Newborn sleep- any tips?

[OhToBeASeahorse]

This is my 2nd, you'd think I'd have got a bit better...

DD is 4 days old. In the day she is feeding every 3 hours - I have to wake her - and she is napping on me or next to me. If I put her down she is most unimpressed.

At night she is feeding more frequently but she is also very sick. Im keeping her upright after every feed for 30 mins before attempting to put her in her crib next to my bed or lying next to me.

So tonight she did a 90 min stint and then woke at midnight. Prob had 40 min sleep since. Endless cycle of struggling to latch, feeding, leeping her upright, then she fills her nappy or is sick.

Is this normal? Everything is covered in sick, my boobs are so engorged and my nipples are painful.

I'm exhausted. Any advice?

Oh god. Sympathy for you! I'm up for the ninth time tonight with DC2 who is now four months old.

Keeping upright after a feed is all I think you can do. DC2 found it very difficult to burp or fart so would wake up regularly wiggling.

I think this all went by like week two so the end is in sight and you will sleep again!!

Does your LO burp if winded? Other top tip keep a huge stack of muslins to hand.

Sorry nothing original but I feel your pain!

Thank u!! I'm sorry u r in the mire too.

I'm so tired.

Congratulations - This is normal. Four days ago she learnt how to breathe, she's still learning and so are you.
Her tummy is very very little and she might bring up some or all.
Best thing to do is lie topless with her for as much as possible and only get up to have a wee/stay in bed for first five days. She'll root and nurse when she wants/needs.
Providing she's weeing and has once every other day poos, she's fine but please stop waking her up, she'll tell you when she needs to be awake (unless she's prem).
Have a look at Emma's Diary, contact Breastfeeding Network and your local Le Leche League for professional advice.

Thanks. Midwife told me.to wake her (it was never a problem with my son!).

She has just nodded off. My poor.
boobies!

Ahe has had I think 6 dirty nappies today..

We didnt have any pain with breastfeeding, when is your hv/midwife coming out next? Can you get someone to check your latch?
Also, DD is 3 months now and has only been sick twice, that much vomit, could it possible be reflux? Maybe worth checking out?

I was always told to wake every 3 hours for food too until they are back at birth weight, last baby was only 3 months ago and was told the same so recent advice too.

Also it does get easier! Mine slept 9 till 6 from 8 weeks, then had a phase of 10 till 3 and then 4 till half 8. Now we are 8pm to 8am with one feed inbetween!!

Also.. my tutti bambini tilts, would this help with putting her down a bit earlier to avoid the reflux? And are you swaddling her? Always helped keep my daughter asleep longer.

I remember this stage though, it gets better, but please get her latched checked it's not normal for your nipples to be really sore. Fix it now before you end up with cracked sore boobs, I've seen it ruin so many feeding journeys :(

Hope you get some good kip xx

Wow that's impressive!

We ended up sleeping with her in the crook of my arm. Not ideal but only way anyone got any sleep.

Put her down drowsy but awake, otherwise she'll be in the crook of your arm for months.

@user1493494961

Put her down drowsy but awake, otherwise she'll be in the crook of your arm for months.

Ha! Some babies just don't tolerate this, trust me.

I'm a few days further on than you, OP and the sleep has gotten better but the nipple pain is much worse unfortunately! I think we've got thrush which is probably why. Hopefully you're just acclimating to feeding. Use lasinoh, take pain relief and check every latch. Pain might be positively toe-curling for fifteen to twenty seconds after latch but should fade sharpish after that. If it continues, re-latch. Google the flipple technique and try that. If your boobs are rock solid she may find latching difficult to impossible- like latching onto a solid wall. If this is the case, express some off until the breast is pliable enough for baby to work with. Best of luck x

Thanks @FourPlasticRings,its all a bit overwhelming.