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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

How long should my 1 month old be awake and alert for?

12 replies

rabster · 20/02/2007 14:51

The subject heading says it all...

Ds is 1 month old now. Most times, after a feed he will stay awake (active, alert awake, not crying, colicky awake - that is a different matter) for about 15 minutes at a time. Sometimes it is just long enough for us to change the nappy, and other times we get a little interaction with him in his bouncy chair etc. Obviously, sometimes he goes for longer, but this is the average. Is this about right, as it doesn't seem like a lot of alert time to me?

OP posts:

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derlor · 20/02/2007 14:58

are you breast feeding or bottle feeding?

Original poster

rabster · 20/02/2007 15:00

I am breast feeding.

OP posts:

derlor · 20/02/2007 15:05

i assume he is putting on weight?
it may be that he is not getting to your hind milk when feeding this is the milk that gives him all the energy - ask your health visitor to check your feeding technique if concerned - note how long he feeds for at a time, is he a lazy feeder?

Coolmama · 20/02/2007 15:07

baby will sleep for about 18 hrs a day at this age - so if you add in the time spent breastfeeding and the time he is awake, you will get to 24hrs very quickly - sounds about right to me.

Original poster

rabster · 20/02/2007 15:10

Derlor - He has put on load of weight - 10oz this week, and a total of 3lb from birth.

It's funny - when he isn't sleeping I am worried, then when he is, I worry he is sleeping too much!!

OP posts:

liquidclocks · 20/02/2007 15:17

So if he's having 6/7 feeds (at least!) of 45mins or more sometimes, plus 15 mons afterwards that equals about the right amount of time I'd expect for 1 month.

I found with both DS's they really perked up about 6 weeks - enjoy the peace and quiet while you can, you're going to need your energy!

Twiglett · 20/02/2007 15:20

I think the person who knows best is your baby

I think you're getting confused by people who believe in 'routines'

let baby lead the way with alert times / sleep times and you'll be fine .. honestly ..

liquidclocks · 20/02/2007 15:24

I believe in routines and the OP's 1 month old still sounds right to me - they're too little at this age to start worriying. Just enjoy their tiny-ness - it doesn't last long enough

Othersideofthechannel · 20/02/2007 15:26

Yes, and enjoy all the sleeping!

KathyMCMLXXII · 20/02/2007 15:28

I think they're quite varied in how awake and alert they are at that age - my dd was already hardly sleeping at all during the day at that age, but ds was more like yours: he was really not that alert at 1 month.
Completely different now at 2 months though - he could coo and smile for England.

derlor · 20/02/2007 15:34

i'm a hv and sounds fine to me so long as his weight gain is good which it is then just enjoy the current peace and quiet when you get it. i can assure you you'll soon be wishing he was sleeping!!!

TCsMummy · 20/02/2007 22:15

My DS was similar at 1 month old - any activity led to crying very quickly and we didn't feel like we would ever play with him or put him down! The change came at around 6 weeks - suddenly he would lie in his baby gym or sit in his bouncy chair for 20 mins or more, and it continued to increase as the weeks went by. Now he's almost 6 months, very alert and interested in everything and it's almost impossible to get him to sleep during the day, but you can't have it all ways I guess!

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