Hello Mommies! I need help and I need it fast. I just had another baby 10 days ago...I have a 3 year old at home. My newborn has decided to sleep all day and be up all night. When the newborn finally goes to sleep around 6:30am, my 3 year is ready to get up and basically I've had NO SLEEP! I'm sure you've all heard this before and I'm not the only one to experience this. Please help with any suggestions for what I can do to either get through this rough part or to somehow help my newborn to sleep at night instead of during the day.
Anything you have to offer would be GREATLY appreciated!
Thanks,
M. C (Sleepless in Elmhurst) :)
Read "Healthy Sleep Habits, Happy Child" by Dr. Marc Weisbluth. We got immediate results on the first day!
I remember the first month was awful regarding sleeping. Things improved during the 2nd month. Right now your goal with the baby is to feed her on demand (approx. every 2-3hr, 2 if you are breastfeeding so you can build up your supply) and ENJOY her newbornhood - she'll grow up before your eyes, which you saw with your first! Sleep at that stage is an added bonus for you, but it will come. :)
As for the oldest, is there anyone who can help you out during the day with her, or take her to any fun activities (maybe a tots class at the park district or storytime at the library?).
Also, I HIGHLY recommend babywearing your newborn. By carrying her around, she will become more attuned to your family's rhythms, being more alert during the day & sleepy during the night. For help finding a baby carrier that would work with your needs, read the forums on www.thebabywearer.com
HTH!
I remember these days with my child, sleeping in the recliner and watching awful TV at 4:00 am because he wouldn't sleep. They were the worst!
We started totally overemphasizing 'day' and 'night'. Although it was February, when it was daytime, we would open up all the curtains and turn on all the lights in the house, simulating daytime the best we could. When it was nighttime, we'd do the opposite and turn out all the lights, turn down the tv or even turn it off, and try to recreate night. We would do something similar at nap time.
Despite what others may tell you, you can start initiating some sort of schedule. It won't be written in stone and you will need to be flexible, but you definitely can begin. Again, you are teaching your child routines/patterns, and the expectation they have of these routines will help lessen their anxiety because they know what to expect.
Someone on this board gave great advice about a 'schedule'. Basically it goes something like eat, play, sleep. When your baby wakes, feed her then play with her but no more than 2 hours of wakefulness. Then start your nap time soothing routine. I will also suggest you read "Healthy Sleep Habits, Happy Child" by Dr. Marc Weissbluth, as it would be a good starting point.
Although it might not seem like it is working at first, get going on your bedtime/nap time routines. This will totally help in the long run because when you start up the routine at later ages, the child will have associated the actions with going to sleep. Decide what your bedtime/nap time routine will be and stick to it. It took a while for our baby to catch on, but we are now totally reaping the benefits because for naps he goes in his crib wide awake and falls asleep on his own without a fuss. At night, after the bedtime routine and the bottle he doesn't even want to cuddle for long(yes, that makes me sad but his need to sleep is more important than my selfish want to cuddle my baby) because he wants to get in his bed, roll over, crawl to his 'sleeping spot' and go to sleep.
Hi M.,
Unfortuately I don't have any words of wisdom as far as getting the new little one to sleep through the night. Until six weeks, they really need to be fed on demand. You can give your little one some hints though by always doing the night feedings with as little drama as possible. When she gets up, pick her up and feed her with the lights out, change her as lightly as possible only as needed. Don't do alot of talking or playing during the night. Basically, feed/burp/change and back to bed. After awhile they get the idea that it is nightime. My other suggestion was to ask if there is any possible way for you to get a little help? If you are formula feeding then how about getting a trusted friend or family member to come over at night and get up for feedings while you sleep. They also have night nurses that you can hire for this. Or if breastfeeding and you have to get up with baby, how about someone to come over a couple hourse in the mornings to get up with your 3yr old and play with her or take her out to the park. Friends, grandmas, local college student....most of the time people are more than willing to lend a hand, but you have to relent and ask for the help. Good Luck.
