Any idea what could be wrong??

[firstchild]

my 4 week old son used to be very settled. Id have him in his rocker all day and only here from him when he is hungry, over the last few days though he has been unsettled. When i put him down he just starts winging. When i pick him up he is ok (not that we got him used to be held). And he has this thing about staying up at nights now. He sometimes stays up from about 9pm till 2am and he would have been up most the day. His naps are shorter too. I dont want him to get used to being held and i really need to sleep!
Is this normal for his stage? and when do they start sleeping through the night ie without waking up for feeds as often. At the moment he wakes up every few hours.

[alanasmum]

Please don't be worried about getting into any bad habits by cuddling and holding your baby. Little babies need lots of re-assurance and comforting from their mums. They are still getting used to their new world. Enjoy the cuddles and bonding time when he needs you. Eventually babies learn to self-settle. He won't always need you to cuddle him to sleep.

Can I ask why he spends lots of time in his rocker? You are probably better off getting him used to sleeping in his cot or bassinette. Are you following a basic "feed, play, sleep" routine? Obviously at his young age, the "play" is very limited and short. Just a little stimulation (singing to him, showing him a toy, walking with him in the fresh air) is all that's needed.

A four week old waking every few hours at night is normal. Babies can sleep through quite early (ie from a couple of months old) but most don't. DD is almost 1 and doesn't sleep through. The sleep deprivation in the early weeks can be extremely exhausting (I remember) so try and catch up on some sleep when your bub sleeps during the day and be good to yourself - don't overdo it on the house-work etc.

So, as for your bub being unsettled, there could be a variety of reasons: he could just need some comforting and cuddles or perhaps he is having a growth spurt at the moment.

If it persists, I would probably head to your health nurse for some advice or your doctor.

[Cat13]

Doesn't actually sound like anything is wrong - just sounds like he is being a baby!

For the first 4 weeks it really is just eat, poop & sleep. After 4 weeks will be starting to be more aware of his surroundings & probably wanting a little more attention & stimulation.

All babies are different and there is no set time when they start sleeping through (which I believe is defined as 5 hours sleep in a row). Some do it from the start and some 1yr olds still wake every night.

Lots of good advice in the post from alanasmum. Try and look after yourself & follow your instincts.