sleeping at night

I have a 2 1/2 week old baby girl. Since bringing hrr home her sleep patterns are all over the place obviously. Theres no consistency and her days/nights are obviously mixed up.

First issue and question: how dobi help her get her days/nights straight? I already open the shades in thr morning. We go for a morning walk. And nowv i wake her every 2-3 hours. I do not let her get that long 4 hour stretch in during the day. What else can i do? None of this seems to help cause she seems to be up more at night.also when i try to wake her during yhe day she screams until she getsca bottle then goes right back to sleep. Its not like shes awake and happy and payin attention to any stimulation that is offered. (ie music, light up toys, her rainforest bouncer thingy)
I know shes only 2 1/2 weeks but I read and hear so much conflicting information on this from baby books to websites to friends with kids.

Second issue and question: She wont fall asleep unless shes in someones arms. And worse she wont stay asleep at night for longer than an hour unless shes on either my husbands or my chest. This is a huge problem that I want to rectify now. Again the books tell me not to worry theres no spoiling an infant but my peds told me we have to break her out of this now. I know its our fault weve had our moms or other family at the house that love holding her. Which i have told since to stop letting her sleep in their arms. I have tried everything every different seat and bassinet. I even let her cry for a few min without picking her up. Nothing is working and im exhausted. This inconsistency of where she will sleep is making me nuts since theres no rhyme or reason to it. 1 nap session shell sleep in the swing the next session shes screaming to be picked up then the next shell sleep in her bouncer chair. What do i do to start to create something consistent??? Im desperate.

Re: sleeping at night

She is way to little for consistency let alone crying it out IMO. Have you tried the Rock n play or a baby carrier? My DD napped in either her swing or RNP at that age she also loved the moby wrap.

sleeping at night

I have the rock and play thats what we use at night. And some nights shes ok in it and others she lasts an hour tops then wants to be picked up and falls right back ro sleep

Re: sleeping at night

I believe at that age you can't spoil a baby. She probably likes sleeping on one of you because the sounds are familiar from in the womb (your heartbeat, etc.). Maybe try sitting with her, with her in her swing or RNP and gently rub her arms or head so she knows you are there, though at 2.5 weeks I don't think there is an issue with holding her to fall asleep...

Consistency isn't something you are going to see for awhile You can follow a morning routine or even a bedtime routine, but until your baby sleeps through the night well, you really aren't going to have a schedule. I think I had one at 8 months finally.

All newborns do is sleep, wake up to eat, poop and cry. 2.5 weeks is a little too young to let your baby cry for awhile...she can't soothe herself and thats generally why parents let their kids cry it out, because they are capable of soothing themselves.

Newborns are tough, partially because there is no schedule...but you'll get through it!

sleeping at night

I remember thinking that DD would learn the difference between night and day around that time. Just keep things quiet and not stimulating at night and then try to engage her during the day. Eventually, when she's ready she'll get it. I don't think holding her or picking her up when she's crying is wrong. She needs to know you are there so she will feel secure and be better able to soothe herself in the future. If she needs some comfort, then hold her, I don't think there's anything wrong with that. The first few weeks are difficult and tiring but things will get easier.

Re: sleeping at night

I think until 4 months old, they have no idea what is going on and I would just let their natural rythyms take over. Obviously keep lights low at night, bright during the day, but other than that let her sleep when she needs to. She is only 2 weeks old! PLEASE do not let her cry I know it's hard. Trust me. But just try to get through it and she'll be STTN in no time

sleeping at night

I only let her cry because peds told me to. And from reading posts, books and talking to friends everyone tells me something different. O their kid was sleeping yhrough the night. Or their kid slept in the crib from day one without needing to be held or nursed. Theres so much info that it gets really confusing. Im completelu new to this. Im a first time mom with no previous infant experience. So i dont know what to follow. I dont expect her to sleep through the night and never cry i juat wanted to know when they start to learn this and when do i start showig

Re: sleeping at night

sleeping at night

Thank you mrst! All of this is so ovwrwhelming! So much to learn and try to underatand...

Re: sleeping at night

First of all I just want to send you . The first few weeks with a newborn are almost impossible to get through lol. It's so unbelievably hard. They are so new to everything and can't really function yet.

You're SO not alone. these are struggles almost everyone goes through. My DH and I would be up EVERY night switching off who held her while she slept. Each of us did 3 hour stretches with her on our chests on the living room couch. it was horrible but the only way she would sleep. We kept trying to put her down in something. Soothe and put down but she would just scream so we held her. Finally she would stay in something (mostly the rnp) for longer than a few minutes and started stretching out her sleep so DH and I could both sleep together in bed and have her in the rnp at night.

Keep trying to put her down in something. Even if she's only in it for 20 minutes. For naps, it's okay to put her in different things throughout the day. I did. It would be whatever she would tolerate. Swing, boppy, pnp, crib

It's never too early to start a routine at night either. Something simple. Close all the windows and drapes, turn off the lights (you still need to be able to see though), talk soft, don't stimulate her by happy or excited talking or noises. Talk soft, speak very little to her. She has to know night is dark and quiet and sleep time. Feed her and put on a sleep sack or swaddle her, rock her and then put her down in something. Do that every night.

I know it seems very, very far away. But she WILL get there. She will eventually figure it out and this scary period of no sleep will fade away. You're doing a great job, mommy. Keep it up and get some rest.

ETA: use a sound machine! it was the only way we could get our DD to quiet/stop fussing long enough to nap and sleep

Message edited 7/12/2012 9:00:37 PM.

sleeping at night

Those first few months are SO difficult and overwhelming. My best advice to you is to just let your DC take the lead and follow her cues. DD napped wherever, whenever. There was no schedule until about 4 months when she put herself on one. Just be consistent with your routines. I don't think it's ever too early to start with them.

Re: sleeping at night

sleeping at night

Thank you all so much! Mamapapabear you made me cry! Thank you I needed that! Its so hard to know whats right and whats wrong... Ill just follow my babys cues and see what works for me.

sleeping at night

Hang in there- you're doing great! I could've written this post myself in the very beginning (minus the day/night confusion). I wanted to listen to the peds and family and friendsnthat said, don't spoil him, don't let him get used to that, that's a bad habit. For a few days I listened to them, then all of a sudden I came to my senses and went with my instincts. Why am I denying this newborn baby of his only request? He wants to be held, I'm his mother and will hold him!
That was it, my life was changed forever. I got a Moby Wrap and he took (and still takes) most of his naps in there, but if he needs to be down, he'll go. Early dependence-> later independence.
There's no such thing as a bad habit for a baby, as well as spoiling. In my opinion, YOU CANNOT SPOIL A BABY WITH NURTURE, LOVE AND AFFECTION!

Go with your instincts momma! Screw everyone else, even the peds! (and I'm also a medically educated person, but eff them and their "baby training"

Edited to say: I hope this makes sense. sorry I'm all over the place, I'm lacking sleep as my 5mo is teething.

Read this: Fourth Trimester

Message edited 7/13/2012 8:00:08 PM.

Re: sleeping at night

This was my DS as well, literally only slept on our chests for the first 8 weeks. It will get better, right now she is adjusting to life outside of the womb. Eventually she will start sleeping longer stretches on crib or RnP, etc.

Those first few weeks are so tough but hang in there and go with your instinct, you won't spoil her this little. Everyone told me I was crazy but I didn't listen because I knew it wouldn't last forever (eventhough it felt like it did)

As for day/night confusion, at night I always kept things dark and quiet and daytime had the blinds open, TV on etc. She will get the hang of it

Re: sleeping at night

With both my girls I started a nighttime routine very early and only swaddled them at night. First few weeks the routine was useless but I kept at it and still only swaddled at night. Both girls started sttn (IMO that'sa sign of them learning their day/nights) at about 8-9 weeks. AlsO for daytime naps as others have suggested keep it bright and "loud" so they don't sleep too long or too soundly.

I'm in the thick of it myself so I feel ya! : )

Re: sleeping at night

Posted by MamaPapaBear

First of all I just want to send you . The first few weeks with a newborn are almost impossible to get through lol. It's so unbelievably hard. They are so new to everything and can't really function yet.

You're SO not alone. these are struggles almost everyone goes through. My DH and I would be up EVERY night switching off who held her while she slept. Each of us did 3 hour stretches with her on our chests on the living room couch. it was horrible but the only way she would sleep. We kept trying to put her down in something. Soothe and put down but she would just scream so we held her. Finally she would stay in something (mostly the rnp) for longer than a few minutes and started stretching out her sleep so DH and I could both sleep together in bed and have her in the rnp at night.

Keep trying to put her down in something. Even if she's only in it for 20 minutes. For naps, it's okay to put her in different things throughout the day. I did. It would be whatever she would tolerate. Swing, boppy, pnp, crib

It's never too early to start a routine at night either. Something simple. Close all the windows and drapes, turn off the lights (you still need to be able to see though), talk soft, don't stimulate her by happy or excited talking or noises. Talk soft, speak very little to her. She has to know night is dark and quiet and sleep time. Feed her and put on a sleep sack or swaddle her, rock her and then put her down in something. Do that every night.

I know it seems very, very far away. But she WILL get there. She will eventually figure it out and this scary period of no sleep will fade away. You're doing a great job, mommy. Keep it up and get some rest.

ETA: use a sound machine! it was the only way we could get our DD to quiet/stop fussing long enough to nap and sleep

Message edited 7/13/2012 10:15:46 PM.

Re: sleeping at night

Posted by MrsCampos10-01-10

Hang in there- you're doing great! I could've written this post myself in the very beginning (minus the day/night confusion). I wanted to listen to the peds and family and friendsnthat said, don't spoil him, don't let him get used to that, that's a bad habit. For a few days I listened to them, then all of a sudden I came to my senses and went with my instincts. Why am I denying this newborn baby of his only request? He wants to be held, I'm his mother and will hold him!
That was it, my life was changed forever. I got a Moby Wrap and he took (and still takes) most of his naps in there, but if he needs to be down, he'll go. Early dependence-> later independence.
There's no such thing as a bad habit for a baby, as well as spoiling. In my opinion, YOU CANNOT SPOIL A BABY WITH NURTURE, LOVE AND AFFECTION!

Go with your instincts momma! Screw everyone else, even the peds! (and I'm also a medically educated person, but eff them and their "baby training"

Edited to say: I hope this makes sense. sorry I'm all over the place, I'm lacking sleep as my 5mo is teething.

Read this: Fourth Trimester