Is my two week old staying awake too long?

Samiantha101 · July 2012

I'm going to ask the pediatrician tomorrow, however I am a bit concerned that my baby is staying awake too long. For instance, today she woke up around 7:30ish and she didn't really fall asleep until 2pm. She had a couple of 10 minute naps between then. This is the longest she has stayed awake, but it's not uncommon for her to stay up for 3-4 during the "witching" hours. She isn't a fussy baby at all. She isn't crying. Mostly, she's just looking around or eating when she's awake. I read that at her age, she shouldn't be up for more than an hour and a half consecutively. Has anybody else experienced a very alert and seemingly non-sleepy newborn?

MrsE05 · July 2012

I'm a FTM who only knows from my experience with my own child, but I only let my LO stay awake for 1hr 30 min 2hr at the most and she is 10w old. I mean, if she isn't fussy it doesn't seem like she is overtired, but I think she should be sleeping more. My pedi gave me a chart saying at this age (around 2 months) she should be sleeping around 5 hours a day so I'm thinking a newborn would be more. I know every baby is different so who knows, that's just what I have heard.

drbethc · July 2012

wow...that does seem long for a 2 week old...Are you breastfeeding? My LO slept less when I was EBF..I felt like I was nursing every 45 min and he would fall asleep for 10 min and nurse again...I was exhausted and drained. Now that my milk has come in fully and I supplement with formula when needed, he is up for an hour to an hour and a half at the most. He now goes right back to sleep after feeding at night.

Samiantha101 · July 2012

Yes, I am ebf. She seems to be eating really well, and from what I can tell a normal amount. On average, she eats about every 2-3 hours. I would be more worried if she was fussier, but she isn't fussy at all. I think she's a bit gassy, but from speaking with other moms, a lot of babies are at her age. She doesn't like sleeping in a flat position, which maybe is due to reflux? I usually lay her down in a bouncer, swing, or I will hold her. She loves to be burped, and we always make sure to burp her really well. I have just been so surprised by her. I was under the impression that she should be sleeping more. There are times she'll only stay awake an hour or less, but for the last week or so, she usually has a period where she's up 2-3 hours. I try and put her in her favorite positions to help soothe her into sleep, but she usually just stays awake and falls asleep on her own accord.

EMurphree · July 2012

My little girl did the same thing. I used to think she would just go to sleep when she was tired but when they are that little, you pretty much have to make them go to sleep if they have tendencies to stay up longer. I started only letting her be up for an hour after she ate and then would take her to a quiet cool darker place in the house and would rock her, use white noise, pretty much try everything until she fell asleep. It was seriously a battle, but it made for a much happier baby. You may already be doing this but I am a FTM and had no clue. I read somewhere that at that age they should not be up any longer than 45 to an hour at a time without a nap.

EMurphree · July 2012

Samiantha101:
Yes, I am ebf. She seems to be eating really well, and from what I can tell a normal amount. On average, she eats about every 2-3 hours. I would be more worried if she was fussier, but she isn't fussy at all. I think she's a bit gassy, but from speaking with other moms, a lot of babies are at her age. She doesn't like sleeping in a flat position, which maybe is due to reflux? I usually lay her down in a bouncer, swing, or I will hold her. She loves to be burped, and we always make sure to burp her really well. I have just been so surprised by her. I was under the impression that she should be sleeping more. There are times she'll only stay awake an hour or less, but for the last week or so, she usually has a period where she's up 2-3 hours. I try and put her in her favorite positions to help soothe her into sleep, but she usually just stays awake and falls asleep on her own accord.

Also I wanted to add that I was so surprised too with my child not sleeping.. I thought newborns were supposed to mostly sleep and mine only did at night (not complaining there though!!) and just so you know my DD is 2 months old now and still pretty much does the same thing.. Up all day, asleep all night. Maybe some babies just don't want to nap when it's light out haha! My husband says she must think she's an adult already.

Samiantha101 · July 2012

EMurphree:
My little girl did the same thing. I used to think she would just go to sleep when she was tired but when they are that little, you pretty much have to make them go to sleep if they have tendencies to stay up longer. I started only letting her be up for an hour after she ate and then would take her to a quiet cool darker place in the house and would rock her, use white noise, pretty much try everything until she fell asleep. It was seriously a battle, but it made for a much happier baby. You may already be doing this but I am a FTM and had no clue. I read somewhere that at that age they should not be up any longer than 45 to an hour at a time without a nap.

Yeah, I did a quick google search, and from what I could find, it too said they should only be up for x amount of time. I do try and get her to fall asleep, to no avail mostly. I guess I need a new strategy?

kcooperrider · July 2012

I am having this same issue with my 2 week old son. What did your pediatrician say?

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