Doctor?

My 6 week old very alert baby is being very unlike himself today and it's scaring the hell out of me. This kid smiles and coos and laughs all the time. He really hasn't been.. He's always alert and wanting to be awake. In the crib, feedings, cuddling, playing in his bouncer... he's always got those eyes open and is so interested in everything. But all through the night and this morning he's just... he's been sleeping, keeps his eyes closed. He suddenly slept up to 4 hours at a time... which is a huge change from him waking up every hour or two almost like clockwork. He'd been eating a lot and the dr said it was due to a growth spurt... and now it's.. he's been eating less... once he only took half of his usual...but did eat more than the typical amount the next time.And his cry is off... it sounds like he has a sore throat just about...

He's 6 week and 3 days. He was born at 37 weeks, I was induced. He was in th nursery where I had him for 2 days on oxygen then they discovered air between his lungs and he was transferred to the closest NICU. They had a chest tube put in that morning and it was out and he had no air left in the pocket the following morning... he was off of oxygen and out into an open crib just a few days later.. but we ended up staying a total of 9 days in the NICU (last was "room in" day) mostly having to get him to feed more regularly and such.

But he's been great since. We've gone to the doctor every week. He's been eating more and more, and has been gaining weight. He hasn't been fussy and carrying on exception of one night weeks ago. His temp has maintained around 98... have check at every feeding for several hours.

Is this normal or do I need to get him to the doctor?

DD always slept a bunch with growth spurts. He could be teething too

I think you need to call your doctor and ask to talk to the nurse.
She knows your history and everything from his chart. And she will know the best advice.

I would guess that he is probably having a growth spurt and his body needs extra rest.

If he is acting lethargic you should take him in.

Sounds like a growth spurt...

Growth spurt. They always freak me out because my son acts like the complete opposite of his usual self.

With his history, I think you should at least call. Better to be safe than sorry.

SOunds lieka growth spurt to me..my son actually slept more and ate less most of the time he was going through them. But if you are worried call the doctor, at least you could talk to the nurses wiht your concern, especially if you think his cry is off due to a sore throat.