Newborn baby sleeping all the time

[Toobloodytired]

Now I'm not completely stupid, I know newborns sleep however guidelines state 16-17 hours a day but my baby is close to 24 hours!

He just sleeps ALL the time.

8:45 to 10:30/11 is a really long time for a newborn to be awake though. 45 mins is more what you're looking for so wake up, feed, nappy change, then it's almost time for them to sleep again. And it's very normal for them to not want to be put down - have you heard of the fourth trimester? If not, google it.

I'd speak to your midwife tomorrow. I'm confused why you're trying to keep him awake so he sleeps for longer though. You need to make sure he's fed (I know that's tough if he falls asleep) but you don't need to keep him up so he sleeps for longer chunks at this stage. He's too little.

He's sleeping ALL day, has to be woken for feeds & nappy changes.

Whereas at night is when he has the "awake" periods, wakes bang on time for feeds, wakes when having his nappy changed.

Tested for jaundice? Deficiencies? Nephew was sleepingly similar hours with mild jaundice so worth getting it checked out. Might be perfectly normal

What he's doing at night is fine - he's 9 days old, he's not meant to sleep through.

So it's like he's got days and nights mixed up? Again, that's perfectly normal. Keep the days light and bright, lots of natural light and fresh air and keep evenings darker, quiet, no stimulation and he'll get there.

Sounds fairly normal in your later posts, especially as he isn't full term yet.

I'd do all the stimulating in the morning, rather than the evening. They can get overtired and past it. Do the fresh air, singing and playing at morning and afternoon nappy times. Then feed. In the evening, go for a calmer time.

Ah! Yes, they get days and nights the wrong way around to begin with, because darkness and quietness is more familiar to them and they feel safer there.

I've actually managed to keep him awake the last hour, decided to bath him to wake him up, in the hope it'll tire him out & he'll sleep tonight without constant wake ups

Baby sleep doesn't work like that.

And yes, google the fourth trimester.

Usually while in the womb babies sleep during the day (because your movements rock them to sleep). At night when you're still (sat on the sofa or sleeping) they wake up.

Your baby is very tiny and should, ideally) be still inside you for another 12+ weeks (yes really - all human babies are born premature even if they're overdue) so he's needing you to recreate the womb for him.

He stayed awake from 7:30-10am this morning not sure why as he doesn't ever stay up past half hour!

This is all so confusing for me

Constant night wake ups are normal and probably will be for the next few years. If he is still jaundice then the needs to be woken every three hours, measured from the start of each feed, to be fed. If he is falling asleep when feeding, change his nappy and then add more milk.

• offer for milk.

I think you have some preconceptions about what he should be doing. Forget all that. Keep night time calm and boring, and daytime a bit more interesting- fresh air, eye contact, singing etc. He'll settle. Keep close eye on his weight, the amount he takes, and regular wet/dirty nappies. Never be afraid to ask advice. You'll be fine.

2 and half hours is a long time for him to be awake. 45-60 mins max and you need to be getting him back to sleep.

What are you expecting/hoping he'll be doing?

Ive been awake since 4:30PM on 5th April, I cannot physically or mentally cope with being woken up every 15 minutes. I understand that he will wake for feeds & nappy changes but I'm seriously struggling

I could have wrote this post 6 weeks ago OP, felt like I was going to die with sleep deprivation but it gets easier pretty damn quick. He will find a little routine, don't worry, your doing a good job. Newborns are still getting used to the outside world, he is still very new. Keep doing what your doing and in the next couple of weeks everything will just click. Its a big adjustment but you will get through it. Its not forever and enjoy it, they grow up pretty quick

It sounds like he has his day and night time muddled up - totally normal. Like a pp said you need to keep night boring (no eye contact/no lights etc) and day time noisy and bright.

My first slept ALL the time. Seriously she probably slept around 20 out of 24 and throughout nursery she was always the last to drop a nap. She just seemed to need more sleep than others. So I wouldn't be worried about the sleep but you could mention it to your HV in passing just be sure. I would be more concerned about the lack of milk, although if as you say lots of wet nappies etc then less so. Again, mention it to your HV and see what they say. I wouldn't be panicking though, but then I say that based on my own experience.

The fist six weeks are hell and you may contemplate adoption - I did and I love my DD more than words! You just have to believe that it will get better and sleep when he does. Are you able to put him down so you can sleep? Can someone else hold him so you can sleep?

Ive been awake since 4:30PM on 5th April, I cannot physically or mentally cope with being woken up every 15 minutes. I understand that he will wake for feeds & nappy changes but I'm seriously struggling

I'm getting confused. Why have you not slept?

Is baby sleeping all of the time? Or being awake all of the time?

To be clear here, it is very normal for baby to sleep most of the time, over 24 hours a day, in the first 6 weeks. Baby might wake up for half an hour to an hour - have a feed, nappy check, quick cuddle, then back to sleep.

Don't be actively trying to keep baby awake at this age, unless there are feeding / weight gain issues.

Wake > Feed > Back to sleep >
Wake > Feed > Back to sleep >
Wake > Feed > Back to sleep... and so on. 24 hours a day

Try:

• swaddle
• dummy
• movement (rocking, bouncy chair, pushchair)
• lots of frequent feeds

He's asleep from 7:30am-11pm solid, then have broken sleep from 11pm-7:30am so still asleep but not consistent

Until yesterday evening, you said he was sleeping almost 24 hours. When you posted that last night, was it the norm, that he was sleeping most of the time?

You are less than 2 weeks from giving birth. Take it easy.

If baby has slept most of today - take yourself to your bed, take baby with you, go to sleep.

Go to bed. Right now. Sleep.

You need to sleep with him in the day. He's clearly got day and night a bit muddled. It is pretty normal, especially when they're born a little bit early and have been jaundiced.

It will pass. I've not slept a full night for six years so, honestly, you will survive, even if it doesn't feel like it.

MY DS was like this to begin with - asleep all day and awake all night! And I cant sleep during the day unless I am seriously ill so was like a living zombie! Its just what babies do I'm afraid and you just have to ride it out. Having said that I got out the dreaded Gina Ford book which I know is controversial but when he was a couple of months old it made me feel like we both had some structure to the day (I didn't follow it to the letter). DS is now 2 and a better sleeper although I had a little face pressed into mine this morning at 5.25am shouting "Mummy!"

It doesn't matter when he sleeps and feeds, as long as he does. When he sleeps, you sleep. Was the midwife helpful this morning?

Midwife wasn't concerned, she's worried about me due to blood loss.

He's having wet & dirty nappies & feeding well....her receptionist fed him there.

Toobloodytired if you are anaemic due to blood loss you will feel even more exhausted. I do feel for you as I had to have venifer (iron) drips after I had had my son, and had to go back into hospital each time I had them. Do you have anyone that could look after your little one for an afternoon so you could rest?