New mom - sleeping advice?

Antoe2007 · July 2009

Hey everyone - My lil man is 5 days old and we have been home for two nights. So far - night time stinks! I am sure to feed him every 2 to 3 hours during the day and he tends to pass out inbetween - we try and keep him awake but hes just so tired. He generally passes out in our arms. THen at night - he seems to be up constantly in the bassinet (pack and play) im guesssing its too flat? He seems to really enjoy his vibrate chair - he finally slept 3 hours straight from 630 to 930 this morning. Could it just be he doesnt like sleeping flat? is there something I can do to not screw myself for night time? TIA Sleep

TheFannins729 · July 2009

he's 5 days old. there isn't going to be an schedule or any habits formed. just go with it and it will get easier. nap when he does during the day.

TimsMayBride · July 2009

Have you tried swaddling? My ds won't sleep in the bassinet without his MiracleBlanket.

I let him sleep as much as he wants during the day andhe still sleeps pretty well at night.

Mrs.0428 · July 2009

Do you swaddle him or anything when you put him in the pack n play?

Also, when you feed him at night are you sure to keep the room dark and not talk with him or anything while feeding.

WaitingForMyMiracle · July 2009

I believe that sleep begets sleep. So, if I were you, I wouldn't be trying to keep your LO awake during the day. The longer and better he sleeps during the daytime, the better he will most likely sleep at night.

Try swaddling him at night time and maybe placing him on his side in the PnP. It probably doesnt have anything to do with it being flat. But, he might like sleeping on your chest more right now. It's more comforting to him!

It's normal for them to have their days and nights messed up right now. My DS worked himself out of it after a week and a half. Just keep feeding him every 2-3 hours and let him sleep if he wants to!

Also, I recommend the book Happiest Baby on the Block. It will do wonders!

in my life · July 2009

He may have his days and nights mixed up. My LO did but she figured it out in a few days. He also may just want to be held when he sleeps, my LO hated the PnP at first.

Also, let him sleep whenever he wants. Trying to keep him awake won't help him sleep longer at night anyway in my experience.

alli&pat · July 2009

he's 5 days old - he needs a lot of sleep. there is no need to try to keep him awake during the day. i 2nd the suggestion for swaddling him if you aren't. also, i read an article lately where the writer believed that mixing up days/nights was a myth and instead she saw a fussy baby at night as a survival mechanism - during the day its bright, loud, and baby often sleeps cuddled up with mommy or daddy - however at nights its dark, quiet, and baby is sleeping in an unknown environment. interesting take on baby's response to nights...anyhow he'll figure it out, it just takes time.

kabarbanel · July 2009

They have no schedule or anything at that age...Let him sleep when he wants, but during the day keep it bright and fairly loud, and then dark and quiet at night. This will help him get his days/nights straight. As far as where he will sleep, let him sleep where he wants. DS would only sleep on our chest for the first 2.5 weeks, so that's what we did in order for us to get any sleep. I thought it would always be that way but DS was sleeping in his crib by 6 weeks. Those first few weeks are all about survival. It will get better!

Runnerwife · July 2009

Like the pp's said:

*don't try to keep him up during the day

* try swaddling if you haven't.

*Maybe try her crib? My DD lasted about 3 nights in her bassinet. She was a better sleeper in her crib (although at your LO's age, she was up every 3 hours)

Hang in there. While he won't have a schedule or a routine for a while, things will settle down a bit in the next few weeks.

niecy · July 2009

kabarbanel:
They have no schedule or anything at that age...Let him sleep when he wants, but during the day keep it bright and fairly loud, and then dark and quiet at night. This will help him get his days/nights straight. As far as where he will sleep, let him sleep where he wants. DS would only sleep on our chest for the first 2.5 weeks, so that's what we did in order for us to get any sleep. I thought it would always be that way but DS was sleeping in his crib by 6 weeks. Those first few weeks are all about survival. It will get better!

exactly

NJmeetsNH · July 2009

Ditto on the swaddling. My son definitely needed something to "hold him in," so to speak. The first 4 weeks he mostly slept at night in his car seat next to our bed (this is wear he slept BEST!). Sometimes he'd sleep in a positioner. We realized that he needed his arms held in because he startled and woke himself up often. Swaddling is the best for him.

We ended up putting my son in his room after 4 weeks (because I couldn't sleep with him in our room - he was too noisy). But he seemed to do better in there too. We've also added room darkening shades, which has helped with naps in particular.

And the more he sleeps = the more he sleeps. Definitely true.

One thing though - another poster wrote about putting him down on his side. No flame, but check with your doctor on this one. I have read, and was told by my pediatrician, never to put my son in his side to sleep.

Good luck - the first few weeks/months are tough on mommies for sleep, but it gets better, I promise!

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