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Behaviour/development

Talk to others about child development and behaviour stages here. You can find more information on our development calendar.

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Original poster

New mum needs advice!!!!!

12 replies

Jam77 · 05/10/2006 11:22

Hi - am a new mum to a beautiful 3 week old little girl who I think may have her day and nights mixed up.....any advice on how to turn my day time sleeping angel into a dream at nightime?
Thanks!!!!

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bamboo · 05/10/2006 11:54

Welcome ! Sorry, I'll be the last to offer advice - my dd was an awful sleeper (though fantastic now) and ds is a good sleeper turned bad but I'm bumping this for you.

FWIW 3 weeks seems early days though I'm sure this is scant consolation if you are sleep deprived .

mamijacacalys · 05/10/2006 12:21

My DD is 13 weeks, and following my experience with DS (now 4 - he used to wake and take ages to go back down at night) I have consciously made the night feeds unfussy from the beginning i.e. pick up and feed and put straight back, avoid changing nappy unless pooey and ensure dim light (nightlight instead of ordinary lamp). She doesn't sleep much in the day (about 30-45min per nap max) but she cluster feeds from about 5 before going down at 8 and sleeps through until 8, with "dream feeds" at about 1 and 5.

Hope this helps.

Original poster

Jam77 · 05/10/2006 12:39

Thanks Guys!!! so good to get tips!!! I thought 3 weeks is early days but so many people have been saying how good their babies were for knowing the differnce between day and night i started to wonder what I was doing wrong!! someone suggested I keep her awake all day but I can't see that's right, or the answer....I will just keep trying to gently persuade her that nightime is the time for long sleeps!
Thanks again

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accessorizequeen · 05/10/2006 13:09

3 weeks is soooo early and every baby is different, don't feel that she SHOULD be doing something just coz other babies are. And if she's napping well in daytime, that may well continue & is great if it happens as so many people have babies that won't nap during the day! Only other thing I can think of is creating nighttime routine e.g. bath, change into different 'nighttime' clothes, feed, lullaby/special music etc so she knows it's a different time & can start telling the difference. And try not to talk to her v.much during nighttime feeds - all messages to say 'you ought to be asleep'!

Original poster

Jam77 · 05/10/2006 13:17

Thanks - I know you're right, I'm putting pressure on myself and it's not right - I just need to relax and enjoy these first few weeks and not feel like I'm doing everything wrong, becoming a mum is mindblowing!!!!!

OP posts:

Amaretto · 05/10/2006 13:18

One thing tat I would advice is not to let your dd sleeping more than 3 hours in a row during the day. If she does, she is unlikely at hat age to do it again during the nigth. However, you might find it very difficult to wake her like this...
Now she is just 3 weeks old so there isn't a lot you can do TBH!

bamboo · 05/10/2006 13:22

Glad you're feeling more reassured. Also when she is asleep make sure you're resting too - don't dash round trying to do the housework etc.

marytee · 05/10/2006 14:00

Hello

The other thing i read somewhere (on here probably!) was to try to get LO out in the daylight as much as possible, doesn't matter if they are asleep. I've no idea if it did the trick but I did do lots of walking round the park and she did sort her days from nights reasonably quickly. Even better if you can get someone else to do the walking while you have a little nap! We did the same as Mamijacacalys with the night time wakes too - nice and quiet in a dark room.

HTH and that you are enjoying being a mum

Original poster

Jam77 · 05/10/2006 14:22

Thanks marytee - helps lots and I'm loving being a mum!!!

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janemw · 05/10/2006 14:44

Hi,
My DS was the same at first, lovely sleeper during the day, but awake all night. I was getting about 1 hour sleep in total per night. One of my friends told me not to let my boy go for more than three hours between feeds as they are then stocking up on milk to last them a while longer through the night. My DS is now 13 weeks and generally sleeps for about 8 hours continuous at night. Last night went from 8.30pm to 6 am!! He generally feeds two to three hourly, think its done the trick. Also I don't say a word to him if he does wake in the night and I have one of those lightweight grobags so he doesn't kick covers off. Sorry it was long but hope it helps!!

Original poster

Jam77 · 05/10/2006 15:37

Thanks, helps lots, so nice not to feel alone and have all of your helpful advice, have things I can try now - wish me luck!!!!

OP posts:

binkacat · 05/10/2006 17:14

Get a dimmer switch fitted and keep it down low at night when you go in to comford/feed/change nappy.

She will get there in the end, in the meantime have a nap when she does

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