Sleepless in LA. Preemie afraid of dark?

alphaphi98

Last Saturday, I brought my 32 weeker home from the NICU. She was in there for 3  and a half weeks. She sleeps well during the day, but at night it's a big struggle and she is very fussy. She isn't hungry since I feed her every 2-3 hrs. She's a night owl. I put her down the same place the same way during the day and middle of the night, but she's only fussy at night. I tried several things like playing soft music, singing to her, feed her & change her, and use the rock n play etc. Nothing helps. I know you're suppose to set up a routine for going to sleep, but it's hard with a 4 week old. 

Now I wonder if she's afraid of the dark. In the NICU, it was never fully dark and lights were always on. Maybe she doesn't like it pitch black. I have a little night light by her bed, but it's not enough to solve this problem. 

Does anyone have any suggestions? Help would be greatly appreciated since there are bags under the bags of my eyes. LOL! 

kck329

I doubt she is afraid of the dark, babies don't develop those kinds of fears until much later. More likely, she is just a newborn. She is about 36 weeks gestation correct? That makes her a typical newborn showing typical newborn behavior. Its also likely that doesn't have her days and nights straight yet.

Start a routine for whatever time you want to be bedtime--for us it was pretty late (9ish?) at first and we have moved it earlier as DD has gotten bigger. Every night we do dinner (or a bottle when she was little), bath, and then rock/feed to sleep. Maybe instead of soft music, try white noise. But the biggest thing is that it will take time, be sure to go by her adjusted age on this kind of thing for awhile.

Good luck! No sleep after a NICU stay is so hard!

PhillyGal34

Have you tried a nightlight ? When we brough DS home they told us to keep some light and sound for him. He never had a problem sleeping

Good Luck!!