1 week old odd sleeping pattern

[Crazyone84]

Well seems odd to me, first time mum so not sure.
Baby is 1 week today. She still very happy and content in her own company but also does like cuddles for reassurance. She has a next to me upstairs and a swing crib downstairs to which both she settles in beautifully, to sleep or just to lay and chatter away to herself however nighttime comes and she will not sleep other than on me or partner. She is tired you can tell but almost fights sleeping. She is formula feed as I can't breastfeed and is eating and pooing really well. Any advice on helping her settle at night and why will she settling in the day fine but not in the night?

She is far too young to know the difference between night and day. It is quite normal. She is a tiny baby and will want to be held. No 1 week old will have a regular sleeping pattern, and if they do, it will change frequently.

Babies are designed to be more awake at night for two reasons 1) evolution, as in the days of being out in the wild, night was a more dangerous time. If babies woke their parents, they'd be more protected in the dark. 2) Breastfeeding hormones are also highest overnight so babies are awake to feed lots and bring that milk supply in. I know you're formula feeding but the biology remains the same!

Keep going, it's exhausting but you sound like you're doing a fab job. It won't last forever

At that age they don't have any concept of the difference between night and day. They adapt to that slowly over the coming weeks and months. It is part of what makes having a baby such a culture shock, especially first time around.

As this is your first baby you can nap if you wish when they do, but I would keep up some sort of a normal daytime routine too. Don't keep the house especially quiet when they are napping. Have normal, daytime stuff going on - radio on, doing some household chores.

When mine were that age I also made night feeds business only. Feed, wind, put down. Nappy change only if strictly necessary (i.e. a dirty nappy). Stimulation and playing were only for during the day.

I also fairly quickly learned that it was far better to get out for some fresh air every day. One of mine was a December baby too, so I just wrapped her up warmly and usually went out whatever the weather.

Good luck. Things do get easier.

Thank you for replies. Very reassuring that this is normal. I love that she wants to be with me and cuddle. Sounds like we will just have to ride it out all together and it will settle. She is amazing and perfect otherwise!