newborn day vs night
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Forum Name: First baby? Second or more?
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Topic: newborn day vs night
Posted By: happymumma
Subject: newborn day vs night
Date Posted: 04 January 2010 at 1:11pm
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Okay so I'm probably being a little anbitious but at 10 days old Stella seems to have her nights and days a little confused. She is very hard to settle throughout the morning and seems to want to cluster feed. She sleeps beautifully from afternoon onwards and then struggles (along with her very sleep deprived parents) by about 3am when she just wants to be up and playing again.
I know it takes time and she is very little, but any suggestions as to how to help her out would be gratefully received. I'm trying to keep night feeds / nappy changes calm and dark and day time nice and bright and chatty but so far it's not having much effect. Am I hoping for too much from her just yet?!? I'm finding the mornings hard going with her needing endless cuddles and feeding as well as trying to keep Ollie fed and watered etc. |
Replies:
Posted By: weegee
Date Posted: 04 January 2010 at 1:34pm
 sounds tough! Congratulations on Stella's safe arrival! As far as I can tell you're doing everything right, might be a plan for now to wear her in something that leaves you hands free (a wrap of some sort?) and that you can breastfeed in so she gets the cuddles she seems to need and you can still deal with Ollie? I'm sure it will come right soon  How's Ollie adjusting?------------- 
Mum to JJ, 4 July 2008 & Addie, 28 July 2010 |
Posted By: weegee
Date Posted: 04 January 2010 at 1:35pm
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Oh and how long does she sleep for in the afternoons? I have always been in the 'don't wake a baby' camp but now that I know a bit more I would probably wake her for a feed if she's gone for 3 hours, so she gets the calories she needs then and not in the wee hours of the morning -------------
Mum to JJ, 4 July 2008 & Addie, 28 July 2010 |
Posted By: weegee
Date Posted: 04 January 2010 at 2:11pm
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Sorry to serial post, but just had another thought after going and answering Renee's post. If it's mainly the mornings she's fussy after her longer sleep period, it could be that she's complaining cos your letdown might be that much faster after having had a bit of a break. You could try positioning her more upright or try to feed her lying down in the mornings until she adjusts and/or until your letdown settles down a bit...? -------------
Mum to JJ, 4 July 2008 & Addie, 28 July 2010 |
Posted By: HippyMama
Date Posted: 04 January 2010 at 3:11pm
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After only ten days she is very much still adjusting to being out in the world instead of tucked up in your tummy, but I second weegee's suggestion of trying a wrap or sling that would leave you hands free to deal with your older boy - I found mine absolutely invaluable and still do, especially since my big girl started kindy when DD2 was only 6 days old.
I also second the waking after three hours in the day thing, well, at least in the sense that it is something I do anyway and it seems to work out... I can't say I'd ever want to try not doing it though as I'm really happy with our night time sleeping at the moment. It is definitely challenging to adjust to the longer periods of having to sit down and feed and be involved so intensively with their needs, and when there is another child to tend to as well. Have you got support from friends and family at all? I found that this was another critical thing for me to have in place, when my DH went back to work I had a helper from Pepsicles come three days a week (www.pepsicles.co.nz) and my mum was around too. I also wonder whether you would consider co-sleeping for a while? I know it's not everyone's cup of tea, and I personally don't do it on a regular basis, but sometimes I find it handy when DD2 is having a growth spurt or a period where she is more needy than usual. ------------- Mama to two earth walkers & two angels. Remember, you are not managing an inconvenience; You are raising a human being. ~ Kittie Franz Next Slingbabies! Meet - Friday 4th May !! |
Posted By: happymumma
Date Posted: 06 January 2010 at 7:29pm
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Thanks for the ideas guys and thanks Weegee - I see you're not far behind us in having a second. I have to say it's been really enjoyable so far having the two of them.
I have to tell you that after chatting to the midwife it turned out to be very easy to switch her around. I just kept her awake as much as I could in the afternoon / early evening and let her feed more then so she is full before going to sleep at night. Who knows - maybe she would have done it herself - as you say HippyMama, she is so little that everything is changing daily. But...we now have a witching hour at the appropriate time rather than through the morning. |
Posted By: HippyMama
Date Posted: 06 January 2010 at 11:30pm
Excellent, glad to hear that things are working out a little more smoothy for you! Cluster feeding can sometimes feel frustrating, but it has it's advantages too  ------------- Mama to two earth walkers & two angels. Remember, you are not managing an inconvenience; You are raising a human being. ~ Kittie Franz Next Slingbabies! Meet - Friday 4th May !! |