Brain capsized - advice? Or just tell me it could be worse?

[unclefluffy]

My 14 week old currently wakes once or twice a night for feeds. We had a blissful period between weeks 7 and 11 when she would sleep for at least a 7 hour stretch every night (sometimes more). Right now it's down to four. I know she's hungry when she wakes. She's up for at least an hour and a half for each feed and I feel as though my brain is coming apart at the seams. She's not a good napper (but I didn't used to care because she was good at sleeping at night). If I'm lucky, she'll sleep next to me on the bed for an hour and a half at lunchtime, but I don't feel any better when I wake up and it means I miss my usual lunchtime activities (buggy fit, pilates, lunch!) Any suggestions? I already go to bed when she does.

Hi there. At 14 weeks, it sounds about the age where night-time waking does become more frequent again. I had this with both mine who slept from 8pm-5am until around 16 weeks or so and then started waking for more frequent feeds every night. One and a half hours sounds pretty good for a nap at that age, assuming that she has other (possibly shorter) naps during the day as well? Is she breast-fed or bottle-fed? If shes breastfed could you perhaps get your other half to take over a few jobs such as the evening bath so that you can have some time for yourself to just relax? Otherwise if your other half is home at the weekends can you perhaps do the early morning feed and then let him look after your daughter for a couple of hours whilst you have a lie-in? We did this and to know that you can sleep a bit longer 2 mornings a week was a god-send! The only other thing is that it does get better - honest.

You know, I think the reason for the brain capsize might be that I lost my Sunday morning nap because DH had to work! You're right - the thought of just a little bit more sleep can keep me going! She's breastfed and can't be talked into taking a bottle of EBM very often (although we keep practising in the hope that she'll get it). I just really wish that DH could do the 6am wake-up at weekends...

Her lunchtime nap IS great - although it often involves me in actively trying to keep her asleep. At least I get to doze, though! She naps at other times - 30 or 40 minutes here and there, always in arms or in the pram. She won't really nap in her carrycot, although she sleeps in it happily at night. Right - off to attempt a lunchtime nap. If it doesn't work I'll be back on here sobbing!