7 week old wont sleep longer than 2 hr blocks..

[shandydrinker]

help me please.

My 7 wk old baby will not sleep longer than 2-3hr blocks at night and I am on my knees with tiredness as I have a 3yo too.

DH offered to do night feeds so I expressed milk but by the time he gets up, lights on, baby screaming, it wakes up ds. So it seems to be easier and calmer to do it myself (bf) in the dark but it means no respite ever.

We have tried "topping up" with formula in evenings, it made it worse and it was shorter sleeps of 1-2hrs that night as baby had bad wind..

Anybody have any other suggestions. I am getting desperate. My 1st born was sleeping blocks of 5 or 6 hrs at 7 weeks, was hoping it would get better with time, but it seems to be getting worse

Don't they have a growth spurt around the 7th week?
Can you sleep when the baby sleeps during the day if your DS is at school/nursery?

Good luck!

Growth spurt is possible I guess, do you know how long they last?

DS only at nursery a couple of days and its when I can get stuff done, not over the top housework, stuff like pay bills, get fringe cut.. also cos Im running on adreneline its hard to just "switch off" and sleep during the day. Also frustrating when you just get to sleep and the baby is awake again.. arrghhh.

Somebody tell me it gets easier... right?

It gets easier, but to be honest, waking every two to three hours is NORMAL. Your baby is still tiny, still has a tiny stomach and needs feeding regularly through the night.

I know that might sound harsh, but I found the broken nights SO much easier to deal with when I accepted them rather than trying to work out when they would end.

It gets easier. No, really.

about a week i think. Also i find that taking DS2 for a walk in the pushchair make him sleep better at night.
but yes, it will get easier... it's only the first few months that are difficult [WINK]

Are you co-sleeping? Could you think about doing so, at least until he starts to sleep longer? Has to be safer than this sleep deprivation, especially with a toddler to deal with as well.

Honestly just do whatever it takes to get you through :)

thanks just needed to hear those words

clemette you are right its normal but i fantasise about a four hour block....

Anyone? a magic sleep extending top tip ...??

Yes, co-sleeping! Seriously, it's an absolute life saver. If nothing else you can doze while you are feeding him.

Bertie, how do I do this without squashing him or him getting too hot? Im up for co sleeping if I can do it safely.

thankds tostaky, will take him out a bit more in pushchair and see if it helps

This is the best set of guidelines I know of - Unicef co-sleeping leaflet

You should not roll on him as your instinct and body position will prevent this. Most breastfeeding mothers find that they naturally "curl around" the baby in a position which not only prevents you from rolling over, but also stops the baby wriggling up or down the bed.

Reduce covers as much as possible - use blankets rather than duvets or just keep the duvet down near your legs and/or wear a dressing gown and warm PJs yourself. Just dress him in a vest or sleepsuit (both once it gets colder) and you can put a cotton blanket on him as well. He won't overheat as your body temperature will actually work to regulate his. Blankets are easy to adjust though if you do think he's getting too hot or too cold. The best test of this is to touch the back of his neck. If it's sweaty, reduce a layer, if it's cold add one.

Get a bed guard, block any gap between your bed and the wall if it's next to one or use a bedside cot. Most cots can be converted to a bedside cot if you would find this more reassuring. It's a good compromise in my opinion.

Honestly it's much safer to create a safe space for baby in your bed than to risk falling asleep while feeding them in a sofa or chair while totally sleep deprived.

thanks Bertie, will give it a go. If I know Im doing it safely I reckon itll be nice to snuggle up to my baby at night

It is, it's lovely :) I hope it works well for you.

If you fancy more to read, Three In A Bed is a lovely book all about co-sleeping. Bit much to buy a book just for some guidelines though

I second co-sleeping and if you can find/make the time read the Three in a Bed book - it's great.

Also try not watching TV in the evening - seemed to make my sleep more satisfying if that makes sense...

But it will get better... honest... although the next growth spurt is at 12 weeks....

I'd also recommend co-sleeping. I wish I'd started doing it regularly before 4 months as I'd have been so much less sleep deprived. I couldn't sleep during the day either. I was amazed to find myself dozing off during night feeds.

My DS's 6 week growth spurt lasted from 6 weeks to 7.5 weeks. He didn't seem to have the 12 week one.