Oh brilliant. 5 week old DS sleep getting worse not better!

[Bet01]

I'm seriously miffed about this: DS slept pretty well until a few nights ago-
Average tiny baby hours of 11-3am, then 3.30am-5.30am, and finally about 6am to 8am. I was happy enough with that and thinking we were in a nice little routine. But the last few nights after going to bed hes woken every 1-2 hours all night, and wide awake by 6am with no chance of going back to sleep. Naturally DP and I are knackered.
I can't think of anything that's changed except perhaps we've been out with him in the day a bit more than normal, meaning he's had quite long naps in his buggy (2 hours or so). But I thought alot of sleep in the day was a good thing (sleep begets sleep as they say).
Has this happened to anyone else? And did things change back again. Just looking for some reassurance really!

This happened to me, i think, although those first few weeks are so blurry. When it did happen i think it was a growth spurt so I feed him loads. It lasted a couple of nights with us.

Hope it improves for you xx

Thanks for the reply, I think you might be right about the growth spurt, can't think what else it could be really. Ive had two nights of it now so fingers crossed it's coming to an end!

A five-week-old is unlikely to have a 'routine' and stick to it for any length of time. You're going to encounter growth spurts and then teething, wakefulness if he's snuffly, etc for a while to come, so just roll with it. Sleep when he sleeps if you're feeling knackered, take it in turns to get up with him if that's possible - or have at least one morning per week where you let the other sleep in for a while and/or take a nap while the other cares for him. Unfortunately, being exhausted when you have a newborn goes with the territory, but sharing the duties can help.

At such a young age it's likely to be a growth spurt. Feed every 1-2 hours in the day and he will probably settle down again.

But I also agree with juneau. When my dd was born I thought her sleep would progress in a straight line- ie getting better as time went on. This is also (much to my annoyance, in hindsight!) what The Books led me to believe.

In reality, even a baby who sleeps well on the whole will constantly experience hiccups thanks to growth spurts/teething/illness/developmental leaps/the seasons changing/the phase of the moon etc etc.

It's too early to expect the madness to end yet! But it will. And it's certainly far too early to attempt any sort of sleep training. In the mean time you can build the foundations for good sleep habits (an evening routine, an early bedtime, daytime naps, not feeding to sleep if poss)- it sounds like you are doing this anyway which is good. And enjoy the periods of good sleep.

Oh and yes, it did happen to us. And yes, it did get loads better, very quickly.

You're right, way too little for routine really, I think lack of sleep is just getting to me! It's really reassuring to hear it's not just me that suffers though (sounds mean, sorry!) I just need to give it time and relax a little I think.

It's actually a classic age for a growth spurt. It will pass but there are a few more classic times for it so worth googling to find out more about when they typically occur.

Well, seems like you were all right-growth spurt the likely cause. DS slept much better last night. 10.30-1.30, 2-5, and 5.30-6.30. I can cope with 7 hours, even if it's not all in one hit. But I'll try and go with the flow a bit more since DS is still so young. Fingers crossed for tonight!