When does this get any easier??

Question

I have a 10 day old little girl, and she's sweet and precious and amazing and I love her, but I am worn out. When will she start to get into more of a routine (as far as eating and sleeping, etc)? Right now I feel like I'm nursing her 24 hours a day, and the only sleep I get is if I doze off in the rocking chair with her. And how do I keep her entertained for the few hours a day that she's awake? The swing is hit or miss, and I'm really running out of ideas!

Answer 1

Oh, it's so hard to have a newborn. And admitting that that is true doesn't make you a bad mom!!

First, memorize this: This Too Shall Pass

Every hideous phase your baby gies through is just a temporary phase. At the time it is going on it seems like the end of the world but really, try to give it some prespective.

Okay, now that you have memorized that, let's address the problem at hand.

You feel like you are nursing her constantly because you are. And you will for a few more weeks! DOn't worry about what isn't getting done (vacuuming, cooking) just whip out the boob, keep some snacks, the remote and a big glass of water near you, and nurse that little bird!

Take her on walks in the stroller. She isn't too little for this. Just do it before the day gets too hot, either in the morning or evenings.

As far as keeping her busy...you can show her things (I used to walk mine around the house while keeping a monologue going about nothing in particular), sing to her, give her a bath (once her belly button falls off), and soon, take her to Target and shop with her.

Good luck-soon, this will all be just a memory and she WILL have a schedule.

Answer 2

That's how the first 3-4 weeks pretty much go.
Hang in there - only about 2 more weeks to go! She will get into somewhat of a routine.
She's too young to try to keep awake. Let her sleep when she wants to. As long as she doesn't have her days and nights mixed up.
I went through the same thing w/ my last child. She was constantly nursing the first month - it seemed like that's all I got done.
But remember, babies also need to suck to comfort themselves.
Have you tried giving her a binkie?? I tried w/ my daughter and luckily she took it. Still does and she's 4 1/2 months old now - still breastfeeding too!!
Good luck!
It does get better. Then you will look back and miss these days!

Answer 3

Actually, it will be over way too soon, and you'll miss your 'new' daughter even though you'll love her just as much as she grows. Babies do 'sleep a lot' and they are also VERY DEMANDING when they are 'hungry' ... and I think that one way you can 'get more rest' is to put her bassinet right next to your bed, so all you have to do is get her out and stick her onto your breast and 'doze off' while she eats at night ... and when she's emptied the first breast, she'll 'wiggle' or 'vry out' quietly so that you can 'switch teats' and she can 'finish her meal without you ever having to 'get up' and it in a chair. You also need to just 'lie down' when you put her down to sleep ... and you d on't need to 'entertain her' when she's awake at all, but if you 'carry her' then she'll be getting all of the 'loving' that she needs at this age. When she's about four months old, you can spread a blanket on the floor and put her down on her belly there (make sure she's 'awake' and won't just fall asleep) so she can 'look around' ... and that's when you can use a 'rattle' to attract her attention so that she can learn to 'reach' grab' and hold as well as to 'move around' ... she'll learn to crawl at about six months ... and THEN you'll be 'glad' for all of the 'sweet cuddling' you're able to get in now.

Answer 4

For me, it didn't get easier until my son was 3mo. And there was no routine until he was 2mo. But every baby is different. I feel ya! It's not easy the first few months. You should get a carrier or a sling because I wish that I would have done that more often when he was younger. Seriously, they grow way too fast, so soak it up while you can. Sleep when your baby sleeps and your life isn't going anywhere so it's ok to be sleep deprived for a while, it will get back to normal soon. We have all been there and congrats!

Answer 5

I remember those days...bless your heart...I was breast feeding and I used Chlorophyll and alfalfa and red raspberry herbs together in a capsule to make my milk thick and rich and Jenny started sleeping thru the night at just two weeks old! As far as keeping her entertained... a mobil with moving parts and colors usually kept mine busy and usually soothing music always helped. keep things in same time patterns so that a pattern can develop...try to keep the same eating times...so her tummy can govern a pattern...believe me it goes by in a blink of an eye...all of a sudden you wake up and your kids are 23 and 30 and you have a grandchild....treasure every precious moment...it is like a blade of grass....here today gone tomorrow...oh and to help you get energy quick...take a B-100 complex which will calm your nerves and give you stamina...a month from now you will not even remember how hectic it is....this to shall pass.....is a great saying for times like these.......hang in there.....it is hard work but worth it...learn to take mini breaks...mini vacations...hope it helps.

Answer 6

First off -
Sleep when she sleeps. Give up on the idea of getting all your sleep at night early on.

Next -
Bring her into bed with you. Then all you need to do is roll over to feed her. Just follow safe cosleeping guidelines. You'll both get so much more rest this way.

Normal to feel like you do nothing but nurse in the first weeks. Her tummy is tiny, breastmilk digests in about 90 mins and they go through a lot of growth spurts early on. The first 6 weeks is the hardest part.

What's normal in the first 6 weeks -
http://www.kellymom.com/bf/normal/newborn-nursing.html

Answer 7

My girl put herself on a schedule (loose, but a schedule) by 8 weeks. She would wake at 7ish. Cat nap off and on in the morning and in early afternoon. Then when I got home from work at 4 (my mom watched her at our house), I would get her fed and cleaned and then lie down on the couch or bed with her either in the crook of my arm or face down on my chest and we'd take a good long nap (2-3hours some days!!!) Then we'd get up and play and have dinner and pass the time til 10 or 11 when she'd go to bed for the night.

Answer 8

Welcome to jungle !

We have a 8 month old. He took about 4 weeks to get adjusted with sleep. If we give him a little bit more milk before going to sleep he tend to sleep longer. After 4 months he started getting teeth and a whole new thing started.

So I think you are going to have your hands full for a long time.

I remember a joke,
One guy gets gets married and next week he is asking the same question to his buddies "When is it going to stop ? " His buddies say wait for couple of months and it won't matter. He is confused and the friend explains "You will get used to it"

Answer 9

I had this problem. I had to stop nursing! They go longer with a bottle. 10 days old, it's pretty hard to keep her entertained it took a good month or two to put my daughter under the gym with the hanging toys. Trust me, it'll get easier. I had plenty of days calling my dad crying saying, "i just need a break." and he said to me, "suck it up kid, it gets easier." and you know what? he was right! It does!! There is light at the end of the tunnel. 10 days is SO young. My daughter was a LOUD handful for a good 7 weeks. Good luck and if you ever need to vent or talk feel free to contact me! :)

Answer 10

The easiest solutions are those that have been around for centuries. Wear your baby in a sling (practice hands-free nursing in one in front of a mirror), sleep when your baby sleeps, and sleep with your baby!

Babies don't need to be "entertained" Just put her on you and go about your business. She will learn how the real world works and be content with the motion and rythym of your daily tasks.

http://www.continuum-concept.org/

http://www.nineinnineout.org/

http://www.askdrsears.com/html/7/T070100.asp