My Premature Baby Won't Stop Crying

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My Premature Baby Won't Stop Crying

by Sonja
(Victoria, BC, Canada)

My baby was premature and has been home for about a month now. He has gotten into the habit of wanting to be held all the time and instantly sleeps when I hold him but a few minutes after i put him down he starts crying again.

I am not able to sleep or do anything as he always wants to be held. If I put him down and let him cry he gets into a constant cry and i feel bad and have to pick him up.

Should I be letting him cry it out? I have a bassinet right next to my bed and don't want to get into the habit of having us in our bed.

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My Premature Baby Won't Stop Crying

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Apr 20, 2010

A little newborn
by: Paula (Baby Help Line)

Hi Sonja,

Congratulations to your little son! I can totally relate to the feeling of being completely exhausted and not being able to do anything at all (including sleeping) while caring for a newborn baby. But try not to worry too much - this phase passes. And quickly too in retro-perspective.

Newborn babies often have shallow sleep and short sleep cycles. They are also not used to be even an inch away from their moms. This results in exactly what you are describing; that the little baby wants to be held around the clock.

I would absolutely not try any cry-it-out with a brand new baby. He is just learning to adapt to the world outside the womb and needs your support. I know it is exhausting beyond belief! But there are a few tricks you can try.

First thing; immediately get yourself a baby sling or carrier that works for newborn babies. This will free your hands despite carrying your baby, who is very likely to love sleeping in it.

Secondly, if you really want your baby to sleep in the bassinet, make it narrow and put one of your used bras or a shirt in it. Without risking that your son's face is covered by it - you can roll it tightly and place it close to his head for example. You'll find more tips on crib and cradle sleeping here.

Also consider co-sleeping. With my first child I felt exactly like you do - I didn't want to get into the habit of having my child in my bed - and I spent many hours awake and exhausted. With our second child I thought that heck, I have to sleep! So we co-slept, and I even nursed my son lying down more or less asleep. And I was a much healthier and happier new mom this time. Sleep really is essential.

Third, make sure your spouse, friend, mom or who ever that you rely on takes your baby out for a stroller walk (or sling walk) now and then, to give you some time for yourself. If you are worried that your baby will start crying without you, have them simply walk around your house or block - anything to give you just a little bit of rest.

And hang in there! At around three months, babies usually get into more stable sleep and eat routines, and also sleep deeper and with longer cycles. (You can read about babies' sleep patterns here.)

So by midsummer, you'll have a chubby, giggling little son, who won't make his mom quite as exhausted anymore.

Hope this helps,

Paula

Apr 28, 2010

It will stop...eventually
by: Candice

My son was also premature and did a very similar thing. We figured out that a lot of the problem was gas and our pediatrician recommended a medicine called Colic Calm which helps bind the gas. It helped very much and we were able to get a little rest, but the main solution is to just wait out the crying period. By about 3 months he was much better and now hes 4 months and sleeps through the night. My suggestion is get your partner (if you have one) to take shifts. Hope something in here helps.

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