Sleep issue and intro

caladpi02

FTM with a 36 weeker who is 4 days old. She has suddenly developed an inability to sleep anywhere but our arms. We burp her but that does not seem to be the issue. We are both going crazy with feelings every two hours and one of us having to stay up to hold her on them. We spent all day dealing with bilirubin issues, so neither one of us is sleeping much and I am just crying.
Advice? Let me know if you need more details.

DrRx

The beginning is just survival mode.  DH and I took shifts--about 6 hours each--so that we could each get some sleep.  It is hard, but unfortunately, I don't really have any other advice.  Do you have a family member or friend who could help out during the day so that you can get some rest?

thishappyhouse

The begining can be so tough.  I'm sorry!  I second others recommendation for having friends/family come by to give you a break. PP had great advice re: reflux if that is an issue.   Some other "tricks" to maybe try:

vibrating bouncy seat

tight swaddle

white noise

slow and deliberate transitions from holding to an independent position - patting, rubbing or even just a hand on the head for a minute can help 

baby wearing when you just need to get things done.   

RobinR91

Hi! First, it gets better and crying is completely normal. It's ok! Second, I had 3 31 weekers come home at 35 weeks. I know exactly what you mean by wanting to be held constantly. For us, here's what worked.
Shifts of holding them with DH/other friends and family WHO ARE NOT SICK
my kids loved Kangaroo care. If I laid on my bed inclined with pillows DH could help place two babies on my chest, skin to skin. He'd lay next to me and lay with the third baby on his chest. We'd tuck a sheet tightly under us creating a family swaddle kind of thing. It wasn't quality sleep, but those little rests and bonding were amazing at helping me feel better.
Swaddle blankets and swaddle mes.
Rock n play
The understanding that your baby just got here...everything is new and scary. If your arms are comforting then congratulations! I once read something like "people in the us spend a lot of time and money devising ways to put the baby down until I realized you know, maybe babies aren't meant put down". It hit home with me, immediately followed by my own "yeah, but I need to make dinner/do laundry/pet my dog" etc thoughts. Have you considered a moby wrap? It worked wonders for us!
Good luck hon. It will get easier. That LO needs lots of attention right now. Bless you for trying to do everything you can for your child!

caladpi02

Thank you! Last night went well, we had two giant feedings and that really seemed to help. I was going to get a ktan or a moby but I wasn't sure if she's too small for it. She is 5lbs 3 oz right now