Newborn Sleep

[PeopleAreToads]

DD1 is 16 days old and trying to work out what is normal with sleep.

Since we got home from hospital her sleep has been pretty good, generally sleeping 2-3 hours at time in the nexttome/Moses basket, and a bit longer if out in the pram. But the last 2 days she won’t sleep at all unless being held or in a moving pram, she wakes up the minute she’s put down or the pram stops moving

At first I thought it cluster feeding because she fed so much through the night, but I’m not sure if that’s just for comfort because she only wants to feed frequently if we try and put her down. She’ll happily go a few hours without if she’s being held or walked in the pram

She also was so good sleeping in her swaddle bag and now she screams as soon as she goes in

Is this a normal change or could there being something we’re doing driving it? The only thing I can think of that’s changed is DH has gone back to work and DM is here helping out and can be quite full on with the baby so wondering if she’s overstimulated/overtired

Any advice appreciated as it’s only been 48 hours and I’m exhausted, concerned this is her new normal and we could have months of it ahead!

Hopeful bump. Should have said she’s currently ebf and doesn’t have a dummy, but considering pumping and a dummy if it would help!

she isn't working out what is normal with sleep, she doesn't know what sleep is, or have any idea that she has done it. She is just a normal baby! Go to sleep yourself when she is asleep

Hi, also a new mum (4 weeks here) and I found exactly the same with mine and from what I have read this is fairly normal for EBF newborns. Mine was sleeping in a cot for first few days but since then contact naps only. I had to resort to safe co-sleeping which has saved my sanity as we both get some sleep at night!

I try to be understanding of the little munchkin who has spent last 9 months being continuously swayed to sleep in the comfort of their mum's tum and now they are asked to sleep away from them. But I appreciate its very inconvenient! I myself have no idea why it only kicks in after a few days after birth.

Like you, I never know if it's cluster or comfort feeding but assume the latter as it seems to happen when they wake up from sleep in their cot, unhappy.

I try to practice one-two naps and nighttime sleeps in the cot, but am taking it slowly as it's so easy to make them overtired and no one benefits.from that. I try to enjoy those contact naps as much as possible too, without feeling guilty (though it took a while, especially with everyone giving you advice like 'you want to train them to sleep.in their own bed or they never will'). I wish I hadn't listened to those people as it made me feel like I am doing a crap job.

Sorry for not having a specific advice, just thought I would share my similar experience in solidarity.

You are doing great mama xx

There is no ‘normal sleep’ for about the first year. They change all the time. At 16 days they don’t yet produce the hormones to tell day from night. They just want to be in our arms and feeling safe, and they’ll sleep when they need to and not when they don’t, and that varies hugely baby to baby. Article below might help, but mostly it’s about managing your own expectations of what normal baby sleep looks like. I’d settle on to the sofa and contact nap as much as you can, enjoy the rest. And look into safe cosleeping, I’ve always slept with both my babies and I’ve been a lot less tired than friends who don’t.

On the feeding - they are growing and developing CONSTANTLY at that age. Breastmilk is both food for growth and food for comfort and both are equally important. Feeding for comfort is equally valuable as feeding for hunger, they want to feel safe and the breast is where they’re safe, so try not to separate them in your mind like one is good and one is bad. The clusterfeeding is also setting up your milk supply forever, it can feel like a lot but it is normal. Focus on getting as much rest as you can, sod the housework. Just focus on you and baby. This stage will go by quickly I promise.

https://sarahockwell-smith.com/2017/07/24/the-rollercoaster-of-real-baby-sleep/

Also please don’t pump (unless there’s medical need) or give a dummy before 6 weeks - the frequent feeding is telling your body what your baby needs, it adjusts to them. Things like pumping and dummies disrupt that natural process.