2 day old baby.... Sleeping??!

[Bellyrub1980]

Day 2 with New Born Baby:

Obviously it's early days with our newborn, and we're complete novices!

Basically, our baby has gone for really long periods without sleeping. She's been awake now for about 5 hours. In that time we've had 3 dirty nappies, 1 very wet nappy, 3 sicks roughly an hour after feeds with screaming (she's very mucousy which I've been reassured is normal) and no signs of sleeping yet.

We've now relented into taking shifts because she will sleep beautifully in our arms. I'm going to do 3 hours now while DP sleeps, hopefully a feed will happen on that time and then I will sleep for (hopefully) 3 hours while DP stats awake.

We're doing this purely to get some sleep but obviously worried it will set a president.

Did you have this problem on the early days? How did you overcome it?

I wouldn't worry about setting a precedent at two days old . Enjoy your newborn snuggles. With both my DCs, a full belly meant a good sleep was more likely. Get comfy in the couch or in bed, put the TV on, get DH to make you a snack and a cup of tea and keep offering the boob!

This kellymom link about 'second night syndrome' is also worth a read: kellymom.com/ages/newborn/bf-basics/second-night/.

It all sounds very normal - extremely tiring, but very normal. Letting her sleep in your arms won't set a precedent, she just spent nine months inside you so she needs comfort and contact. Try to go with the flow, feed times and durations will vary so follow her rhythms and sleep when you can.

Most newborns refuse to sleep when not being held, they need the warmth and comfort. Shifts is the best way to go! After a few days you can probably coax them into a Moses basket or crib. And please don't deny baby anything at this stage in the thoughts of setting a precedent or training, the first weeks are all about holding, feeding and more holding!

Like others say, normal but exhausting. We had to do shifts on the sofa with my dd for the first few weeks. Eventually I decided to co-sleep and although I had reservations about it, it did work for us and everyone got more sleep. At about six weeks I transferred her to her bedside cot.

Congrats on your lovely new baby.