11 day old won't sleep and wants feeding all the time

[EmC1983]

Help! Baby won't sleep and feeds every 1 hr the past 3 nights. She won't settle in basket all of a sudden having been good the past 6 nights previous. Any suggestions, a light at end of tunnel? I've not slept at all in 3 days...

Hi! Have no answers, just wanted to let you know I'm in exactly the same boat. Mine is 3 weeks old, there is no pattern to her sleeping. It sucks, I'm tired and just wish she'd fall asleep.

Hope you get some sleep too, eventually.

this is COMPLETELY normal and ESSENTIAL for your baby to do this, so that your milk supply is established and stabilised.

Please don't say that she was "good" because she slept, and by definition is being bad now.
She really isn't she is doing what she is supposed to do.

It will settle down in a few weeks, but until then you have to follow her lead.

Obviously you have to sleep so can you try and co-sleep? Look up how to co-sleep safely, it really is the only way you will be able to get some sleep at the moment. It doesn't have to be forever, you can introduce her back to her cot in a few days if you want. You have to do what works.

If you have a partner or someone helping you, ask them to take the baby for a while so you can get an hour or two.

congratulation by the way and good luck, I know it is so tough in these early days

There is light at the end of the tunnel. No magic answers other than, unfortunately, time. I'm an 'old mum', my boys are grown. DS1 was colicky, DS2 had his days and nights mixed up for weeks. I well remember calling my mum almost hysterical more than once because I though my sons would never sleep and I was destined to be awake for the next 18 years.

All I can advise is try to relax (I know, not easy) and if possible, sleep when baby sleeps, even if it's only for 1/2 hour at a time. Let housework & other things go, you need to rest when you can. Is there someone you can call, even for an hour or two to allow you to nap or at the very least hold the baby while you relax? Don't try to be 'Supermum'. Calling a friend or relative because you are exhausted doesn't mean anything other than that you are human, just like all mothers.

Are you bf? It's not uncommon that your milk production may be less than optimal in the early days & that's why baby is feeding more often. I'm not sure what today's advice is, but we were told to drink a beer a day & plenty of water. Now, my sons are 30 & 24 so the beer advice may no longer be considered proper.

This too shall pass.

Congratulations and sympathy. DH reckoned with our DD that she could sense when we were utterly utterly broken and only then would she relent and allow us a bit of sleep. Not sure if that qualifies as light at the end of the tunnel or not...

I echo everything Rose said, plus standard MN advice: forget the housework, make sure you and your DP are taking turns at getting some sleep as much as possible, and limit visitors as needed so you don't get stressed. And if they say 'what can I do' or 'what can I bring', DO NOT say 'oh nothing, we're fine'. Let people help you.

Hi all, thank you for your comments. I do have a husband yes and he does do his fair share, it's just unfortunate this week that he has two days where he has to be up at 5.30am to drive to Northampton (we live in Manchester), so I've let him get some sleep so he's safe to drive.

I know she's not being 'bad' by not sleeping, I didn't mean to imply that by any means. Just the tiredness talking unclearly I think.

I don't want to co-sleep and neither does my husband, we both are very 'active' sleepers - I don't think there's a night I don't get a hand in my head back and vice versa. Ha! So wouldn't want baby stuck near that.

I am breast feeding but my milk has definitely come in properly, she's put weight on: born at 9lb 6oz, was 8lb 15oz at day 5 and back up to 9lb 9oz at day 10, so that's not our problem here. She's just very hungry the past few days. She has grown, so maybe all is part of a growth spurt.

Thank you for all responses. At least I know it's normal. I felt like I was doing something wrong. :)

Hi I total understand were your coming from newborn babies normalmy do this around the 2 week mark as they go threw growth spurts it is a little more noticeablewhen your breastfeeding cuz it feels like there never off you. but she will slowly get herself in to a routine can you try to sleep when she sleeps during the day. I have a 13 month old who always use to do this

Yes I'm going to have a sleep today when she does. Yesterday didn't turn out like that with midwife calling and my doctor phoned me, but should usually be easier to have a doze when she does. Thanks for your message x

Hello was jus reading your post. We are mow 9 weeks and I remember th early days too well. It does pass, but it's just so evil. How are things now?