Growth spurt or something else?

[KelaS]

Not sure what is going on here - my normally settled and happy 5 wk old DD (ex bf) has suddenly got very unsettled - so far today she has only slept for max 15 mins at a time, cries almost as soon as she wakes up, and can only be calmed by feeding. Haven't been clock watching, but must have fed her 10 times since we got up at 8am (so 9 hrs!), for up to 30 mins at a time (although sometimes less). Is this normal? She usually only feeds every 2-3 hrs, and is quite happy and settled in between, and will sleep for up to 2 hrs at a time. Am getting worried that something is wrong, and not sure how long I can cope without her getting a decent amount of sleep.

It may be a growth spurt...they typically go through one at about 6 weeks.

any idea how long it will last? She is driving me mad!!! Just keeping fingers crossed she will sleep normally overnight.

I think I remember my son doing that for a few days. He's 5 months now...he went through a lot of cluster feeding at 3 weeks, and again at around 6 weeks. When he was 3 months, he was feeding every 2-3 hrs again, and doing it at night as well (by this point he had been sleeping through the night..so I really noticed it). They also go through one at 6 months... I feel bad for you, as it's definitely not an easy thing for parents to go through. Just feel better knowing that we all go through it. But after 3 days or so, if she is still doing this, maybe go see your doctor to just confirm.

Thanks nessa - its not the feeding that I mind so much - more that she isn't sleeping enough and seems so tired . Asleep now though, lets hope she stays that way for a while. might take her out in the car later to pick dp up from work to give her a chance to sleep - always sleeps in car unless we get stuck in traffic!

That's a good idea. Don't worry too much about sleep when she is growing. She will tell you what she needs more of...right now it's the food for her growing body. She will get her sleep after this spurt (maybe??) but I think that's a great idea going for a little drive. Remember: This too shall pass.

Halleluja! She slept last night!! I think going out in the car helped as it meant she got some sleep and wasn't so over-tired, so was better able to sleep overnight, and actually slept the longest she has so far - midnight to 5am!!! I can cope with feeding all day as long as i get some sleep at night, so am a very happy bunny today!!!

I know...I'd rather have it during the day than at night. It seems like they take 2 steps back to make one giant leap forward! Glad you had a good night!