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Original poster

5 week old sleep pattern

7 replies

Saroo2 · 29/07/2024 08:27

Hello

My 5 week old has developed a little pattern that I'm keen to try and break if I can or improve!!

We go to bed at about 9pm and generally he sleeps for 2.5 hours maybe a little more or a little less. He then feeds and he sleeps again for 2-2.5 hours. This takes us to 4am where he then decides he's done doing big sleeps and it takes me an hour to settle him back to sleep then he will do 45 min to max an hour at a time!

So I do get about 7 hours unbroken sleep which is good but the shorter sleeps make me feel so tired!

We don't have black out blinds so I'm wondering if this could be contributing? I try to pay attention to wake windows and make sure there is the right level of sleep and awake in the day but it is hard when out and about to always get it spot on!

Any advice or will it just improve in time when he develops his circadian rhythm?

Thanks!

OP posts:
haveatye · 29/07/2024 08:34

It will improve in time. They often sleep a bit better as newborns then start doing this kind of cheekiness later on.

You've just got to ride it out. I'm not sure if the apps etc that let you track it help tbh - you know if you're tired!

It's knackering but you'll get through.

haveatye · 29/07/2024 08:37

If you can't get enough sleep, try to do other things that help you feel good rather than gross - enough water, fresh air every day, eat decent food. Could be munching on apples or carrots rather than anything that needs lots of prep.

I thought of exhaustion as a bit like living in a hot country - at first you can't bear it but then you just slow down, adjust and work with the amount of energy you have.

dbeuowlxb173939 · 29/07/2024 08:46

It sounds completely normal which isn't much comfort, but he will sleep for longer as his stomach gets bigger to hold more milk.
Are you able to co sleep or have him in a next to me crib? Can you feed lying down so you can still rest even if not asleep?

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mindutopia · 29/07/2024 09:13

This sounds amazing for 5 weeks. 😂 Yes, a dark room will help. Do you have a partner? If you are doing the night feeds and settling, they can get up in the morning.

Or I used to give ours to Dh at like 7/8pm and go to bed, he’d bring them to me at 10pm for a feed and then do everything until next wake up at 12/1am, so I could get as much sleep as possible before taking over for the rest of the night.

Original poster
Saroo2 · 29/07/2024 09:49

dbeuowlxb173939 · 29/07/2024 08:46

It sounds completely normal which isn't much comfort, but he will sleep for longer as his stomach gets bigger to hold more milk.
Are you able to co sleep or have him in a next to me crib? Can you feed lying down so you can still rest even if not asleep?

Thank you, he still feeds more than the 'prescribed' amount for his age which is every 3-4 hours but that doesn't worry me massively as they're all different and better to be feeding more than not enough! He is in a next to me. I don't feel overly comfortable co sleeping in the night with my husband in the bed too but I do co sleep naps in the day! I don't do side lying feeding as he is often sicks up some milk and my sheets end up covered if I don't get him up and burp him quick enough!

OP posts:
haveatye · 29/07/2024 09:52

Saroo2 · 29/07/2024 09:49

Thank you, he still feeds more than the 'prescribed' amount for his age which is every 3-4 hours but that doesn't worry me massively as they're all different and better to be feeding more than not enough! He is in a next to me. I don't feel overly comfortable co sleeping in the night with my husband in the bed too but I do co sleep naps in the day! I don't do side lying feeding as he is often sicks up some milk and my sheets end up covered if I don't get him up and burp him quick enough!

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Put a muslin down under boob/babies head when feeding on your side.

Original poster
Saroo2 · 29/07/2024 09:52

mindutopia · 29/07/2024 09:13

This sounds amazing for 5 weeks. 😂 Yes, a dark room will help. Do you have a partner? If you are doing the night feeds and settling, they can get up in the morning.

Or I used to give ours to Dh at like 7/8pm and go to bed, he’d bring them to me at 10pm for a feed and then do everything until next wake up at 12/1am, so I could get as much sleep as possible before taking over for the rest of the night.

Oh I'm absolutely not complaining about those long sleeps... they feel amazing haha I was just wondering if I could do anything about after 4am for my sanity 😂 I have a really supportive husband who does all night nappy changes and if I'm really shattered takes him early morning before he has to get up for work so I can sleep.. we tried the 8pm me go up to bed while he has baby but I actually found it more stressful as I felt like then we had 0 time together so didn't really work as I didn't sleep as just felt sad I hadn't seen husband all day and then all evening 😂

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