Averaging 1-4 hours sleep in 24 hours.

[thingymaboob]

I have a 5 week old. Just on here to moan really - she was doing 2 hour stretches in her cot but now has a crazy snotty cold (off her big sister no doubt) and she won't lie in her cot, she is so congested and chokes on her own snot. I've tried everything- nasal drops & snot sucker, raising next to me up at head end, co-sleeping. I guess I'm just going to have to ride it out. I'm trying to nap 8:30-11pm whilst DH has her and he said he'd also have her at 5am but quite often can't sleep even though exhausted. I'm EBF so he can't do much in the night and he's working too (40 minute driving commute). Any other tips please? I'm going mad! Thanks

My first slept on top of me belly down, her head on my chest (She just wouldn't be put down on her cot at all 🤦🏻‍♀️) I know it's not ideal but may work in this instance. You can raise yourself a little with an extra pillow if she's struggling with being flat. Just keep the covers away from her

I found that part of the reason I was still on alert, listening for baby even when I knew that DH was absolutely fine being ‘on duty’. He used to wrap them up and take them out in the car/pram and then I could finally rest. Baby seemed to settle better too. Could that help?

Please please pease don't do what grey has suggested if you are sleeping too. It's a total SIDS risk. And yes, I had a none sleeper who was either on his back in bed with us, or on his stomach in a moses basket, so I went against the guidelines.

It sucks, it will get better. Some time in a steamy bathroom, ideally in the bath, helps sometimes.

Won't help you, but will she nap in the pushchair or carseat? Sleep will help her.

@MaizeAmaze I read ALL about the SIDS risk

Actually babies naturally have short periods where they hold their breath and having the mother's breath on them forces them to breathe in (try blowing on your baby's face 😆 super funny!). So, if you have taken no prescription (or otherwise) drugs, no smoking, no drinking, no health issues, it IS safe to cosleep, taking all the precautions (no covers, pillows away, mother not the father, supportive bed not the fluffy sofa....) 🤷🏻‍♀️

If you take out the "hazardous situations", the risk of SIDS from co sleeping is WAY SMALLER than in the cot. Says Unicef, not me

Yeah,it cosleeping is safe. Baby sleeping ON your chest, while you sleep is not safe.

Baby on your chest, you fully awake, fine.
Baby sharing a mattress with you, and you asleep, with the precautions you mention, fine.

Baby on your chest, you sleeping in bed or on the sofa is NOT SAFE.