Staying awake on night feeds

[Lolarosemama]

My LO is 5 days old and feeding every hour. I need some tips to stay awake on night feeds as I’m really struggling!!
I won’t co sleep xxx

I never came up with anything other than reading Mumsnet or scrolling on Facebook. It has to be something fairly mindless...

Maybe have a small nightlight so you can see better but without disturbing the baby?

I don't know what people did before smartphones - the light really helps you to stay awake and who the hell can follow the plot of a book at 3am?

Good luck!

Smartphones and light (I know they say keep night feeds dark etc but honestly, at five days old it does not matter one iota). Get out of bed and downstairs. Put something good on netflix or whatever and pause it when you return to bed so you can just resume it next time you come down. Arrange a plate of chocs and other tasties for feeding snacks. Prep a thermos of coffee or tea. Umm... I think that's it.

I'm up right now feeding and battling this! I go on my phone mostly, on forums, social media etc... also downloaded games like candy crush. If I'm desperately tired and fearful of falling asleep, I go down stairs, put on all the lights and the TV and sit on the edge of the sofa and feed. It's so tough sometimes but it does get better!

Hey op, I used to down loads of squash as I got thirsty and snacked watching Netflix. I took the baby downstairs and used to feed on the sofa which kept me awake and had the floor lamp on. It gets better as the days go on, hang in there. Good luck x

I have a baby who only sleeps on me so not much sleep at the moment. She's currently 3 weeks. I've been surviving on podcasts and Netflix!

Agree with others just go on phone. My lo is 4 months old and still sometimes feeds hourly. I have accidentally fallen asleep feeding sometimes (she rarely accepts feeding laying down). So I just make sure my arms are propped up with cushions in case this happens - obviously I try not to!! But after 4 months I'm struggling.

I used to actually get up and sit in a chair at the start and that helped me stay awake

I downloaded Netflix on my phone and watched it during feeds or my LO sleeping on me. Kept me awake and made me less resentful of getting no sleep. Or I'd have a browse through Mumsnet Classics, many a time I have been chuckling away to myself at 3am reading an inane thread!

If you decide to try feeding sitting up in a chair or a sofa, please be super careful not to fall asleep accidentally. It’s so dangerous and sadly easily done when you’re that tired. Personally I’d feed in bed, keeping it as clear as possible, just so it’s a bit safer if you did happen to drop off out of sheer exhaustion.