2 week old...the sleep deprivation is torture

[Pagetta]

I have a 3 1/2 yo DS1 and 17 day old DS2.
ds2 is ebf baby and doing really well - he didn't drop any weight and is gaining steadily which is great. However he is feeding every 2-3 hrs which means I haven't had more than 1-2 hours sleep. And it is KILLING me I feel like I'm being tortured.
With DS1 we could laze in bed after a bad night. If I wanted to do nothing all day then great. But this time round I have him waking me up at 7am, childcare to get him to, on other days he needs entertaining.
They are both doing really well, but I'm just so bloody tired its starting to affect me. I keep reading about routines I supposedly need to get DS2 into but I can't begin to get my brain in gear to get one on the go. I could pump but he's feeding so often it's difficult to find time in between.

Also my boobs HURT - not cracked nipples etc just really really achey from milk letdown

I know that this will settle down in a few wks but I'm not sure how much longer I can survive on so little sleep - any advice appreciated!

[karmapolice97]

I had a similar situation and age gap. Second baby also liked to feed a LOT. Despite being really strict about using moses basket/cot with DC1 I very quickly realised that co-sleeping was the answer to getting a lot more sleep. I had never thought it was for me, but it's amazing how sleep deprivation can change your outlook. Do some reading up ok how to do it safely and give it a go. I got loads more sleep this way.

And if you really don't want to do that, then you need to ask for help and get some catch up naps. It really is very early days, it will get better soon.

[Dangermouse80]

It all seemed to settle down a lot when dc2 got to 10 weeks and started sleeping a longer stretch at a time. If you can, go to bed when dc1 goes to bed and have your other half look after the baby in the evening. I found sleeping from 8pm - midnight meant I could cope with the every 2 hour wake ups after that. I bf but decided to add one bottle of formula in the evening from 4 weeks so my other half could feed the baby ensuring if I was lucky, maybe a 5 hour stretch of sleep. It does get better

[1AngelicFruitCake]

Feel your pain! Currently up again feeding my 4 month old and so tired! She wakes when I put her in the cot so it's taking me up to 2 hours to get her down. She had been sleeping for longer as well. Have a just turned 2 year old who keeps waking up at 5:30am!

[TallulahTheTiger]

I hear you! 2 week old EBF here who sleeps and feeds like a dream in day then is awake most of nights! First baby for us, HV says need to wake in day, have tried but he just goes right back to sleep! Worst hours are 2-5am as awake and screaming then!

[YokoUhOh]

Have you got a co-sleeping cot? My two are the same age as yours (well, DS2 6 weeks) and co-sleeping is the only way to get sleep - I can basically breastfeed whilst sleeping.

[Booboostwo]

To weeks old was when I gave up on the cot and started co-sleeping. As soon as I got the hang of feeding lying down I got a lot more sleep. Read up on safe co-sleeping, luckily it's warmer now so easier to get rid of duvets, etc.

[Sephipops]

Im with you. My 4 week old has decided that she will only sleep on me. Not even cosleeping is working. I got two hours last night, a 45 minute nap and a blissful 3 hours when the OH got back from work. He gave her an expressed bottle which gave me the extra. Since those three hours... Nada.

[underrugsswept]

No advice because having done it once already you know it will end but it's bloody awful in the meantime. Lots of and sympathy from me.

[Coconut0il]

Co sleeping and napping every time DP was here was the only thing that got me through. DS2 was a mega feeder and seemed to be attached all the time. 5-7am DP took him downstairs before he went to work and that was the best sleep I got. It will pass.

[TheABC]

It's horrible! I am six weeks with DC2 and the toddler wake up call after a sleepless night is crushing. Slings and co sleeping are saving me atm.

[Pagetta]

Thanks all - sympathies with you all!
I'm lucky in that ds1 us good sleeper and ds2 goes down well after feeds. I think if I could get 3-4 hours I'd feel better but 1-2 is killing me.
I'll look into co-sleeping but it's something we've actively avoided.
DH is away for 2 weeks from Monday I genuinely don't know how I'm going to get through it- feel like such a flake!

[Artandco]

I would try a few things:

1. feed every 90 mins in the day. Then helps to stretch them not needing so many feeds overnight
   
   
2. go to bed with baby at 9pm once 3 year old is asleep. Then even with wakings every few hours and being awake you should be able to get 6hrs sleep before morning
   
   
3. when 3 year old in nursery, go home and nap with baby in the morning

[Artandco]

4. have ' quiet time' with toddler after lunch. When you head back home, you baby and toddler all get into bed together. And all watch a film/ read to toddler/ semi nap. Means you all get a little rest

[Twinwife]

I'm with you, my DC2 is now 6 months and I have a 3 year old. She feeds 2 hourly in the day and 3/4 in the night. I haven't had more than 3 hours sleep since she was born but I feel ok(ish). I think your body just adapts! Good luck

[Sun16]

nothing to add to the above except why are you even thinking about routines at 2 weeks old...this is survival time woman! Routines are for later. Right now is the time to be calling in all hands on deck and doing everything to get sleep. Very hard I know, my DC#2 nearly broke me but it will end.

[Timetogrowup2016]

She didn't say anything about routines ?

[Timetogrowup2016]

Oops she did.
Sorry

[MoMandaS]

2 weeks old? Routine not possible. Co sleep and don't look at the clock each waking. In the morning, GET UP, GET COFFEE, GET ON! Nothing else you can do. You know it won't be forever - just get through each day. Don't dwell on how bad the previous night was.

[Pagetta]

Lol I'm so glad you both said that about routines - need to stay off annoying blog posts! I read one that suggested you can start a level of routine from week two then felt like a complete failure that I hadn't!

must stay off mum blogs until am less hormonal