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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To ask for bloods to be taken for my baby DC?

83 replies

DrewBerry95 · 26/02/2018 20:47

Back story:

I spent 4/5 nights in hospital after DC was born.

I had DC late at night. Woke up at 7.30am in a fright because I thought he was dead. He was not. Just sound asleep.

I enquired to the Midwife on duty and she said she knew, she kept checking on us both but we were just sleeping.

I thought no problem, one off from birth but 2nd night would be normal 'newborn' experience. Wrong. DC slept from 10pm to 7.30am again. But this time I was awake constantly because of other babies on the ward crying! Same thing happened until we left hospital.

Ironically, the other thing keeping me up at night was other people's babies Envy

I kept expressing my concerns of him maybe getting dehydrated during the night and the midwives insisted I didn't wake him. So I didn't and enjoyed my sleep well what I could get of it since other people's babies just wouldn't shut up

Before we were discharged, I spoke to the paediatrics Dr. Again, reassured to count my lucky stars and not to wake him.

So I didn't. Went home and just let him sleep through consistently, night after night.

Fast forward to 5 weeks old and he put himself into a routine of 9pm to 9am, so 12 hour slots.

Fast forward to now at 4.5 months. Still the same but often doesn't wake until 11am.

I'm getting worried because usually I just let him wake himself and he's a happy bunny. But recently I've been trying out a few local things and he's so grumpy. For example, stay and play starts at 9.30am. He doesn't take kindly to being put in a pram and hoisted off.

I didn't know what to do in those early weeks because all the baby books and stories prepared me for sleep deprivation, not over sleeping!

It wasn't until a friend of mine commented that when her premature baby was born, she was told very clearly not to let them go over 4/5 hours because they could dehydrate or be jaundice. She said she thinks what I done was dangerous and the medical professionals advising me to let him sleep should be questioned.

Furthermore, I saw a someone with a similar baby post once and people kept saying letting small babies sleep through is indeed dangerous and to wake them.

AIBU to ask for bloods? I'm scared he's too sleepy/lethargic. He's an older baby now and still the same. I'm worried there may be an issue, of some sort.

Otherwise, he's a very healthy and happy baby who just gets very cross if things are too loud and he's trying to sleep.

He's also gained weight very well and put on instead of lost in his first week of life outside the womb.

I don't want to waste NHS time but at the same time, I don't want to miss anything abnormal. What if he has an illness I don't know about?

Obviously I'm not going to wake him now because he's an older baby. But could his overall sleeping habits be a sign of something?

It can't be normal because it was bashed and hammered home to me so much during pregnancy that I would Be sleep deprived, not setting alarms so I don't over sleep and end up getting myself ready and gone 12 in the afternoon by the time I've had 'breakfast' and given DC their first feed Blush

OP posts:
peachgreen · 26/02/2018 20:55

As the parent of a non-sleeping newborn it's taking all I have not to accuse you (through sobs) of posting the biggest stealth boast of all time!

You'd know if he was jaundiced by now and if he's gaining weight okay I can't see that there's anything to worry about, but if you're concerned ask your HV?

DrewBerry95 · 26/02/2018 20:57

Oh no, I know he's not jaundice!

I'm worried about the possibility of something less obvious and symptomatic

Sorry you're having a difficult time with your little one Thanks

OP posts:
SueDunome · 26/02/2018 20:57

Otherwise, he's a very healthy and happy baby who just gets very cross if things are too loud and he's trying to sleep.

He's also gained weight very well and put on instead of lost in his first week of life outside the womb.

This is the most important part of your post. He is happy, healthy and gaining weight. By all means, talk it through with an HV or your GP if you're concerned, but remember that all babies are different and there are no rules.

My dd slept for 12 hours at night from about six weeks. Not every night, but enough for me to get enough sleep too. She's now a very happy 15 year old who still loves her bed.

If your ds is making progress in every other way, relax and enjoy him.

SD1978 · 26/02/2018 20:58

He’s gaining weight, and is appropriately interactive when awake. If he was underweight and lethargic and not hitting milestones it would be reasonable, but I doubt they’d investigate a healthy baby who clearly just loves his sleep! Talk to your HB but I hope that she’ll reassure you. Congratulations on a perfect sleeping baby!!

blueskyinmarch · 26/02/2018 21:00

My DD1 slept all night from day 1. I never woke her. She grew up just fine. Nothing wrong with her - just a sleepy head.

DrewBerry95 · 26/02/2018 21:00

The thing is though, he's not much interested at things once he's awake.

I have friends with younger DC/same age and they're all very much interested in bright colours and shapes. They're lovely to be around, so interactive. Whilst mine... is snoring in the corner Hmm

OP posts:
DrewBerry95 · 26/02/2018 21:01

blues were you take aback?

I'm going to make a wild assumption that the sleep deprivation cliche didn't apply to you then Wink

OP posts:
puglife15 · 26/02/2018 21:01

It doesn't sound usual, but if he seems happy and healthy then you probably have nothing to worry about.

Lucky you - I've not had more than a few hours' consecutive sleep in years.

Isadora2007 · 26/02/2018 21:01

I must admit not waking til 11am would have me worried but then I guess 9pm May be considered late for some babies so if he slept 7pm til 9am would that still seem odd?

I’m guessing it may be worth at least talking to someone about it if it is worrying you. Can you see him sleeping during the night? Is he in with you?

Being happy and gaining weight and meeting milestones all are good indicators of a healthy child so maybe you’ve just got the holy grail of babies...

lljkk · 26/02/2018 21:02

You really need to talk thru your concerns with a health visitor. it's what they are there for.

And no, I don't think he needs a blood test. Are you generally prone to anxiety? The anxiety could be a problem.

Witchend · 26/02/2018 21:02

Dd1 was like that.
Dd2 was known as the Revenge. Grin

Isadora2007 · 26/02/2018 21:03

Hmmmm. Not being as “bright” or inquisitive would worry me actually. Does he nap as well? Seem sleepy?

Can you see him when he is asleep overnight?

How much sleep would be typically have in a 24 hour period?

DrewBerry95 · 26/02/2018 21:04

Isadora it is odd. He's in with us, yes. He goes down on his own. Then I miss him and bring him in to sleep with me when I go to bed

I usually change his bottom one last time before I myself go to bed but he doesn't really bother waking, and I've tried dream feeds but no such luck

Just completely aggravated at having an unwanted breast in his face Sad

OP posts:
LaurieMarlow · 26/02/2018 21:04

How old is he now OP?

blueskyinmarch · 26/02/2018 21:05

I don't recall being taken aback. My friends with small babies were very envious though. They still talk about my sleepy babies (DD2 was a great sleeper too) even though mine are both in their 20's now!

Rainbowsandflowers78 · 26/02/2018 21:05

Im sorry to raise this but clearly you are formula feeding him? This is normal for a ff baby but not a bf one.

DrewBerry95 · 26/02/2018 21:05

He's very happy, 'chatty' and alert otherwise. But doesn't seem much interested in baby TV, for example

He is quite grumpy during the day, and my childcare slot is at 6pm when the news comes on - he loves big people faces talking at him

OP posts:
PaperdollCartoon · 26/02/2018 21:06

My nephew was like this, just slept. Not from day one, but from about 6/7 weeks would sleep easily 10 hours through the night and then a 3 hour nap in the day. I remember looking after him overnight when he was about 8 months and he slept from 9pm until gone 8am.... He had those three hour naps until he was about 3 as well. My DSis took him to the GP at about 10 months because she was worried, GP said it's fine.

He might have a sleep regression and be awful in a few months, or he just be a sleepy baby! Either way as long as he's gaining weight as he should and doesn't seem in any other way unwell, I'd try not to worry and just enjoy it.

PaperdollCartoon · 26/02/2018 21:07

Also a 4.5 month old definitely doesn't need to be watching any TV. BabyTV is at no point a requirement.

Calvinlookingforhobbs · 26/02/2018 21:07

My friends had this exact same situation with their EBF baby.. until she hit 6 months and has kept them up for the last year. I’ll be honest and admit I wasn’t entirely sorry when that happened.

DrewBerry95 · 26/02/2018 21:07

Rainbow he is breastfed on demand.

Feeds every 4 hours or so during the day, long feeds on each breast.

He's 4.5 months now

OP posts:
DrewBerry95 · 26/02/2018 21:07

Sorry 6.5 x

OP posts:
blueskyinmarch · 26/02/2018 21:07

My DD1 was breast fed. Still super sleepy. I used to be full to bursting waiting for her to wake up.

Calvinlookingforhobbs · 26/02/2018 21:08

I second the no tv thing. Most research and paediatrics advise limiting it until 3 years.

Jassmells · 26/02/2018 21:10

It's unusual but doesn't necessarily mean anything wrong. Are you genuinely worried or just thinking its weird?
Is his movement all
Ok eg rolls etc?

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