Sleep deprived ebf

I'm so sleep deprived. Everytime DD is finally asleep and I'm about to get read to nap DD wakes up and cries and there goes me resting. Any advice on what I should do so I can get some rest. I'm so tired and cranky I'm actually thinking about stopping ebf so I can get some rest.

Re: Sleep deprived ebf

I remember those days!
In the beginning my DS wanted to be breastfed every 1.5 hours around the clock. I was miserable. I was pumping also so I would have DH help out with feedings when I was exhausted. Eventually after about 2 months he started taking about 1-2 bottles of formula a day, which helped him last a little longer.
Good luck to you

Re: Sleep deprived ebf

Ive pumped and had DH feed at least once to get a straight 2 hour rest. I had prepared bottles in the fridge. They say formula may hold a baby off a little longer than BM. If you don't have the extra help maybe give a bottle of formula just at night to hold her/him off a little longer. Hang in there I know it's hard it will get easier and they will sleep longer. The early months are the hardest.

Sleep deprived ebf

Try to hang in there, it will start to get easier! Do you have any help during the day? If you have DH or a family member that can come over, leave your LO with them as soon as you've had a good feeding and go grab a nap. It can be hard to relax wondering how and what they're doing but you need to rest. Also, try sleeping in as much as you can. DH would take DD before he went to work after I fed her and would put her back in the bassinet once she was back to sleep. This way I could sleep from 6-9 some mornings which was always the best sleep for me. Don't be afraid to ask for help, and be specific about how people can help. You're doing great!

Re: Sleep deprived ebf

Unfortunately that is the downside of ebf...it may help if you can pump and have your husband give your LO a bottle while you catch up on some z's at night. I would pump and go to sleep at 9 on the weekends and my husband would fill in until I woke up, which was about 1 or 2 to feed again. It gets a little easier around 1.5-2 months. DS nurses around 9pm and sleeps until 12:30-1am. I then nurse again and he'll wake up again around 3 or 4 for the next feeding. So it is getting easier, and you do get sort of used to the broken sleep. Hang in there...don't give up breast feeding. You're going to love it, seriously. I'm going back to work in January when DS will be 4 months and I'm dreading the pumping sessions at work.

Re: Sleep deprived ebf

I know what you mean, I'm in the same boat , but please don't give up BF just yet, just hang in there , it'll get better, I BF DD for 7 mo and woke upevery 1.5 -2 hrs first almost 3 months, I was exhausted, so finally at almost 3 mo my ped said to start mixing formula or cereal w BM at night , I did and so she would sleep 4 hrs.
Now with DS I'm going through the same thing, he is a little piglet like his sister, he turned 5 w yesterday , he woke up every 1.5 - 2 hrs for 4 .5 weeks, then few days ago he started waking up every 2-3 hrs, which is not great but better than 1.5 hrs . I'm hoping that in a couple of weeks he'll start sleeping even more, otherwise I'm thinking I'll start mixing formula or cereal with BM and give it to him at night only. Sleep deprivation is even harder now that I have 2

Sleep deprived ebf

you could pump the overnight bottles.... ped told me at the 1 week visit its still your milk regardless of how you feed it(which was great for me cause the pump was more effective/faster for me).... the MAM brand nipples I found to be closer to breast like so you can keep doing both.

Re: Sleep deprived ebf

Re: Sleep deprived ebf

Re: Sleep deprived ebf

I pump at 9:30 and DH gives him a bottle around 11. So I can sleep from 10 till 2 or 3am. This help so much! I also give him a bottle of expressed milk if he is cluster feeding and my boobs need a break. Hang in there

Message edited 10/20/2012 7:51:28 PM.

Re: Sleep deprived ebf

Ds nursed every hour and a half for first six weeks. Around the 3-4th week, I began to pump so Dh could feed him. We split the night into two shifts. I was with DS from 10-2 am and dh was with him 2am- 6 am. During Dh shifts, he fed him bottles of breastmilk, so I could get a couple of hours of sleep.

I was never able to fall asleep quickly no matter how tired i was. It always took and still takes me about 45 minutes to an hour to fall asleep, so i was never able to sleep when the baby slept.

But I promise, it gets better.

Re: Sleep deprived ebf

Re: Sleep deprived ebf

I used to give one bottle of enfamil (well DH would) and I would pump and go to bed earlier. It helped me get some extra sleep during that sleep deprived time LOL!

Re: Sleep deprived ebf

I remember those days all too well. I promise with time, it will get better! Like a PP mentioned, nursing laying down was so helpful. Even though I wouldn't fall asleep, just laying there with my eyes closed made a big difference.
Definitely let everything else go for now, cleaning, cooking, laundry, etc. The minute you put DD down, go lay down!
Hang in there

Sleep deprived ebf

I would definitely trying to lay down while nursing it helped me catch some zzz's and help my back from holding DS....... the first couple of weeks stink but i will get better it sooo worth it!

Re: Sleep deprived ebf

I don't understand, if you fall asleep nursing then cant the baby roll off the bed, or you roll over onto the baby then? Isnt that a sids risk?

Re: Sleep deprived ebf

Don't have any words of wisdom, but wanted to show 2:45am support...since you are probably up or will be up soon. I'm sure it will get better.

Re: Sleep deprived ebf