days/nights mixed up - HELP

MNheidi

I have a great eater and sleeper BUT she has slept ALL day today and was up for much of last night.  She wakes for feedings during the day and cluster fed last night from 10-2 until she finally slept from 3-7.

ANYWAY... I'm worried we're going to be up all night again.  

Any tips on trying to keep your nb awake?

DrDPM

From what I remember from med school (and I may be wrong, so don't quote me on this), newborns don't produce serotonin right away (which regulates sleepiness/wakefulness), so their little bodies don't recognize day and night yet. Give it time and she'll get the hang of it!

JessLingle

I do my best to just keep him awake a little throughout the day and try and keep a somewhat regular routine.  I find that if he gets a bath around the same time every night and I use the J&J bedtime bath, that it really helps.  Then he gets relaxed and does his last feeding before I put him to bed.  This usually gets me 4 hours of sleep and more regular waking times.

k.linn

It took about two weeks for DD to get the hang of night and day. Our pedi told us to not try and keep her awake during the day. Many times this can lead to baby becoming overstimulated and so tired they can't sleep. Ditto the nighttime ritual for bed, and LO should fall into a normal pattern soon.

SarahSmile907

We had the same problem.  I started establishing a bed time and a time to wake up.  Any wake time after 8am means the shade gets opened, he gets a sponge bath, gets dressed, eats, plays then takes a morning nap in his swing or playpen on the 1st floor.  Afternoon nap and bedtime are the only times he is in his crib. 

Also, he gets a bath each night at 8pm, gets massage with lotion then jammies, swaddle, then eats in the dark with sound machine on.

Just be as consistent as you can, it's really tough in the morning to get up and start your day when you haven't slept all night but you have to break the cycle somehow.

Good luck!