Expecting too much from 2 week old DD?

[pookie81]

My 2 week old DD is waking up every 2 hours during the night for feeding and changing. I haven't had a wink of sleep due to her making noises and wriggling when she finally drops off. Has anyone else had this problem? I have been bursting into tears recently. Is it normal for this to be happening? should I go with it?

[Enid]

yes it is normal

get dh to take her out for a walk in the pram while you have some sleep

[oliveoil]

completely absolutely energy-sappingly normal

and it may carry on for a good few weeks yet (in fact I can pretty much guarantee it)

Do you have anyone who can take over in the day so you can nap (do not do housework!)

[sugarfree]

Sounds normal to me.
Do you have other children or would it be possible for you to get some sleep during the day?
Are you breast feeding?Could you just spend the day in bed together?
What about your mum or DH watching her in a different room while you get some sleep without listening to the snorting and wriggling?

[oliveoil]

What I did with dd1, was to get dh to make me some breakfast before he went to work - toast, fruit, tea and juice - then after eating that and feeding her, I would just lie in bed and sleep or read until I deigned to get out of bed, usually around midday or whatever.

Get someone to visit with lunch prepared and show them where the hoover is!

[foundintranslation]

Absolutely normal and - sorry - could go on for a good while yet. However, there are things you can do to cope with it.

• Don't expect to be superwoman. 2 weeks after the birth hormones are always everywhere, you're shattered and it's pretty par for the course to be bursting into tears all the time. (If this is still continuing several weeks/months down the line, though, it would be worth getting help).

• Golden rule of the first weeks: Sleep when your baby sleeps (i.e. in the day too). Stuff all but the most essential housework.

• Ifyou are bf and intend to continue, going with it is by far the best option - she is establishing supply - at this age their tummies are tiny, too. Ifyou are bottlefeeding, your dh/dp could take over some of the night feeds/changes.

• Remember, it WILL get better.

[throckenholt]

the remedy in the early weeks is to sleep during the day when the baby does.

Ignore eveything else - once that baby is asleep - your job is to sleep !

[WeaselMum]

oh, I feel for you as I remember how awful it was. Unfortunately, I had some ridiculous notion that I had to get up and get dressed every morning and do things round the house as well. I'm assuming you have no other kids so your only job is to look after youself and your DD - don't fall into my trap, just rest whenever she does and it will pass, honestly. x

[DetentionGrrrl]

Totally normal! I had my son in the room with us for the 1st two weeks (while fella was off work) then moved him into his own room. I got more sleep when he was in his own room- i could hear when he needed me, but I wasn't lying in bed reacting to every breath he was taking. Maybe their own room might help? And if you feel like a cry, have one- great stress reliever!