2 week old bf baby awake for hours after night feeds

[nicewarmslippers]

I bf last baby for more than a year but am still finding it hard second time round. I have loads of milk and ds gained in 1st week so all is OK BUT he is awake for 1 1/2 hours after every night feed (which are prettyoften). is this just the way it is at this stage and it will get better or is there anything I can do?

Thanks for any advice

[GillianLovesMarmite]

I think that's just the way it is at that stage... my ds would be wide awake for lots of the night in the early weeks as when they're inside you that's their wake up time (night time kicking when you're trying to sleep etc). It does get better. I think just trying to make the definition between night and day clear - eg trying to stay calm and quiet and dark at night (we still use a nightlight though) and then when it is time to get up (even if it's dark - eg 7am) putting the lights on, making more noise and louder communication and more exciting toys etc.

[PortAndDemon]

Just the way it is at this stage, and it will get better. Try to get out of the house at least a bit each day and, as GLM says, try to make a clear distinction between day and night. He'll get the hang of it in a few weeks.

[NellyTheElephant]

Poor you. I had this with DD1 and it was a nightmare, she'd be awake for an hour or more after night feeds, DH and I were going spare through lack of sleep. It settled down by about 3 / 4 weeks though when she started going straight to sleep after night feeds.

Try and make sure he gets lots of sunlight (even if it is a bit overcast at the moment) during the day as this really helps their bodies to start regulating their internal clocks and maybe work on how much he is sleeping during the day (e.g. regulate naps a bit and don't let him sleep more than say 2 hrs or so at each day time nap?).

I was all prepared for the same horror with DD2 and so was shocked and pleasently surprised when it never happened and she'd drop straight off to sleep after each night feed - bliss!! Hoping DC3 is going to be like DD2 rather than DD1.... we'll see.....

[spicemonster]

I had this too. The first few weeks were hell tbh but it only lasted a few weeks. He was sleeping for ages during the day though so I started waking him for feeds which helped a bit. Can you nap at all during the day when he does?

[mawbroon]

Is he content when he is awake?

If so, I would be inclined to feed him lying down in bed and just go back to sleep while you are feeding him.

My ds could latch himself on and off during the night from a very early age, so I didn't actually know what he was doing feed wise half the time!!

Congratulations btw

[nicewarmslippers]

Thank you all SOO much for answering. I am all teary reading this advice from people I have never met. THANKS! I am currently completely exhausted and its so nice to log on to advice and support. Yes he is happy after the feeds. Feeding lying down and going back to sleep is no good as after he has fed he won't take the breast more. He just wants to look at my face and interact. If I ignore him he gets grumpy. Basically he wants to interact, then feed a bit, then poohs, then feeds a bit etc etc. However my 1st did similar I do remember vaguely (it seems so long ago) and from what you say it is normal and will stop. I'll try and get more daylight on him (but its pisshing with rain all the time which doesn't help)

Thanks!

Another 'isn't mumsnet amazing' thought-just did a search on painful white spot on breast (as I have one) and found a perfect thread answering all my questions. Its just so helpful!

[poppy34]

ah the interaction thing.. its nice but oh so painful in the middle of the night (think of dd and her desire to play with mummy at 3am ).. does get easier -and you are in teh middle of the trickiest stage [hugs]