Wake windows - bathing and nappy changes ?

[Ppeter500]

Hello
just in need of some advice .. have a newborn nearly 4 weeks old.
everyone talks about wake windows and bathing baby in wake windows but my baby doesn’t have these windows? Baby wakes to cry for a nappy change or bottle, I respond, she is content and then nods off again.
she might have a period of time after a feed where she is awake once in the day, but this is only because she hasn’t taken enough and is waiting for more food… so she’s content but is just alert and waiting, after half hour or so she’ll be crying!
before I would think it’s a good time to bath her but because she was still a bit hungry she’s just start screaming crying.
so I basically have no idea when to bath her as has to be done when not hungry, tired, sleepy or just been fed … so doesn’t leave a lot of time for a baby who doesn’t have wake windows… when I do currently bath her she absolutely hates it so it’s got to the point where I just have to top and tail her as best I can…
also while I’m here may as well mention that she also absolutely HATES nappy changes!! I’m talking she screams the house down!! On the odd occasion she’s awke after a feed and I change her nappy she’s fine, but majority of the time it’s just not a good experience for anyone!

please can the experiences mummas tell me where I’m going wrong!

Bless you OP she sounds like a handful, but this is entirely normal!
Remember, bath times aren't long events like for us - 1 minute in the bath and some babies are over it. Even just a dunk will do.

You should be aiming for 30-60minute wake windows, even just once or twice a day. It's ok to keep baby awake, entertain by reading or singing or showing her toys, etc.

You can aim to wake, feed, wind, entertain, bath. Entertaining after a good sleep and feed will make her a little alert, then she can to back to sleep after her bath.

Babies not liking baths and nappy changes is normal, in the bath try to lay a warm flannel over her, and pour the water gently onto the flannel. You could also try bathing with baby, try it when you have someone on hand to take her off you, as you and her will both be slippy! Skin to skin or feeding while bathing might soothe her.

Additionally, try to change her on your lap. With your legs together, her head near your knees. It might be a little more comforting to her. Or a towel or blanket on the changing mat.

You'll find over the next couple of weeks she'll change even more, and she'll grow out of hating nappy changes. Remember, if something isn't going well, it's 99% chance it's not your fault! Everything is temporary, and it does get easier x

I wouldn’t worry about a bath a all at the moment or maybe just once a week. Just go with the flow for now and wait until she is awake for longer before doing a regular bath. I wouldn’t bother thinking about wake windows yet either as long as she is waking for feeds it’s fine. You’ll probably find she wakes up a lot in the next few weeks. I found wake windows useful from around 8 weeks when DD started getting overstimulated if awake too long.

What are wake windows?
sorry I don’t know what these things are but the best advice I can give you as a mother of three young kids is not to stress out and remember she is four weeks old.

All babies are also different. One of mine hardly slept at all in the day. One was a cat napper and one hardly slept at all. Don’t make yourself anxious about whether you should conform to what others do in terms of bathing / “entertaining” a newborn / being super woman. You just did an amazing thing and it’s very early days.

Hope this at least helps you to not be too hard on yourself!

@TravellingT second the warm flannel over their little bodies. Works a treat 😌

Are you trying to bath every day? Give up on that for a start!

She's 4 weeks old just go with the flow for now.

Congratulations!

I think wake windows are a bit of a trend but there's no evidence to support that they exist. Lyndsey Hookway gives great, realsitic sleep advice and is on Facebook and Instagram: https://www.facebook.com/LyndseyHookway

There isn't a 'right' way to manage a tiny baby. I would muddle along for now encouraging them to know the difference between day and night, feed them on demand, change nappies as needed and offer comfort when they want it. Any sleeping in their own bed or the pram is a win, get out with the sling or a pram when you can and don't put any pressure on yourself. They aren't really dirty so don't need frequent baths.I would prioritise one for yourself when you get the opportunity though. It used to comfort me to think about how a mother manages with DC2 or 3 and toddler(s).... she can't worry about wake windows as DC1 might need to be walked to nursery or want a book reading to them and DC2 might be rushing for the potty.Its onerous enough without adding false targets into your life. Best of luck.

I didn't even bother with baths until they were a little bit older, just top and tail as and when needed when doing nappy or getting changed.
wake windows will become clearer and more defined from about 8 weeks