Getting through nighttime

rms924 · November 2015

I feel like I'm just awreck during motn feedings. I am zombie feeding, not tracking time / breast so I have no idea what I did at night. What do you ladies do to keep yourself together and alert for nighttime? Willing to try anything ...

I reached out up my ped and she wasn't super helpful. Baby is only 3 weeks so he is still pretty all over the place.

momma2char · November 2015

I have a baby app called sprout plus, I think it was $5 or something but it helps me keep track of feedings (timing, which side), her sleep pattern and more and it's been really helpful! Im the same way overnight. I sometimes was waking up super engorged on one side in the mornings because I wasn't going back and forth on sides with feedings but that's not the case anymore

mmcknight2 · November 2015

I love the my medela app. It was free. I can keep track of how long and on what side, diaper changes, pumping, bottle feeding, and sleep. It's the only way I can keep track of everything.

midge519 · November 2015

I use the baby nursing app to track everything. I have a terrible time remembering as well and I'm always zombie like. If I didn't use it I'd forget everything

koriemo · November 2015

I find that he and I both do better if I actually wake up and am alert for what is happening, instead of hoping it will be a "quickie" and I can get back to sleep.

rms924 · November 2015

This sounds crazy but do any of you have coffee or anything to wake yourselves up? That's where I am getting to...I have the app but I'm so foggy I forget to turn it on to track feeding. I'm getting to this pt where I'm thinking about having some
Coffee bedside to keep me alert

shantyrae · November 2015

I chaged my sleeping pattern altogether so that I'm prepared to be up from 11pm until 2 am during LO's fussy time at night. Then I snooze from her longest stretch of sleep from 6am until 10am. I also use the free version of the Feed Baby app to track everything! I very often go back and look at it to see when her last change or feed was.

tracij12 · November 2015

I keep water by the bed and I usually go to the bathroom before I feed. Washing my hands with cold water wakes me up a bit. I've seen others say they keep snacks nearby as well.

mom4liak · November 2015

I go to bed around 8 pm since she is usually asleep by then. I pump and my husband will bottle feed her if she needs to eat between 8pm and midnight. I set my alarm to get up at 11:30pm so I can pump again. If she is still asleep I lay back down when I am done pumping, if not I take her and my husband goes to sleep. The 3 1/2 hour nap is just enough to keep me from being a zombie for the rest of the night. I get up with her and feed her on demand the rest of the night. I get my older kids and hubby up at 6am and they are all out the door for school/work by 7:15 and I lay my DD back down for her morning nap. She sleeps for about 2 hours and I nap right along with her. This is the only nap I take all day and total I get about 6-7 hours of sleep each day. It's broken up sleep but my body has definitely gotten used to it. My DD is 4 weeks today.

babykitcat · November 2015

The ftm adrenaline is just starting to ware off and I'm finding it harder to get through the feeds myself. I am going to start making a point of napping sometime throughout the day and hope this helps!

babykitcat · November 2015

I also read a lot on my phone. I don't turn on lights so LO stays sleepy (this is why I use my phone) but finding a good article or doing a few google searches helps the time go by!

valerierose15 · November 2015

I used to nurse in my bed, but I kept falling asleep during feedings so I started to go to the nursery and sit in the glider. I play on my phone while he eats. It's the only way I stay awake!

carmv01 · November 2015

My husband and I use BabyConnect ($5) which was recommended by the LC at our pediatrician. The app itself is OK, the UI could be better, but it keeps us accountable and does the job. I used to nurse lying down but I fall asleep too easily and with my LO's congestion, it's better for me to sit up and play on my phone while he nurses. I now have a humidifer with a nightlight running which is nice since I no longer have to turn on a lamp during feedings.

carmv01 · November 2015

Also, I agree - I do better if I'm alert during the feeding rather than half-asleep. I talk to my baby while nursing, changing his diaper etc. It keeps me somewhat sane and in a positive mood rather than getting frustrated. I also have a some snacks (bananas, fiber one bars, occasionally oranges) stashed in the bassinet compartments that I'll usually have around 4:30am or when I get hungry. I try to let my husband sleep but we usually tag team when LO gets fussy and won't fall back asleep (like the past few nights!).

Cmoniga · November 2015

I tried feeding her in bed but couldn't keep doing it after a couple of nights due to falling asleep during the feedings and not wanting to take any risks. I leave the room, go to the nursery for a diaper change, and then sit in the living room with the tv on to keep me entertained. I keep a soft light in the hallway on but it's not too bright and doesn't disturb her. The tv doesn't seem to bother her either- she sleeps better with noise.

Even with these measures, some nights I find it incredibly difficult to stay awake! I use the Baby Nursing app (free!) and just last night thought I just closed my eyes for a second and looked down at the timer on the app and had been nursing for 45 min! Well, she was actually just asleep...

Tonight I intend to watch a tv show that will keep me entertained and awake!

CocoR04 · November 2015

TV is what helps me. Although, last night I fell asleep with her on my lap (it happens) and woke up terrified that she was injured somehow, but she was fine.

I've been using food, water and my phone to keep me up as well.

I've also been sleeping on our couch so I can move around the house at night and not disturb my toddler and DH upstairs. I BFd in bed with DS when he was a newborn and I had so many issues being too sleepy to keep track of anything.

mihaelams1 · November 2015

One device that really helped me, especially in the first week, is Itzbeen Pocket Nanny. Basically, it has timers for diaper changes, feedings, sleep and also a small knob for remembering which breast the baby got last. Now that I'm feeding him on demand, I use it to track my own sleep

nianicho777 · November 2015

mmcknight2 said:
I love the my medela app. It was free. I can keep track of how long and on what side, diaper changes, pumping, bottle feeding, and sleep. It's the only way I can keep track of everything.

Yes, this is what I use as well! I friggin love it!!!!

mizzthang007 · November 2015

I took my sister-in-law's advice and I wear a hair tie on my wrist and switch it from side to side to tell me what side I should feed on next. Trick is remembering to switch it after feeding! It works for me

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