Newborn and sleep

All the sudden my almost 5 week old son is going to sleep (after lots of patting and bouncing!!) but he wakes up after like 15 min or so.  I know there is not anything hurting him-at least on the outside that I can tell.  I am still holding him so its not because I put him down.  There is no change in temp or anything like that either.  So I am at a loss!!  Any suggestions?  Do I need to check with my pediatrician??  Maybe there is something on the inside hurting??  Oh by the way im pretty sure its not gas either because he is not passing any gas soon after he wakes up.  Oh and when he wakes up he cries and cries!!  I would too though!!  ;)  Thanks in advance!!

[lornesmom]

Still kind of sounds like gas. Maybe its trapped and thats why its painful and he's not passing any. Gas seems to be linked to bottle feeding, so if you are breastfeeding, its not as likely. If it is gas, holding him in a position where his weight provides a little light pressure on his abdomen or laying him on his stomach might bring some relief.
Hope that helps.

[Maca726]

I would try treating it (as lornesmom says) for gas. What I found useful when my daughter was small was a little very soft straw like thing that I would gently insert in her bum....it was unbelievable how much gas seeped through it...and then she would spray
:-)...I still do help her from time to time if she has trouble with #2 by gently inserting the tip of thermometer in her rectum. It works wonders.
PS: massaging his tummy and doing little exercises with his legs (knees to his chest etc) helps too.
All the best, it is tough but temporary.
Also, your own stress can contribute, try to relax if you can and if you know all is fine let him cry for a while then put him down etc...

[tiredbuthappy]

have you tried swaddling? i am finding that to be a solution to many of our sleep challenges, even now at 11 weeks old

[ginhut03]

Thanks I will try to treat him for gas!!  Yes I do swaddle him when we are home....it does work most of the time!!  Thanks to all!!

[mami1323]

Some babies just like the closeness of mom and don't like to be put down.  It doesn't really sound much like gas if he's content in your arms but cries as soon as you put him down.  Have you tried using a co-sleeper?  I also feel like the rocking is soothing him and once you set him down he's not being rocked anymore.  That could lead to further sleeping issues as they get older because they will be so used to being rocked to sleep.  Does he wake a lot during naps or is it just at nights?

[motherofan18month]

my daughter is almost 3 months old and is still this way but i din't get to hold her for 3 weeks after she was born! (i was only able to hold her 1 time when she was 6 days old) her ped. told me that she more than likely needs to be close to me since we didn't have much bonding when she was born! yet still treat your baby for gas....all of the above suggestions are great gas solvers!