What should my priority be?

[Anonymous]

Hi, everyone. This is my first post, though I’ve been reading here for quite awhile.

Some background– My son is just about 4 months old and has mild reflux and MFPI. I’m breastfeeding and on a fairly limited diet. Though his symptoms aren’t gone completely with my diet changes, he’s much improved and it seems to be controlled for the time being.

In the first few weeks of his life, my husband and I swaddled him and put him in the swing to sleep. He did really well with it– at two months he even did a few nights with 7 hour stretches! (So we know he’s capable!) About a month ago, though, we started to try to put him in the bassinet (which is set on an incline)– and things went downhill. He started waking up much more often and would cry for hours at a time when we tried to put him back to bed (after nursing). So we went back to the swing so that we could all get some sleep. But we really want him to be able to sleep in the bassinet/crib, without being swaddled, and soon– for lots of reasons! Primarily, I’m reading that “motion sleep” does not allow him to achieve the deep sleep he needs in order to truly be rested. I also feel like he’s unsafe being swaddled still as he’s strong and can get out of it.

So, here are my questions: First, what should my priority be– getting him into the bassinet or out of the swaddling? Second, how do I do it?!? Any suggestions would be much appreciated!

[Anonymous]

I swaddled Dagney until she was at least 5 months old, and only stopped because I didn’t want to buy a bigger swaddleme! I would keep him swaddled as long as he allows you to, and work on the crib first. Have you tried putting him in the car seat or bouncey seat in the crib? Do you have a portable or regular swing? You could even put the portable swing in the crib swinging, then slow it down to eventually off, then move him out of the seat altogether. Also, my lo HATED the bassinet and cried whenever she was in it, but did fine with a cradle and had no problems with the crib, so maybe it’s the bassinet!

[Anonymous]

we had the same situation with the swing.. that was all the worked. i would keep him swaddled as well for a while longer. BUT i think if he is sleeping better in the swing, its because he is more comfortable with his reflux that way. when the babies lye down (including my son) is when the reflux gets worse. soo, if you find that he isnt ready to lye down yet, i wouldnt push it too much, there isnt much you can do with that, and its more important that he gets sleep. i know of a mom that had to let her son sleep in his stroller for the first 6 mos! i know its horrible to still have to have them sleep like that, and in your bedroom non the less.

my son still doesnt sleep well lying down, he swirms an awful lot! (13 mos old) i would keep him in the swing if he was able to fit in it still! 😉 but he does sleep through the night, so there is hope eventually. i think he got used to it a bit more, and doesnt fully wake up from it , and is able to fall right back asleep. i would try the car seat as well. it didnt work with shane, but i know a lot of parents have done it. what did work a little more with him was his baby papasan vibrating chair… maybe something like that might work better? and make you feel better that its not totally moving.

[Anonymous]

Oh my gosh I feel like I’m reading my OWN story! We went through the same thing with my daughter. My friends even teased that Sarah would go off to college still needing to be swaddled and in a swing! For Sarah, she needed the swaddle because she was a comfort eater and unless her hands were TIGHTLY bound to her body she was constantly trying to suck on them for comfort. When formula obviously didn’t come out of her fingers she would scream uncontrollably! Things really turned around for us when she was finally on a high dose of zegerid. Within weeks she wasn’t screaming to fall asleep anymore (a big problem we had) so we eventually moved her to the CRIB. After she was capable of sleeping in the crib, we removed the swaddle blanket. It was such a stressful time and I remember the first night she slept unswaddled IN her crib I cried watching her sleep because she finally looked like a “normal” comfortable, happy baby.

So I guess to answer your question…we started with the crib/bassinet first and then tried the swaddle. Are you certain that the reflux is under control? If his reflux is still bothering him, neither change may be possible. Sarah was 4 months old when we started zegerid and she was 5-5.5 months old when we achieved the no swaddle no swing success.

GOOD LUCK! I know how you feel!!!!

[Anonymous]

My dd could never sleep lying flat. We tried to elevate the crib. It helped a bit. I do agree with the others- if the reflux isn’t well controlled, then it’s hard for them to get comfortable when they sleep.

[hellbennt]

sounds like I’m a medication pusher, but if your baby isn’t 100% comfortable with your diet changes alone, then it might be time to try some medication…forgive me if your baby IS taking medication!

as for the sleep, since that’s what you posted about, I say: swaddle & try the crib…

[Anonymous]

my dear baby used to sleep in his bouncy on our bed with us until he was 5 month old then i tried only in bed with us but with two pillows at 6 months i started to put him down in his crib for the naps and after a week i included the nights now he sleeps in his crib all the time.

maybe you should try little by little and one day your baby will be ready to sleep in the bassinet or the crib

[Anonymous]

I’d try keeping him swaddled until he adapts to the crib or bassinett. Also I agree that he may need meds if he’s in pain. It’s nearly impossible to sleep when you have reflux pain. I have it and I can tell you it’s miserable.

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