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Sleep

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Original poster

Newborn wakings

12 replies

Cindy1802 · 30/12/2023 03:31

Baby is 10 days old now, and since he was born he's been pretty nocturnal. This started out as cluster feeding for hours on end, which I know is normal.

After a few nights of cluster feeding, it calmed down - but then he didnt want to go in his cot and would waken as soon as he went in it. I introduced white noise, making his sheet warm and swaddling which has really helped - the transfer to his cot is now much better. However he's now waking every hour - which includes his feed/wind/nappy change, so he's actually only in his cot for 30mins before waking up again. He does have a quick feed each time he wakens which he probably doesn't need but I'm unsure what else to do with him when he wakens!!

I can't keep going like this, I have a wild toddler who I want to be present for during the day so I can't just sleep during the day. Also want to avoid co sleeping.

Anyone got any tips/advice?

OP posts:

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

addictedtotheflats · 30/12/2023 03:47

Unfortunately sounds normal for a breastfed baby at that age. I co slept with my ebf baby from the beginning for the same reason but I know not everyone is comfortable with that. Im exclusively pumping this time round, I couldn't face the clusters again🙈

Ladyj84 · 30/12/2023 04:31

It's part of having a baby again it's how they are lol. You live tired for the first year found the same with our twins and toddler but hey just gotta get on with it and plod on. I co slept with all but had to bottle feed because they were hungry all the time

Mammyloveswine · 30/12/2023 05:23

I co slept when mine were newborn.. saved my sanity!

The lullaby trust now have safe co-sleeping guidelines!

If you are definitely against this could you express and have your partner do some of the night waking?

Or go to bed early so you at least get a shift of sleep in?

I feel for you op as I had a newborn and 2 year old although my second was sleeping pretty reliably by 8 weeks in his sleepyhead (I know not recommended but god it changed my life! Could maybe be used downstairs with husband watching baby whilst you sleep say 7-midnight? ).

Just remember it does get easier. Mine are 5 and 7 now and sleep from 8pm often until 8am or even later on a weekend/holidays!

Overthebow · 30/12/2023 05:40

It’s very normal, I’m not sure what you can do really. I have the same with my newborn at the moment and have a toddler too, it’s hard. Do you have a partner who can share with some of the wakings?

Inyourwildestdreams · 30/12/2023 05:44

Congratulations on your new baby 😊 10 days old is still so new!! Sounds very normal (certainly was in my experience anyway!). Do you have practical help at home? Partner/family etc?

Original poster

Cindy1802 · 30/12/2023 06:36

Don't get me wrong I completely appreciate its normal, but I was just wondering if anyone had any further tips to get him to sleep a bit longer than 30mins stretches. I'm not exaggerating to say that it goes on all night long!

Yes my husband is at home and gets up with the toddler in the morning, but again baby only sleeps in 30min stints so my extra sleep is still very broken.

Sounds like I'll have to either express for husband to give a bottle, or Co sleep. I just need something up my sleeve for when husband goes back to work as I will need to get up between 6-7 with toddler which I just won't be able to on the current amount of sleep I'm getting.

OP posts:

PurBal · 30/12/2023 06:48

@Cindy1802 I coslept with both mine but was a life saver with DC2. I did it for the whole of the fourth trimester. I also have an early rising 2.5yo toddler, usually around 530am (nothing we do seems to shift his wake time), so I empathise. DC2 is 6mo and still waking in the night, and the toddler has started having nightmares so I’m regularly functioning on no more than 90 minutes of unbroken sleep. It will get better, it’s only for a season (a very short one when it’s your second).

GreatGateauxsby · 30/12/2023 06:52

There isn't much to be done other than:

Cosleep.
Consider combi feeding /expressed milk at night once supply is established.
Walks in the day to help baby with circadian rhythms.
Your DH sorts your toddler in the mornings and You rest.

Paid for solves:
Night nannies
Put toddler in paid childcare in the day

LapinR0se · 30/12/2023 06:54

Is your baby properly awake or kind of wriggling and grunting

DuploTrain · 30/12/2023 07:00

I’m expecting my second baby soon and am kind of dreading this so you have my full sympathies.

The only thing I can suggest is that from your OP it sounds like you’re doing a nappy change every feed (every hour)? That’s probably not necessary and is waking you both up more.

Is the baby in a blanket or a sleeping bag? I found sleeping bags really good because the baby stays in the nice warm sleeping bag while they’re being fed and then straight back into the cot staying warm. Also possible the baby is not quite warm enough if waking up so often.

Overthebow · 30/12/2023 13:49

Cindy1802 · 30/12/2023 06:36

Yes my husband is at home and gets up with the toddler in the morning, but again baby only sleeps in 30min stints so my extra sleep is still very broken.

Will your toddler be in nursery during the week? I’m in maternity leave at the moment and we have kept our toddler in nursery 3 days a week to give me a break and for her own social interaction too. I would definitely recommend doing this for everyone’s benefit!

SecondUsername4me · 30/12/2023 13:51

If they are just grumbling and grunting, ignore them. If they start to seem actually unsettled do some shhhh patting. If nothing else works, breastfeed. Don't change nappies unless they poop.

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