Asleep or crying, no in between

doz&koz

These days I feel like my babies are either asleep or crying, there's really no in between.  I've tried various waketime activities with them, many of which end with them crying (like tummy time) and when I try to put them down for a nap, they cry.  They both ate 5 oz. 2 hours ago and I've burped them and I changed their diapers.  Neither of them seem to be running a temperature and I don't think they are sick. Am I doing something wrong or are they just going through a phase?  Please tell me this isn't going to last forever.

Haven1

Mine did the same thing about that age.  Are they sleeping enough? Have they been up for the last 2 hours?

I ask because I had no idea how LITTLE time babies were supposed to be awake then.  I used to think it was an accomplishment when they stayed awake for the 3 hours between feedings.  Um, no.  No wonder mine cried constantly.  They were exhausted!

At 6-7 weeks, they should be sleeping between every feeding and for a long time.  I'd shake toys at them thinking they weren't happy, and what I should have been doing was putting them down in a quiet place and letting them nap.

Good luck to you.  Those first couple months are hard, but it gets better and so much fun.

kafunder

DS was like this. I think it was a bit of colic and gas, and he was generally just a fussy baby. Also, I agree with Haven--are you trying to keep them up too long. Even at 2 months, my LOs could only stay awake for about 60-90 minutes, especially after their first bottle of the day. At that point, feeding both babies was an hour long activity). So, I'd finish feeding them, and then they'd have less than 30 minutes before it was time to put them down again. Once I realized this, the babies got a lot happier (especially DS).

doz&koz

I've been afraid they were sleeping too much.  This morning I fed them starting at 8 and then changed them and got them ready for the day.  They were both back down by 9:30.  One or both cried until the next feeding.  Hopefully this is just a difficult period and will pass quickly.

babya2010

Haven1:

Mine did the same thing about that age.  Are they sleeping enough? Have they been up for the last 2 hours?

I ask because I had no idea how LITTLE time babies were supposed to be awake then.  I used to think it was an accomplishment when they stayed awake for the 3 hours between feedings.  Um, no.  No wonder mine cried constantly.  They were exhausted!

At 6-7 weeks, they should be sleeping between every feeding and for a long time.  I'd shake toys at them thinking they weren't happy, and what I should have been doing was putting them down in a quiet place and letting them nap.

Good luck to you.  Those first couple months are hard, but it gets better and so much fun.

Absolutely all of this. Here is an "awake time" guideline to help you in the future. Even now at almost 9 months we're barely making the 2 to 2.5 hr mark before they're fussing and needing a nap.

Guideline for Awake time for babies
Newborn 50-60 mins
1 month 60 mins-hour and 15
2 months 1 hour and 15 - 20 mins
3 months 1 hour and 20 - 30 mins
4 months 1 hour and 45 - 2 hours
5 months 2 hours - 2.25 hours
Late 5 months/early 6 months 2.25-2.5 hours
6.5 - 7 months 2.75-3 hours. Some are getting more.
8 - 10 months 3 - 4 hours. Some are getting more.
11 - 12 months 3.5 -4.5 hours. Some are getting more if moved early to 1 nap

Good luck!

Haven1

Thanks for posting this cart.  I knew it existed, and I've been looking for it!  Mine are about the same age as you, and yes, 2 hours after wake up is naaaaaaap time.  We can do 3 hours during the day, but that's our max.

MaygenDL0ve

It won't last forever  They are still itty bitty, and they will "wake up" soon.  Hang in there mama!  And be ready..... cuz when they do wake up, it's amazing having 4 sets of newborn eyes following your every move!

doz&koz

Thanks everyone!  The chart is a great resource!