My nephew turned 7 weeks today (about 5 minutes ago actually!!) and we've been having some issues with him.

He doesn't like his swing, bouncer, carseat, ANYTHING he is only happy if he is eating or being held. Even sometimes when you are holding him he will cry... I can remember that I could put Brendan in his swing and he'd be fine, I could actually get things done.

With my nephew it's just not like that, do we let him cry it out in the bouncer/swing/etc in hopes of him getting used to it, do we just hold him all the time even when he's crying? HELP HELP HELP...

He did have some stomach issues at the beginning but has been doing MUCH better since being changed to the sensitive formula and if burped correctly he does great.

Also I forget, how much should a newborn sleep during the day? He sleeps ALOT 18-20 hours would be my guess and usually it's just because he's not happy anywhere else.

Any thoughts/ideas would be GREATLY appreciated!

By Brandy on Wednesday, September 10, 2008 - 11:31 am:

I can't help you on the crying issues but nicholas used to sleep alot probably close to what you nephew sleeps? and he was perfectly fine he would wake up to eat and go pretty much right back to sleep = )

By Enchens on Wednesday, September 10, 2008 - 12:14 pm:

When my little one was a baby a nurse suggested getting a snugli, those baby carrier things that you put on a person. Little did I know that that was just a generic term she used as I found out there were tons of them! lol

That may work. What I ended doing was just swaddling my baby and keeping him warm enough. Once he was asleep, I could do stuff. I will admit that there were times when I did just sit there and hold him. At night, when crying was the worst, I'd bundle him up and take him for a ride in his stroller. It's amazing how many neighbors I met in our complex that way! lol

My second baby was content to eat, sleep, poop, cry, repeat. He slept A LOT! lol

I hope this helps you a little.

By Dawnk777 on Wednesday, September 10, 2008 - 12:20 pm:

My friend Edie, would have just sat and held the baby, if the baby wanted to be held. Me, I just couldn't do that, because I couldn't sit still that long! Mine were content to sleep or be in the swing, though. A baby sling or wrap thing, where you are holding the baby, but don't have to "hold" the baby might help.

By Debbie on Wednesday, September 10, 2008 - 02:50 pm:

My youngest ds liked to be held a lot. I too got a snugli. It was a lifesaver. I had a 2 yr. old, so I couldn't just sit and hold him. I would put him in the snugli and go! After a few months, he was better about being held. But, I will say he is and always will be a momma's boy. He is 8, and still loves to snuggle with me.

By Cheerio on Thursday, September 11, 2008 - 03:47 pm:

My first DD was exactly the same way. I used to take her to the mall just to get out of the house and she would cry the whole way there in the carseat and then cry the entire time while in the stroller until I picked her up. I used to be so envious of all the other moms whose babies just slept while they shopped. All I could think is what is wrong with my baby! She only slept if you held her. She also was a chronic nurser. I swear I spent 90% of my day with her attached to me. I bought a BabyBjorn and it was a godsend to help me get stuff done around the house. I started to feel guilty when I hadn't made a meal in two months! She took all her naps in the Bjorn and didn't take a nap in her crib until she was 6 months old. I finally gave up and had to do the cry it out method and within a week she took naps like clockwork. She was never officially diagnosed with colic, but I think we had a little bit of that going on. I actully blamed it on my labor. I had horrible back labor for 2 straight days before my water finally broke and then it took me over 2.5 hours to push her out. That had to be traumatic on her. I think your nephew is a little young for crying it out and some kids just never like the swing or bouncy seat. Definitely try wearing him around and see if that helps.

By Reds9298 on Friday, September 12, 2008 - 08:19 pm:

Is he still be swaddled? If not, could it just be that he still *wants* to be?

I didn't have one like that, but I can imagine how frustrating it is. I would try the snugli, but I had a Bjorn and didn't like wearing it for long periods of time. Maybe a snugli is better.

I personally would probably try the snugli. If that doesn't seem to help, I probably would hold A LOT, then put him down and let him cry a little. Hold a lot, down to cry a little. It might take a while. I wouldn't let him cry for too long at his young age, but I personally would for a little bit, if nothing else seems to be working. Does he stop crying as soon as he's picked up? I think that's the key - if he is, then you know he just wants to be held and it's not some other issue, you know?