Sleeping - Night & Day confused

[Mumtoissy]

Hi there first time posting on Mumsnet sorry if this question has been asked before but can not see thread.
My DD born at 33wks now 12 wks actual, but as she was in SCBU for a month she has her day & night very confused. Wondered if anyone else has had this problem and when did it start to change or did you do anything to try and assist your LO make the change. Have tried making lots of noise during day and being as quiet as possible at night, but not much joy so far. Thanks

[jellibob]

My DD, born at 28 weeks, 3 months in NICU & SCBU was like that - completely nocturnal. No idea why as our SCBU had quite an emphasis on night/day.

We just gritted our teeth and kept on with trying to show her that day and night were different, and that night time was when we traditionally liked to sleep. Lots of noise during the day, less at night, no eye contact etc. We only put her down to sleep in her moses basket for her lunchtime sleep and at night. Also did bath/bottle/bed every evening.

It took her a few weeks to get the hang of it, and what really seemed to do the trick was putting her in her own room in the evening (still in with us after the 11pm feed). At about 5 months we put her in her own room all night. By that time her twin brother was home from hospital too.

They are now 7 months old, and after bath/bottle in the evening, DD shouts if I don't get her into bed quickly enough, and for the last few weeks has slept from 8 til 8. Obviously this may stop at any time, but it's great while it lasts!

Just keep muttering "it's only a phase"!

[MatNanPlus]

You could try waking her in the daytime naps after 2½-3 hrs (depending on her feeding routine) to get her to feed more in the day hours 6/7am - 10/11pm with the hope ;) she will sleep longer at night as not disturbed.

You could also try white noise at sleep times as she has been used to constant noise and might find near silence - weird