Sleepless in Charleston

"Back is Best" is the slogan for putting babies to sleep. Unfortunately, Madeleine does not like sleeping on her back.

The first few weeks we thought she wasn't sleeping very long because she was just young and hungry. A month later, it seemed to be getting worse. She started sticking her tongue out and grimacing, especially after nursing, and making terrible "throaty" noises that sound like choking when placed on her back. At a month old, I was lucky to get her to sleep for 1-2 hours. This makes for one REALLY exhausted mama. We started letting her nap in her rocking chair or swing and she slept better and without all the noises.

After a rough Friday night, we took her to the pediatrician (yes, our pediatrician has walk-in hours on weekends - so nice!) and they confirmed that she has a bit of reflux but she is gaining weight like a champ (she is up to 10 pounds!). He said to try an elevate the crib (we already tried a crib wedge but it's not high enough) and that I could try to cut out some dairy from my diet. Other than that, this is something she will have to outgrow. He was against medication because they don't know the long-term effects on infants.

At almost 7 weeks, M will only sleep in her swing. Although the pediatrician seemed to think it was okay for her to sleep in her swing, it makes me nervous that once the reflux is gone, she is going to have a hard time transitioning to the crib. And I really hate that she doesn't sleep in the safest place for her - on her back, in her crib - but we both need sleep so I guess for now this will have to do. She has begun to sleep for 3-4 hours this week but usually its around 2-3 hours. I'm really hoping that she will grow out of this soon!!!

Here she is in the only place she will sleep...

And when she would nap in her rocking chair...