No Sleep

ChrMoo · March 2014

Ladies I need some advise.....my 8 week old DD (born 3 weeks early) does not sleep. Though she was early she weight 8.3 and was given a clean bill of health. She is breastfed and given around 6oz daily of formula. She had been suffering from reflux (our ped said it was quit common in early babies but that she will grow out of it). It does seem to be getting better.

She does not sleep more than 2-3 hours. I can say 3 times I've gotten her to sleep 4 hours but on the norm I get 1 sleep cycle of 3 hours the rest she wakes every 1.5 to 2 hours. I don't know what to do as my oldest DD (now 2.5) was sleeping through the night at this age. I'm following all of the same routines as I did with my first but my LO just doesn't sleep. I've read all of these articles that babies sleep an average of 15 hours daily but I've times her sleeping and she doesn't sleep that much on average maybe 10 hours and all in very short sleep cycles. Is this common with early babies or did I just happen to give birth to the polar opposite of my first DD?

I'm starting to loose my sanity, I'm so tired. I feel horrible because I'm so exhausted during the day I spend no time with my toddler and have no desire to do anything which it's causing friction in my marriage. My husband thinks I'm lazy and all I want to do is sit around and watch TV. I resent him because he's getting a good night sleep daily and making comments that I'm lazy and we never do anything. I hate that not spending anytime with my eldest.....

Please tell me her sleeping issues are normal and will resolve.....

Carlysearle · March 2014

My LO was 3 weeks early, also has reflux and he sleeps 10+ hrs at night. He sleeps from 8 to 630 so I don't think it's related to being early. I'm sorry you are going through this. I wish I had more advice for you. Hugs

utlawgirl · March 2014

I feel for you -- sleep deprivation is the hardest. I do think it's normal at her age (especially since she was early) to be really irregular with sleep and sleep in short stretches. After 6-8 weeks (from the due date), babies tend to settle down at night and start sleeping longer stretches. So, there may be a light at the end of the tunnel soon!

Can your H step it up and help at night? Since it sounds like she's already getting bottles, it wouldn't hurt for him to take one of the night feeds, or at the very least, you can hand her off after you've nursed and have him comfort her to sleep.

Hang in there!

utlawgirl · March 2014

I feel for you -- sleep deprivation is the hardest. I do think it's normal at her age (especially since she was early) to be really irregular with sleep and sleep in short stretches. After 6-8 weeks (from the due date), babies tend to settle down at night and start sleeping longer stretches. So, there may be a light at the end of the tunnel soon!

Can your H step it up and help at night? Since it sounds like she's already getting bottles, it wouldn't hurt for him to take one of the night feeds, or at the very least, you can hand her off after you've nursed and have him comfort her to sleep.

Hang in there!