2 days old and I'd forgotten how hard no sleep is

[NewBabyNoName]

DD2 arrived in a bit of a rush early hours of Sunday. Managed to get her to go down for 3.5 hours in her Moses Basket Sunday night so feeling ok...
Last name got, nothing. As soon as I try and put her in she's awake again, my nipples are agony and I can barely sit down.

I know it's very early days and it'll get better fat but I had forgotten how hard this bit is!

Sorry for any mistakes, I'm struggling to keep my eyes open.

[gothefcktosleep]

Can you co-sleep? It’s the only thing holding the fragments of my sanity together.... my DD was adamant she wasn’t sleeping on her own from day dot too. It’s tough.

Congratulations by the way

[roley]

First of all congratulations!!!
My baby is 5 weeks old tomorrow and I was just the same as you!! Mine is also DC2 and yes I swear we block the early memories of sleep deprivation out. You're doing amazing well and though it feels relentless right now it absolutely does get better (though I appreciate that doesn't help right now).
Plan of action.. you need some sleep. Do you have some support? DP, parents etc., they need to help you get some rest. Even if it's in small blocks. And for your sore nipples, order some hydrogel breast discs from amazon (expensive but worth every penny I promise).
Well done and remember these early days dont last. Be kind to yourself mama!

[NewBabyNoName]

Thanks, have had a bit of a sleep and am feeling better already. I'll be handing her over to DH shortly and having a bit more.

What do the hydrogel discs help with? I was going to make up some lavender pads for my stitches to go in the fridge today so will chuck some breast pads in too and try some homemade in the meantime. I've got an Amazon order on the way with a 'stats warm all night' hot water bottle alternative which will hopefully help make the Moses basket more appealing.

Hoping my milk comes in today, I seem to recall that being a turning point.

[INeedNewShoes]

I remember enough with DD to remember that nights 2 and 3 were basically crying and sleepless but not being able to bear putting DD on the boob more often.

Days 4 and 5 were a bit better, then after that it all got a lot easier as my milk was in and the nipple issues were subsiding a bit.

Rest if you can today!

[roley]

So the hydrogel pads are really soothing and help to heal the nipple between feeds.. I couldn't use lansinoh nipple cream as it made mine worse but maybe that's a cheaper alternative. The discs have definitely got me through the first couple of sore weeks this time round.

I seem to remember my turning point for everything being after the day 5 hormonal crash. I had a really good cry to my mum and midwife and then things began to improve. Don't get me wrong I'm still having some "bad" days too but mostly great. It's a big transition again especially with 2 but sleep is a huge factor!!!!.. grab it whenever you can and sod the visitors/housework.. can all wait

[NewBabyNoName]

Thanks @roley, I'm trying to be more consistent with the lanolin cream, and hoping that once my milk comes in properly the clampet action will ease off...
Have had some pads soaked with a bit of lavender down my top to help though in the meantime.

[riddles26]

Congratulations! Mine is 4 weeks, also DC2 and I felt exactly the same in the first week! With DC1, we took it in turns to stay up and hold her at night while the other one slept and then caught up during the day. This isn't an option with an energetic toddler to run after during the day. This time, I co-slept for the first 2 weeks until I could get DC to go down on their own and persevered with a good swaddle. Still exhausting with half hour to hourly feeding all night but at least I got a little rest.

DC2 also fed (and still does) much more frequently than DC1, so I know what you mean about the nipple pain. Mam compresses are a godsend but also expensive, I used one every few days and kept them on all day - I could feel a huge difference after.

Try get some sleep any point you can during the day - easier said than done I know!