Newborn nocturnal following hospital stay

[TypicalFTMum]

Was wondering if anybody else had run into this problem and, if so, what they did about it.

Ended up in hospital for just shy of a week after giving birth to DC (difficult labour plus antibiotics for both of us) but we're finally home now. However, DC is refusing to sleep at night. We think it's related to the house being significantly quieter than the hospital ward - for example, she was as good as gold all day yesterday and slept through groceries delivery, midwife visit and several hours of daytime telly....then screamed and refused to settle for 5 hours straight come night time.

It's not a huge problem for me as I'm on maternity leave so who really cares if I end up being nocturnal too for the next couple of months or so? However, DH (who has been a saint and has been hurrying me off to bed to make sure I can recover from the infection I picked up from hospital and been going above and beyond for DC) is due back at work next week and is already seriously tired and stressed (made a comment last night about how she only settles with me and he's useless which absolutely broke my heart!).

Any suggestions/reassurance that it does get better much appreciated!!

[FATEdestiny]

In the very first few weeks of baby's life, then really there is no difference between day and night, baby should be mostly sleeping both day and night.

Any time baby wakes, it should be:

• wake
  
• feed
  
• wind
  
• check nappy
  
• short (less than 5-15 minutes floor time)
  
• see if more milk is wanted
  
• back to sleep
  

So the only difference between night and day is that you don't have the floor time. But given that is only a short 10 mins or so, it's not really that different to daytime.

If baby is having protected time awake, it is likely you be because baby

• is hungry
  
• needs more help to get to sleep and stay asleep
  
• has wind or in pain another way
  
• is too cold or uncomfortable

[domesticslattern]

Congratulations on your new baby.
I'm sorry but small babies are nocturnal regardless of whether they spent time in hospital or came straight home. And it is totally normal for parents to be stressed and tired! So far so normal!
Keep nighttime darker and quieter, and very gradually your baby will find a pattern.

[Marcine]

Most newborns don't want to be put down at night and are Moses basket refusers! I chuck dp into the spare room for the first 4-6 weeks and cosleeping.

In the day I never let them go more than 3 hours max between feeds. Keep day times bright and noisy, and at night keep it dark and quiet, only change nappies when necessary and try not to get out of bed.

Enjoy the snuggly night time feeds though, it might not seem like it now but this bit goes so fast.