sleep depravation

[aliavery]

Hey ladies.

Needing some advice.
I have a 5 week old little boy and im breast feeding. .its great that I can and im proud of my self. How ever im only getting about 2/3 hours sleep at night.

When should he start sleeping more ?

Both of mine started sleeping through at 4 years old. I doubt that was what you were wanting to hear! lol

The 1 month and 3 month growth spurts are the worst. Feeding every 2-3 hours is perfectly normal for a very young baby, especially a breastfed baby (because breastmilk is digested slightly faster than formula milk). After his next growth spurt, things will settle down a bit and the interval between feeds will start to lengthen.

If you can, I'd recommend co-sleeping - less time spent 'getting up' during the night and more sleep for you. You can nurse on your side and either nestle baby in the crook of your arm (to go back to sleep) or gently slide him into his basket or crib (beside your bed) when he's finished.

Finally, the most important advice is: so long as you and baby (and any other kids) are fed and clean, then everything else can go hang for a while. If you've just the one child, then try and cat nap whenever he gives you the chance - even if it's 10 o'clock in the morning. If you have other kids, don't feel guilty about vegging on the sofa with Cbeebies on, if it gives you a few minutes rest. The early months are gruelling and there's no point pretending otherwise. It is knackering however you feed your baby and whatever parenting methods you choose. Blink and you'll miss it, though. I could wish those days back in a second. (Mind you, I'd probably regret it!! I could do the 2-3 hour feed intervals again but the toilet training severely sucks. lol)

GL and best wishes xx

Thanks for your reply.

The cluster feeding does get a bit intense sometimes. But like you say it does settle down now and again (before the next growth spurt.lol)

The boyfriend is back at work now, so im getting more of a chance to sleep when the baby does . even 20 mins makes a difference.

Ill try to co sleep more as it could be a lot easier than lifting him out of his cott every time.

Hopefully he will sleep more than 3 hours soon. :-)

Thanks for your reply.

The cluster feeding does get a bit intense sometimes. But like you say it does settle down now and again (before the next growth spurt.lol)

The boyfriend is back at work now, so im getting more of a chance to sleep when the baby does . even 20 mins makes a difference.

Ill try to co sleep more as it could be a lot easier than lifting him out of his cott every time.

Hopefully he will sleep more than 3 hours soon. :-)