Eat, Play, Sleep, Repeat!
How do I know if my baby is restless, unable to settle because of digestion, needs burping or just needs a cuddle to sleep?
The 7pm to 7am Sleeping Baby Routine separates feeding and sleep with awake windows which not only ensures your baby builds enough sleep pressure to settling and sleep but encourages waking hours during the day and not at night. This also aids digestion to make sure your baby is gas free on settling to sleep.
If your baby is fed until full, burped effectively and frequently throughout the feed, during playtime while milk is digesting then digestive discomfort shouldn't come into play during naps and overnight.
If your baby is also happy and calm during the play periods post feeds then it's again unlikely to be digestion and gas that's upsetting your baby on settling or sleeping.
Digestion discomfort would usually happen surrounding the feed time not while sleeping.
However when breastfeeding and eating a gassy diet, this can have a negative impact on your baby's digestive comfort. Also if burping is ineffective, then yes a build up of gas throughout the day can cause discomfort between feeds. Signs of this would be obvious during feeds, play and sleep, perhaps unhappy and crying during play or unable to stay awake due to bloating.
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Equally if your baby isn't getting enough milk to support the routine then your baby will not be happy to settle which could be a sign of hunger.
On the cuddle front.. babies need a cuddle to calm and settle but wouldn't normally wake due to needing a cuddle, not unless this is an association with sleep.
And lastly... a secure sleep position gives comfort to settle so do check out my settling chapter and sleep positions.
I recommend getting a better understanding of your milk supply and baby's milk intake at each feed, always feed until full. Burp Burp Burp! Get into a pattern of feed, play and sleep repeat.
Enjoy the cuddles, they grow up so fast!
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