Could I do any more?

HanFTM · 2024-10-22T08:15:00+00:00

I have a beautiful 2.5 week old. He is so content and sleeps well during the day (naps anything between 1.5-3hours). During the night, he will wake from around 11pm-2/3am. We have black our curtains, red night light, white noise in our bedroom. He has a Snuzpod next to our bed. He is BF and I express too so my DH can feed in the night. Last night, DC was awake from 11pm-2:45am. I changed him, fed him (he threw a lot of it up!), rocked and shh'd for what felt like forever. He went down in his Snuzpod for about 30 mins and was up again. My DH and I do shifts, but I'm struggling to sleep while my DH looks after DC. I know this won't last forever, but sleep deprivation is getting my down and making me feel like I'm failing as a first time mum.

Stormyweatheroutthere · 22/10/2024 09:17

Why so many props? Maybe he needs quiet to sleep!!??

Original poster

HanFTM · 22/10/2024 09:19

Stormyweatheroutthere · 22/10/2024 09:17

Why so many props? Maybe he needs quiet to sleep!!??

Props? White noise and red night light? It's just one prop that I've read can help sleep and his Snuzpod for him to sleep in.
Might be worth trying a quiet room I suppose

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Entertainmentcentral · 22/10/2024 09:21

It sounds like you're doing everything well. When is his lash nap of the day and has he regained his birth weight? Do you have him up at 7 regardless?

SJM1988 · 22/10/2024 09:23

2.5 week old don' know the difference between night and day.
I'd say that was a pretty good sleeping pattern at the moment. Mine were awake every 1-2 hours throughout the night at that age.
Its hard but it does get better as they get older.

Original poster

HanFTM · 22/10/2024 09:23

Entertainmentcentral · 22/10/2024 09:21

It sounds like you're doing everything well. When is his lash nap of the day and has he regained his birth weight? Do you have him up at 7 regardless?

Thank you 😊
His last nap is quite late on ... 8-10pm. Could making this earlier help?
We get him up at around 7am for a change and feed, then he will sleep well of a morning

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Original poster

HanFTM · 22/10/2024 09:25

SJM1988 · 22/10/2024 09:23

2.5 week old don' know the difference between night and day.
I'd say that was a pretty good sleeping pattern at the moment. Mine were awake every 1-2 hours throughout the night at that age.
Its hard but it does get better as they get older.

Our DC is up every hour or too after 3am too. He seems to really not want to sleep at night at all! I'm getting about 2-4 hours of broken sleep a night

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Brightandbreezey · 22/10/2024 11:42

I know this doesn’t sound very helpful but honestly just trying to support him with his sleep (like you are doing) is enough… so rocking, soothing, singing, feeding is all good stuff!!
Your baby is tiny, he has no idea what is going on. Is used to being in your belly and the outside world is just weird. You and your partner are his safe space, just being there is enough.
with regards to not sleeping when your partner is doing a shift. Have you got another sleeping space at all? Spare room? Or could your partner take DC downstairs? Have you got a Moses basket he could sleep in downstairs? I used to do most of the nights and then at about 5am, my partner would take our DD in a sling and she would sleep for another 2-3 hours. I’d sleep then. Partner would potter about and tidy up/make food whilst little one slept soundly. It was a life saver!!
At this age it’s just doing what you can to get through… don’t worry about routines just yet. If your baby is tired let him sleep (I would disagree with the up at 7am at this age personally but each to their own!)
Good luck… remember baby sleep isn’t linear. It gradually gets better but you get set backs too. I’d recommend looking up Lynsey Hookway on Instagram for great information and advice on baby sleep. Normalises a lot of baby sleep behaviours that our society has made us believe is wrong.
Hope you can get some rest!

Original poster

HanFTM · 22/10/2024 12:13

Brightandbreezey · 22/10/2024 11:42

I know this doesn’t sound very helpful but honestly just trying to support him with his sleep (like you are doing) is enough… so rocking, soothing, singing, feeding is all good stuff!!
Your baby is tiny, he has no idea what is going on. Is used to being in your belly and the outside world is just weird. You and your partner are his safe space, just being there is enough.
with regards to not sleeping when your partner is doing a shift. Have you got another sleeping space at all? Spare room? Or could your partner take DC downstairs? Have you got a Moses basket he could sleep in downstairs? I used to do most of the nights and then at about 5am, my partner would take our DD in a sling and she would sleep for another 2-3 hours. I’d sleep then. Partner would potter about and tidy up/make food whilst little one slept soundly. It was a life saver!!
At this age it’s just doing what you can to get through… don’t worry about routines just yet. If your baby is tired let him sleep (I would disagree with the up at 7am at this age personally but each to their own!)
Good luck… remember baby sleep isn’t linear. It gradually gets better but you get set backs too. I’d recommend looking up Lynsey Hookway on Instagram for great information and advice on baby sleep. Normalises a lot of baby sleep behaviours that our society has made us believe is wrong.
Hope you can get some rest!

Edited

This is so reassuring, thank you so much. I know I just need to push through this stage. When I'm less sleep deprived. I'm sure it won't feel as bad at all. ❤️

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Brightandbreezey · 22/10/2024 12:26

You’re welcome!! Honestly you are not failing at anything, in fact doing what you’re doing is amazing and just what your baby needs!
Another option is cosleeping… not for everyone but it honestly saved my sanity!! I learnt to breast feed on my side and snoozed through baby feeding.
Look up lullaby trust guidelines and safe sleep 7. Your partner won’t be able to sleep in the bed though (not until at least 4 months). But may be something to think about if things get really tough!
It’s tough but it will get better!

Original poster

HanFTM · 22/10/2024 12:28

Brightandbreezey · 22/10/2024 12:26

You’re welcome!! Honestly you are not failing at anything, in fact doing what you’re doing is amazing and just what your baby needs!
Another option is cosleeping… not for everyone but it honestly saved my sanity!! I learnt to breast feed on my side and snoozed through baby feeding.
Look up lullaby trust guidelines and safe sleep 7. Your partner won’t be able to sleep in the bed though (not until at least 4 months). But may be something to think about if things get really tough!
It’s tough but it will get better!

Yes, I think I'll definitely be looking into co-sleeping after 2 weeks of very broken sleep for myself, baby and husband. It's something I've been scared of because of everything you learn in antenatal classes and from HVs etc, but it's needs must isn't it

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Brightandbreezey · 22/10/2024 12:38

There is so much misinformation out there about cosleeping. I honestly was quite against it until I had my baby. And then it all just felt so normal and natural. Yes the first few nights were scary but it soon felt right to me.
if you’re nervous have a look at some alternative research… McKenna is very good. Also cosleepy and happycosleeper on Instagram have some great resources and information.
Cosleeping is practiced and completely normal in other countries… apparently Japan has the lowest SIDs rating and cosleeping is common practice.
I’m having twins in the new year and I’m researching how to cosleep safely with them at the moment!

Original poster

HanFTM · 22/10/2024 12:43

Brightandbreezey · 22/10/2024 12:38

There is so much misinformation out there about cosleeping. I honestly was quite against it until I had my baby. And then it all just felt so normal and natural. Yes the first few nights were scary but it soon felt right to me.
if you’re nervous have a look at some alternative research… McKenna is very good. Also cosleepy and happycosleeper on Instagram have some great resources and information.
Cosleeping is practiced and completely normal in other countries… apparently Japan has the lowest SIDs rating and cosleeping is common practice.
I’m having twins in the new year and I’m researching how to cosleep safely with them at the moment!

You are a fountain of knowledge and comfort - again, thank you so much!
I'll have a look on instagram at the pages you've recommended and talk to my husband about co-sleeping.
Congrats on your twins!! You're a brave lady 😂

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Brightandbreezey · 22/10/2024 12:50

No worries… I just was so nervous (and knackered) too at this stage and I know how it feels.
Thank you! Yeah it’s going to be challenging (we will have 3 under 2 for a short while!) but we’ll cope I’m sure!
Good luck to you too, whatever you choose to do I hope it works out for you!