sleeping troubles???? - Infant Care (up to 18 months old) Message Board

hugs28 · 07-29-2005, 09:18 AM

hi all, I just had my baby on tuesday the 26th, but have a question about the sleeping habits. He nurses during the day and falls asleep pretty much right after, but at night it is different, he will nurse like 10-15 minutes, then sleep for bout half hour or so, then want to nurse again and this goes on all night.

What I am wondering if anyone has this problem and how I can change it, I am getting no sleep at all with this situation of mine. I cannot seem to get him to wake up to nurse for another 10-15 minutes so he has a full feeding, I change his diaper in between breasts, but it does not help. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. thanks

JenW67 · 07-29-2005, 09:33 AM

Hi Hugs,

The first week is extremely difficult. My guy is 4 weeks old and it is getting a bit better. He did the exact same thing your baby is doing during the first 10 days or so. I will give you the advice everyone gave me but was hard to follow. If you can, sleep during the day when you baby does. I know, easier said than done but even an hour here and there will make you feel better.

Second, if you can, keep him up for a while during the day. We did this by giving our little guy tummy time for 5 minute stretches. Also, you can keep him awake by taking him out of the swaddling blanket if you are using one. If my son had his way, he'd be wrapped up tight and warm all day and sleep the entire time. I try to wake him for 15-20 minute non-feeding sessions. He has started sleeping more at night now.

As for getting him to nurse longer at night, again I reccomend taking off a layer of his clothing. The nurses in the hospital taught me this trick. It keeps him awake for 20 minutes to feed, which is what they said was about hte right amount of time during the night.

Hang in there. You little guy's schedule may change a lot in the first few weeks. Sleep when you can.

-Jen

Kiera1595 · 07-29-2005, 09:50 AM

The new ones have a hard time figuring out night and day...and almost all of them seem to sleep well during the day and are up all night. The 1st month of DD's life we called her "party" because once 11pm rolled around she was UP and wanting to party all night.

I too suggest taking off a layer (or all) of his clothes. Also tickle the hands and feet. Nursing very often is common when they are brand new. At about 5 days of age mine litterally nursed for 3 hours straight one night. Every time I took her off the breast she cried and rooted. Once she was back on she was happy. I thought I was going nuts.

And yes, sleep when the baby does. Forget laundry, cleaning, everything. Go into survival mode. Eat, drink lots of water, and sleep. Everything else will have time later. Congrats on your new little one. And repeat the mantra "it will get easier"

2fst · 07-29-2005, 10:05 AM

Breast feeding is a full time job. One thing my mom did and I know my one aunt (has 13 kids) did too, is they would let the baby nurse and they would sleep. Basically leave a breast out for the little one and leave him on it. This way in the beginning you get sleep and they get what they want. Then after awhile switch sides. My mom did this and my sisters would be able to wake up and suck when they wanted to. It sounds not easy but they would lay on their side in bed and the baby next to them. They would stop eating when they were full but then when they wanted some more sips they would not have to root very far for what they were looking for. Most times it would just stay in there mouth. Once your baby gets older it will be a matter of weaning them off this. Plus he will be more ready for a schedule. And more then likely on his own start sleeping longer. We bought our little guy a swaddling blanket and he went from getting up every 3-4 hours to most nights going 6 hours. He is 7 wks now but the first 2 wks he was up exactly every 3 hours.

hugs28 · 07-29-2005, 11:56 AM

I know every 2-3 hours is normal, but not every half hour to hour, I do take his blankets and what not off, and I even use a cool wash rag and wipe him down, he cries and wakes up, then I put him back to nurse, he nurses 5 minutes again, and back to sleep, only to wake up again in half hour or so. I know its frustrating in the beginning lol, and I don't want the baby in bed with me, I don't want to break that habit later lol. I can't sleep during the day, I have a 4 1/2 yr old and she does not nap anymore, so that is out lol, I will just have to wait and see what happens. Thanks for the advice guys.