends loss, we are trying really hard (and mostly successfully) not to co-sleep. What a scary thought smothering is.

Just on the co-sleeping issue, we did it with DS and took all the precautions and found it worked for us. We didn't use pillows, dressed very lightly, had our quilt such that it was tucked in and could not come past our waists or so, don't smoke or take drugs.

If co-sleeping is what works for you and means you and your baby manage to get more sleep, then don't feel like it is the 'wrong' thing to do.

I sometimes wish DS was still interested in co-sleeping, especially on the weekends when it would be just lovely if he would snuggle between the 2 of us and have some extra sleep of a morning !

Great work on the burping - I found this is what helped DS too. It was a pain taking him off the breast and burping him frequently, but it was what was needed.

Sorry to hear about your friend KatieJ.

Thanks for thinking of us oz_gal! We are sleeping better now although he still wakes at 4 am but now it's for a feed! Congratulations on your pregnancy!!!