5 week old - long stretches of awake time

[OpeningActOfSpring]

I have a nearly 5 week old and in the last few days she has started to be awake for longer than the ‘wake window’ for her age suggests. She can go 2-3 hours not sleeping, especially in the afternoon and early evening when she tends to cluster feed too.

I try to encourage her, soothe her, walk around etc but she fights sleep despite yawning. Just looks at me with her big blue eyes but she can get grouchy too. She might drop off in the sling but it’s incredibly warm at the moment for longer stretches in it.

At this ages, do I just follow her lead or do I need to put more effort into getting her to sleep? Last night she also didn’t want to be put down in the next to me but was happy to sleep on me.

This is not about getting her into a strict routine. I just want to make sure she’s getting enough sleep. Any advice welcome - thank you.

I drove myself barmy trying to stick to the suggested wake windows. It got much better when I relaxed and just followed her cues. Just keep offering her opportunities to sleep and, if it doesn't work out, leave it and try again in 20 minutes.

Try putting her to sleep/encouraging sleep much sooner. It took me way too long to learn that for my baby, yawning and sleep "cues" didn't start until he was already overtired.

Thank you. I might try offer her sleep earlier as I do think she’s tired and wants to sleep. Presumably at this stage sleeping anywhere is fine? Sling, contact etc?

@CommissarySushiyes I think I’m getting obsessed with it too. It just surprised me how long she was awake. How long did yours stay awake for?

Agree with this

I found going for a long walk in the buggy helped get her off if she was already overtired

I know it’s boiling right now but cooler tomorrow hopefully!!

And yes sleeping anywhere is fine. At this point the main thing is getting enough sleep into them and avoiding the overtiredness vicious circle.

Forever. Mine also had impossibly long wake windows and nothing worked to get her to nap before she wanted to.

Much better now at 8 months. Although she still has days where it's a struggle to get her to sleep.