How to keep a newborn awake?

PAP179 · October 2008

My pedi told me that if my son doesn't nap after 3pm - he'll be more likely to sleep better overnight. But how the heck do you keep a 3 week old awake though? He has been super fussy today so when he fell asleep in his swing at 6:30 I've left him alone just to get some stuff done. I'm sure I'll pay for it later - but I certainly didn't want to wake a peaceful sleeping baby!

WannaBMommy81 · October 2008

at that age let a sleeping baby sleep! With dd the more she slept the better and longer she'd sleep. I have never heard to not let them sleep after 3. DD takes a couple of short naps after 3 and she was sleeping through the night for awhile (from about 2.5-4 months)

MainelyFoolish · October 2008

IMHO your pedi is crazy. My personal mantra is "never wake a sleeping baby." Newborns sleep a lot and wake frequently. Trying to keep one awake for anything other than a necessary feeding is nuts and will only lead to a cranky baby.

pinksweetpea2 · October 2008

Sorry, but your pedi is a moron. ?Sleep begets sleep. ?All you will do by keeping him up is make him overtired and an overtired baby is bad news.

Let the poor LO sleep when he wants to sleep. ?

?

???

Califlorida · October 2008

let your baby sleep! the more they sleep during the day, the longer they sleep at night.

MiracleFox · October 2008

I've never heard that but I'm not a doctor and this is my first child. ?I have heard that babies under 4 months should not be awake for more than 3 hours at a time... ?I just go with the flow with DS, I figure his body knows what it needs more than I do. ?

When I do want DS to stay awake though... ?I put him in his bed. ?When I NEED him to sleep or think he NEEDS sleep, he always wakes up as soon as I set him down so when I want him to stay awake sometimes I'll put him in there knowing that he'll wake right up. ?

Like PP, I find that when DS is overtired he doesn't sleep as good. ?When he's ready for bed, I get him there as soon as I can.?

KittenGator · October 2008

pinksweetpea2:
Sorry, but your pedi is a moron. ?Sleep begets sleep. ?All you will do by keeping him up is make him overtired and an overtired baby is bad news.
Let the poor LO sleep when he wants to sleep. ?
?
???

this!?

MegGary · October 2008

Babies will sleep when they need it & when they are tired. I would NEVER try to keep a baby awake especially at 3 weeks old. Just let your baby sleep when it wants. You both will be happier for it.

pamela-matt · October 2008

You pedi is nuts. ?You should not be forcing a 3 week old to stay awake so they sleep better at night. ?You force your child to stay awake and you will pay the price when they are over tired.

J&A2008 · October 2008

My pedi said let him sleep. He'll work out the day/night routine on his own over time. She said just make sure you have it light during the day - keep shades open, and keep it dark at night - no lights for night feedings.

LittleMamaB · October 2008

Research getting a new pedi. Seriously.

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