Bedtime Advice

DS is 4 months old and as I've mentioned before is a wonderful sleeper (10-11 hours). The past 2 weeks have been a struggle to get him to bed...his has started to become the routine...

1. Put on PJs and put in straight jacket (swaddle)
2. Give half the bottle (It is a 6.5oz bottle) then try to get burp...it doesn't always happen
3. Give second half of bottle then try to get burp...which we usually can't because he's asleep.
4. 10 minutes on my shoulder trying to get burp
5. 10 minutes rocking
6. Put in crib

About 5 minutes after I put him in the crib he wakes up screaming. I pick him up and then am usually able to get a couple of burps out of him...10 minutes later he's usually back to sleep. Last night, however, he vomited for the first time on my husband (it looked like curdled milk).

Once he goes down that second time he is usually asleep for the night.

Does anyone have any advice on how I can avoid the wakeup/how to get the gas out? I tried using gas drops and those haven't done anything. I have a call in to the dr but am hoping some of you BTDT moms have unfortunately encountered this and have some tips/tricks!!

Re: Bedtime Advice

we have a hard time getting our 4.5 month old to burp too. it is rare we get a burp in the middle of his nighttime bottle, but we always get one before putting him down.

have you tried burping him in a seated position on your lap instead of over your shoulder? we find that helps sometimes. i also notice with my ds that i can burp him while sitting and get nothing, but 2-3 minutes after i stand up and hold him in burping position, i usually get a burp out.

does he roll over yet? would you consider stopping swaddling him if he is? we stopped swaddling when ds was 3.5 months bc he was rolling over. having him on his tummy helps him get the gas out (we dont put him down that way, but within minutes he usually is on his stomach)

Message edited 10/10/2014 10:21:19 AM.

Bedtime Advice

Thanks for the input. I do try the seated position and I stand up with him. I'm considering unswaddling but I'm nervous because he is such a good sleeper! The swaddle I have is convertible so I can take the arms out. DS can roll from tummy to back but not the other way. The only way I can get him to nap is on his stomach!

Re: Bedtime Advice

When you burp on the lap, which I found was the best way but everyone is different -- but when you burp and seat your child on your lap, do you put your hand under their chin/jaw? Like, I would support Julian's head by putting my index finger and thumb out and holding him under his chin, and elongating his neck so that his head had a restful position and the elongation allowed for that gas to come up SO easily and so effectively.

The nurses in the hospital when Julian was born taught me. It was amazing. I would pat him on the back with one hand while holding his head under his chin with the other.

I also tried gas drops PLUS the gripe water -- which was wonderful. I used them as often as I could, the doc said go to town with it.

Also, are you doing formula or BF?? Julian was on formula and it was around 3/4 months that we HAD to switch to Similac Sensitive for Fussy/Gas. It is the orange bottle. WHAT A DIFFERENCE.

Also, the ped suggested that we use Culterelle probiotic in his bottle. One packet (you have to find them in the individual serving sizes, the powder packets) but one packet in one bottle, daily, and it helped his digestion, eased the gas, and overall - it was just a Godsend. It also helped keep him regular and is a natural immune system boost. The ped suggesting that - and afterwards, how great it was - I could have air humped my pediatrician, best suggestion ever. My local pharm sells it in the powder packs because they are a biitch to find! You could order it on amazon and keep reordering it for convenience.

Hope this helps!!

Message edited 10/10/2014 2:27:12 PM.

Re: Bedtime Advice

It may help to change diaper and swaddle after he's had his bottle so that he wakes up a bit and can help wiggle a burp out? Or maybe start the process 15 minutes earlier so he isn't quite so sleepy. With both my girls it was pretty tough to get them to burp if they were sleeping.

Also, as far as the swaddling is concerned, try leaving just one arm out at first. If it goes smoothly then give him a week of just one arm swaddled and then try both arms out. If he startles himself awake with one arm out then he may just not be ready to give up the swaddle. Good luck!

Re: Bedtime Advice

Bedtime Advice

Thank you all for your responses! The doctor told me to do a lot of what you all said. Tonight I'm going to feed him half the bottle in his pjs, burp him then put the swaddle on. I'm also going to give him has drops before I start the bottle. As for the lap burping, I usually hold his chest because he has control of his rad but I'll try holding te chin again. He's on similac alimentum for a milk protein allergy. I would think the allergy is acting up but since it's only this last bottle that he has issues with I'm not concerned.