My baby girl sleeps 3 hours max during the night and then she'll want to stay up for 2 hours from 2-4am. I am so sleep deprived! I've been napping when she naps, but it doesn't seem to be enough. Help!
2007-01-10 18:22:20 · 15 answers · asked by andreakb1 2 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Newborn & Baby
A newborn NEEDS to be waking frequently to feed. Her little tummy is only the size of her fist. Breastmilk digests in about 90 minutes. It's normal for her to be waking up after 3 hours at this young age. She needs to eat frequently. Remember she is working hard to double birthweight by 6 mos. Think how often you'd need to eat if you had to double your weight that fast!
The problem you seem to have is her not going BACK to sleep. How does she act when she is up? (And that's a long time for a 2 week old to be alert!) It sounds like maybe her days and nights are still a bit mixed up. Make nighttime feedings BORING. Don't turn on lights. Don't talk to her. If you HAVE to talk, whisper. Keep everything dark and quiet.....a totally different mood than during the day. She will eventually get it.
Consider bringing her into bed with you. Just follow safe cosleeping guidelines.
Keep napping when she naps.
ETA:
And OMG don't let her scream for food like that one person said! (Sweet lucious) You should never deny a hungry baby a feeding! How cruel! How would you feel if you were helpless, woke up hungry and the person you were totally dependent on said, "Nope. Sorry." Part of being a PARENT is doing what's best for your baby. And sometimes that means losing sleep. Especially in the first 6 months. A 2 month old baby NEEDS to eat at night and is NOT manipulating you!!!!!
2007-01-11 00:39:14 · answer #1 · answered by momma2mingbu 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I know how you feel. Those first few weeks are hard, but it just takes time. See if you can find someone to come relieve you and help out for a couple of hours every once in a while for some quality sleep, but I promise it will get better. I am getting ready to go through this again for the 2nd time, and at least I do know what to expect this time. The first time, I was so sleep deprived, all I seemed to do was cry!
2007-01-11 02:33:41 · answer #2 · answered by E 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The No-Cry Sleep Solution: Gentle Ways to Help Your Baby Sleep Through the Night by Elizabeth Pantley and William Sears
2007-01-11 02:48:16 · answer #3 · answered by bogey 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You are out of luck for the most part. Your baby is going to wake up every three hours because she needs to eat that often. My baby was good though..she would wake I would quickly and quietly feed and change her and then put her back to sleep with very little stiumation. I had to put her to sleep near or in my bed to get her down..but keeping everything low key helped. She has been sleeping through the night since she was 2.5 months on that routine. Also make sure your baby is napping enough in the day time. Keep her alert and in sunny areas when she is awake in the day. And provide little stimuation at night so she knows its bed time. Just take care of the needs...put her in your bed (even temporarily) where it is dark and let her fall back esleep. That way she will get used to the idea that night is for sleep not play..dont neglect her needs though just deal with them quickly and quietly.
2007-01-11 12:26:42 · answer #4 · answered by jennyve25 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Hun,
Welcome to being a new mom. I know what your talking about all to well I have a 6 week old son who is just starting to sleep 5 hours at night and the rest of the day he wakes every 3 hours to feed. so be patient you have a little over a month to go before your baby will start to sleep longer most babies sleep about 3 hour awake to eat for the first month. my baby has his days and nights mixed up yesterday he slept all day and was up ALL NIGHT lol. But I still love him he will catch on soon as your baby will to. take care and enjoy they grow so fast in the first month!
2007-01-14 01:43:34 · answer #5 · answered by lynn 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I think babies start to sleep more through the night around three months. I know that probably sounds like an eternity from now but try to be patient. Most newborns need to be fed about every three hours but I don't have any good ideas as to how to get her to fall right back to sleep after she eats.Sorry.
2007-01-11 02:30:40 · answer #6 · answered by mindy 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Unfortunately, this is completely normal...however with luck it may be short lived. She may start sleeping longer at night within a couple of weeks. Make the best of it... sleep when she sleeps, if you have someone else helping you take care of her perhaps get them to help some time so you can take a longer nap and bear with it. Welcome to motherhood!
2007-01-11 02:32:11 · answer #7 · answered by newsoutherngirl 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
hi,sorry to the people who commented below but 2 weeks old is too early to be doing any controlled crying.at 2 weeks old babies cry for food and for comforting. At 2 weeks your milk supply is still working it's way up, and doesn't really settle into regular supply and demand until about 8 weeks, and then 4 weeks later you are up for a growth spurt.
3 hours is not a long sleep ,but for 2 weeks old breastfed baby it is normal. all I can suggest is feed again and I don't know if it's hot or cold where you are, but SWADDLE> while I worked in maternity and children's wards,swaddling worked really well.even babies we did not know until presented with them on the day, we were able to get to settle if they were swaddled well.(thatis wrapping bub tightly,arms tucked in a blanket or sheet if its hot)Most abies will sleep if swaddled and lightly patted on the bum or rocked in a pram or rocking bassinet.
good luck, i know you need sleep..............
2007-01-11 04:59:03 · answer #8 · answered by BeeMay 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
First of all if you are breastfeeding give her a bottle before you go to bed (this will satisfy her for longer).
The main problem parents have with new babies is that they will pick up the baby if they hear even a whimper. By doing this you are making it harder for yourself. Make it a general rule not to pick her up during certain hours of the night. Instead place your hand on her tummy and rub. The knowledge that you are there will soothe her.
Although it wont work immediately give it a try.
Good luck to both of you.
2007-01-11 02:38:29 · answer #9 · answered by Gem_Gem 1 · 0⤊ 3⤋
my little girl is 5 weeks and she was the same at first from 11 til 3am
all you can do is keep bedtime and night feeds as quiet,dark and calm as possible. If you breastfeed try lying down in bed to do this.
just hang in there it will get better soon
2007-01-11 07:24:07 · answer #10 · answered by bubblesburst80 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋