I’ve broken my newborn

[Summermeadowflowers]

After five weeks where I could barely wake her up, DD is now refusing to nap. Today she’s been awake since 6 and in that time has managed maybe 40 minutes, all broken up in ten minute blocks.

If she just wasn’t tired it wouldn’t matter but she gets more and more tired as the day goes on, culminating in horrible witching hour(s) which is stressful for everybody. Her brother would at least always nod off in the car but she doesn’t!

Have just been unsuccessfully trying for nearly an hour and have had to give up

Oh, this is so hard and frustrating. I ended up wearing them in slings or carriers as they would eventually fall asleep and it didn't seem as stressful.
DD used to be amazing in the car but DS started off hating it, he's coming up to 8 months now and getting so much better in the car but still won't nap in a pram.
I still wear him in the carrier in the days because it's easier.
It definitely does get better even though it doesn't feel like it at the moment

I forgot how stressful naps are! Problem with the sling is that it makes my milk leak and my breasts get engorged having her so close, it is really uncomfortable!

Oh, that's not good. Have you got some good breast pads?
I haven't found mine too bad with baby close and it has been the only way I can do anything. DD is 2 so having DS in a carrier when he's getting tired is just the easiest.

Put her in pram and head out to enjoy the sunshine! Or put pram outside and leave her for a bit. It's hard but I'm not convinced 'trying' helps, if you are stressed about it, baby will sense it.

She isn’t an enormous fan of the pram, but it is early days. It feels like she’s been here forever and I have to keep reminding myself she’s only just over a month old!

6 weeks is growth spurt and when their sleep patterns starts to change. Totally normal.

Do you have a swaddle? When mine got so overtired they were hugely upset and couldn't fall asleep, I would swaddle them tightly and hold them in a dark room while playing loud white noise (or just shhhing loudly). Invariably they would fight the swaddle for a few minutes and be asleep within 5.