Night time routines for 2 mth olds - is it possible and what helped you?

[cmm]

Hi there - our little girl is 9 weeks old. From about 5 weeks we introduced a bath, change and feed routine before bed (start at 7.00 pm) this seemed to work quite well, she was a little grizzly but then went off and slept more or less for about 3-4 hours. We never said we'd use a dummy but we introduced this too because she has had colic and it seems to help her with the sucking and soothing (a midwife said that she was using my bb's as a dummy!). However, she is now finding it really hard to settle after feeds - she is really active and mostly irritable cry rather than painful cry - any tips that you found helped get sleep routines established. I appreciate she is really young, I am just caught between people saying leave her to cry a bit, to others saying that she is too young - I just want what's best for my little one!!!! (if that means more attention at this stage then that's fine) she's such a sweetie, it's just that the lack of sleep during the day and night is exhausting!!!!!; I guess that's welcome to motherhood. I am breastfeeding and feed usually at about 7.30ish, 11ish and then twice through the night. Thanks for your help in advance!

[Sophiev73]

Sounds to me like you're doing fine for establishing a routine - my ds1 was a demon and would never settle but ds2 (4 months) goes down in his cot and gurgles himself to sleep every night on the dot. They have times when they're up for it and times when they're not IMO so I'd say stick at whet you're doing - it'll come good again soon!

[wrinklytum]

Hi there.Sounds like youre doing fine.9 weeks is still little.At this stage both mine were waking every 3 hours to feed.In the early weeks I think you have to go with the baby and their needs.As they get bigger they gradually feed less and get into a less tiring routine and sleep more.If I remember rightly they also have a growth spurt at round this stage and seem to guzzle forever.

I know it is terribly exhausting so would suggest you put your feet up at every available opportunity and forget the housework for a few weeks and just concentrate on your little one,keep your food and fluids intake up and enjoy the time with your baby.It does get better I promise!!!