7 week old - a typical (?) day...

[Mummysaysno]

Just wondering if any other Mums of babies around 7 weeks could share what baby is up to feeding/sleeping wise...
This is DC4, but cannot remember with the others...baby seems to sleep a lot in the day (in the sling) but at night is now waking for a feed at around 1am, unsettled till about 2am, the awake again at 4am, and with 3 other children on school holidays I'm so so tired.
Daytimes..baby will have 10 minutes a couple of times a day happy in the rocker chair, but the rest of the time is either feeding or in the sling. (Or crying!)
Anyone else with similar age could share how the days and nights are working out?

[JiltedJohnsJulie]

Not got a newborn anymore but I'd say that sounds normal

Hopefully this will bump and you'll get a few more responses

[galwaygirl]

Hi, DS is nearly 6 weeks and sounds the same! The nights are tough aren't they x

[Mummysaysno]

I'd googled this, and came across a woman who had baby in a routine...down at 7pm, one feed at night and awake at 7am...established waking/sleeping/playing times in the day, and felt like I was doing it all wrong!

[JiltedJohnsJulie]

You're not doing anything wrong at all. The trouble with books and parenting experts that advocate a routine is that if your baby won't comply, you can be left feeling at fault. Lots of these books are not based on any evidence and are often written by people who are untrained or may never have had a baby themselves.

If you do want a book that gives you the confidence to find your own way, try Babycalming by Caroline Deacon. Your library may have a copy.

Enjoy your lovely newborn cuddles and have confidence in what you are doing, its sounds just perfect to me

[Reiltin]

At least she's sleeping during the day! My 6wo had a bit of a night routine (by chance, not imposed) but it's disappeared this last week. Hardly any sleep! I do my best not to worry that I'm doing it wrong :/

[Mummysaysno]

Reiltin...that's what happened here...nights were quite good, then the last week or so baby is much less settled at night! Argh!

[Mummysaysno]

Jilted...will take a look at baby calming...will probably fall asleep reading...still trying to watch the final episode of the apprentice, but keep falling asleep!

[Mutley77]

My almost six week old is v similar. I am hoping for an improvement at 8 weeks or if not 12! I have 2 other dc so feel your pain at the bad nights although am finding days good as I can focus on them while baby is sleeping so much or in carrier.

[ditsydoll]

Ds is 7 weeks today and exactly the same although last night I got a 4 hour block of sleep and I feel like a new woman today (except 4yo Dd having a nightmare of a tantrum over flies at 8 thismorning)

[joanna0211marie]

Sometimes my de aged just under 7 weeks can sleep through most of the day, with feeds and nappy changes obviously, gas a really awake period around 5-6 o'clockish for a couple of hours so I give her a bath after we've had a good bit of playful interacting I give her a bath before shes too tired which she always really enjoys, and then after her bath I give her a bottle and then she sleeps from about 9:30 till 1 ish, then at 4ish and then at 7ish! I dont know anything about being a parent and don't know much about sleep, I just think at that age if she wants to sleep theres nothing I can do! Im not gonna wear her out to suit me and I always thought it was fod even for ff? And then somedays shes awake ALL DAY and will only go to sleep if I take her out in the pram, car etc and then struggles to go to sleep at night! She doesn't finish full 4oz bottles either she just drinks bit by bit during tge day and at night, but she pees and poops well, must go through about 12 bottles in day! Only drinking 2 or 3 oz at a time! Tempted to buy a book but im scared it will quash me as a mother...argh!!!!!

[joanna0211marie]

De lol......Dd

[ditsydoll]

I bought a book with dd and it was useful re guidelines etc but I never used it as a parenting technique.
Iv always just done what comes naturally and now with a 4.5 yo dd and a 7 week old ds we just go with the flow.
Don't put too much pressure on yourself. I have always been a take my babies everywhere in a sling/ carrier and I let them stay with me for as long as they like. Dd was in my room and breastfed until almost 2 and she is now happily in her own room all night and we've had no sleep issues.
Ds is just so tiny I just go with whatever he wants but he's breastfed on demand so I suppose there's not much else I could do!

[joanna0211marie]

Im really struggling with putting my baby in a sling, I bought a babasling thinking they looked easier than a wrap but I haven't used it yet coz I've tried putting her in but she looks uncomfortable, she's a very long baby though at 7 weeks shes already in 3-6 month clothes, I think it would be easier if she was smaller.

[JiltedJohnsJulie]

Is there a slingmeet near you joanna? They may be able to help you find a comfortable position?

[Mutley77]

I have tried various slings, carriers etc with my older DC and never got on with either of them. Using a Baby Bjorn for DD (6 weeks) and it is great, can wear it in and out of the house and have no trouble with her sleeping or awake and I can get things done etc. However this time I am most desperate as she is my most unsettled baby - aaaaaaahhhhhhhh

[joanna0211marie]

I've not heard of slingmeets, I showed my hv the sling and she never mentioned anything about them, nor offered to help! Im in the York area so I'll check online

[JiltedJohnsJulie]

Try [[http://www.yorkparents.co.uk/york-sling-library here]

[JiltedJohnsJulie]

Whoops here

[Mummysaysno]

Ooooh so jealous of you ladies in UK with so many excellent resources!!!

My baby will only go in sling (baby bjorn) and cries in the buggy!!! Handy because slings are much more convenient where we live...def a v snuggly baby who likes cosy-ness!!!

However, DC3 hated being snug and cosy...hated sling, hated being in the pizza oven in the back of the Phil and Teds...so that maybe your baby is similar...just likes space around them?

They just like to keep us on our toes...!!!!