Surviving clusterfeed nights

namara5532

So I'm home alone while DH is at work, and DS is having a problem with the whole sleep thing.  It might be because I'm not using the moby wrap tonight (the ladies on the attachment parenting board are telling me I can't cosleep with him in it, even though it was the only way I survived the past couple of nights).  I suspect he may be having his 10 day growth spurt.  He just fell asleep after nursing, and even though I'm exhausted, I'm scared to try to move him such that I'm more comfortable so I can sleep too.

How have you ladies survived days/nights like this?  I've already had my good cry about it once I got him latched.  He's got me pinned to the couch because I'm afraid if I move he'll wake up and want to nurse again.  I'm watching the clock until DH gets home so I can sneak off to bed for a few hours (hopefully).  I need a better plan to survive nights like this in the future. >.<;

cmc714

In those early days I fell asleep holding her on the couch a lot! She would be wide awake or wake up as soon as I put her down. You just have to do what you can to get some rest. 

VABride2008

Have you tried a sound machine?  Mimicking the womb as much as possible has really helped us.  Swaddle and sound machine and our little man is out like a light! 

CharlieTheUnicorn

We bed share and it is the only way I stay sane. I only need to wake up enough to latch Scar then I can dose back off. We have also had luck swaddling her and then using the PnP, but not often.  

Kristine Schilling

I get comfy in a sitting position on the couch or rocker, slightly reclined and lay her on my chest. Much the same position as a moby wrap. I keep a light on or the TV so I don't go into a deep sleep. But you can catch some light power naps this way.

It is not safe if your are a deep sleeper or if LO is very active. For much the same reasons co-sleeping is discouraged.

fyrefairie

Kristine Schilling:

I get comfy in a sitting position on the couch or rocker, slightly reclined and lay her on my chest. Much the same position as a moby wrap. I keep a light on or the TV so I don't go into a deep sleep. But you can catch some light power naps this way.

It is not safe if your are a deep sleeper or if LO is very active. For much the same reasons co-sleeping is discouraged.

This- there is evidence for and against bedsharing but the reality (with my LO anyways) is that she absolutely refuses to sleep alone at night for now...she is 2 weeks old....I suspect this will improve with time...DH and I are as safe as possible about it-she sleeps on our chests (on her back) and I only get light sleep and wake each time she stirs slightly but its more sleep than I get if I try to leave her in bassinet or PNP

namara5532

Thanks for the advice.  For now, I'm letting him stay asleep on his side after feedings and attempt to careful scoot myself to a lying down position.  It's not the most comfortable arrangement, but it helps me get some rest while sleeping light enough to check on him periodically.  It's amazing how the body can turn an hour of light sleep into feeling like a decent nap.