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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

HELP!!! my 11 week old baby hardly sleeps during the day

6 replies

negra · 18/05/2009 21:42

I really hope someone can help me. I am a first time mum and there is a jungle of information out there, I am a bit lost as what to do... my little girl was born 32 weeks premature and spent 3 weeks in SCBU. She was a picture of health so I had her home as soon as I could. She is fully breastfeeding but left SCBU with a routine of sleeping every 4 hours, awake for an hour or so, day and night, most days. In the last two weeks this wonderful schedule has gone out the window and I dont know why or how to tackle it. It is a coincidence that she began to be unsettled the day I took her to town for few hours for the first time. then it took me few days to get her back to the routine and for the second time I took her out to do some shopping, she is now very restless through the day. She sleeps fairly well at night, getting up two or three times for a change and a feed... but during the day it is a struggle!! I am feeding every hour to two hours, and rocking, singing, swadling, laying down with her for most of the day, as she would only sleep for an hour or so before she is up again. I have tried everything I can possibly think of... any advice from other mums will be greatly appreciated!!!

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fannybanjo · 18/05/2009 21:52

Have you tried a dummy?

I had this problem recently with DD3 (also BF and is now 14 weeks old) and I needed to re-swaddle her but you say you are already swaddling. I am afraid other than a dummy I have no idea!

KirstyJC · 18/05/2009 21:56

A sling might be worth a try - my DS slept better in that and you can at least do something else when he is awake!

Regarding routines, I think babies always wait until you work them out before changing them. My DS1 (5 years) and DS2 (6 months) have both done this - never kept things the same for more than a few weeks. Ahh, the joy of motherhood...!

wrinklytum · 18/05/2009 22:15

First off,don't worry you aren't doing anything wrong.My first baby was a "Good baby" and slept quite well and regularly,but no2 was a horrible nightmare sleeper.

At 11 weeks I seem to recall they were both more wakeful as I think they have a growth spurt at this time and need more milk.

A sling is a good idea as it leaves you some freedom,and gives baby the comfort of knowing you are close by.

The important thing is to try not to stress too much (easier said than done I know) and forget about the extraneous stuff like housework etc and concentrate on you and baby.Accept all offers of help and sleep when baby catches a nap.Remember that it won't last forever (THOUGH IT FEELS LIKE IT WILL 11 WEEKS IN)Eventually lo will hit a pattern and get into a routine but 11 weeks is still tiny.IT WILL GET BETTER.

FrankMustard · 18/05/2009 22:18

if the baby's sleeping well at night, I'd be grateful - just get a good night's sleep yourself and you'll be able to cope with the days better. I know of many babies who don't sleep during the night but snore all day long (ds4 was one of those types!)
It'll change soon -everything changes every few weeks with little babies - and you'll look back on this and wonder why you were anxious!

Original poster

negra · 20/05/2009 10:11

Thanks for all the replies!!

I have tried a dummy despite not believing in them but she does not seem to like it. As she was premature, I carried her in a sling at least three hours every day for the first month I had her at home. She slept soundly in it, but I was told that she would get too used to sleep in motion and that I would suffer with this later - I should get her to sleep in her cot most of the time. I have then alternated sling with bed with cot, to see if any of these work... She seems to get overtired and overstimulated if she does not sleep when she should do, which ends up in disaster because she would then fight sleep until the end.

Is this only a stage? growth spurt? how can I gently get her into a routine of sleep during the day?!

OP posts:

ilovespagbol · 24/05/2009 08:52

Some babies don't need as much sleep as others and often girls seem to be the ones who like to be awake! My daughter never slept much in the day and still doesn't! She is too curious about the world. People told me 'you sleep when they sleep' She hardly ever did! If they aren't tired they won't sleep and you can't force it, but when they are tired, its good to be able to prepare the environment for sleep and help them. What do you do at night? Can you repeat it at nap times?
If nap times are not obvious, you could try watching her cues for tiredness, rubbing eyes, yawning and putting her down sleepy. Watch over a few days and see if there is a pattern. Or when you have fed her, is she is sleepy but not asleep, put her down. If she stirs as you place her down, put your hand on her chest, this seems to soothe them. The idea of putting down sleepy and not asleep helps them self soothe. I have to say here, we have not cracked this! But its early days for you yet.

I agree with wrinklytum and not stress if you can help it. With any issue, you and your baby will find your own way, they are all different. What might work for some may not be right for you. Hope all goes well, enjoy it, the time goes so fast!

I like Dr Sear's approach
www.askdrsears.com/html/7/T070300.asp

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