I am a new first time Mum, my gorgeous boy Z is nearly 4 weeks old. I need real life stories about how well your new borns slept in the day (to keep me sane!) - I feel I must be doing something wrong!
I have upset/confused myself by reading (Baby Whisperer, and looking on internet) and I feel guilty letting Z cry, but I cannot stick with the B.W. Shh/Pat method as I get too frustrated and have to leave the room. I am breastfeeding, and have more or less been keeping to the BW E.A.S.Y routine - feeding every 2 1/2 - 3 hours, but struggle with getting Z to take naps.
Some days he goes down easily for all his naps, other days he will not sleep at all in the day, except for in his swing chair, in my arms or in the sling (which hurts my back after 20 mins! Also no good if I stay still)On these days I feel panicked as I have read how crucial naps are. My H.V. says not to worry if he doesn't nap, but he gets overtired and then cries, and his eyes are all red.
I thought babies would just fall asleep when they are tired, but some days he is so tired, his eyes close, but keep opening again and after about 20 mins he starts to scream.
I asked my friend, whose little boy is now 2, but she said he didn't cry! I don't remember my Mum (who has 6 kids), struggling to get babies off to sleep in the daytime either, but she said it's too long ago for her to remember.
Is this a common problem? Please please share your experiences with me so I can not feel so isolated! Thank you.