Bedtime 7wk old

[zcos]

When my 7 wk DD was born and for weeks after her days and nights were tipsy turvy that has gradually got better but trying to put her to sleep is v difficult.

We go up to bed at 10pm as we bath at 7ish and she is wide awake from that time and then eating after. she eats from 8pm until 10pm we then go upstairs and she is bfeeding again til she eventually stays down in her Moses basket and falls asleep which is any time between 11.30-2am. Not sure what to do.
Last night tried putting her down at 8pm in Moses but she didn't sleep and kept building up to crying... What can I try or should I let her do what she wants- at least when she is on the breast me and the DH can spend peaceful time watching TV.
Thanks in advance... Sorry this is so long!

[JiltedJohnsJulie]

Most parents just do what you are doing at this age. She's still tiny and its normal for her to want to be with you. Lots of feeding in the evening is also normal. Have a read here.

I'd just keep her with you. If you want to try a get some more rest, have you tried feeding her lying down? You might find this interesting.

It will get better, as she gets older she will start to distinguish day from night. At this age she probably still doesn't realise that you are two separate people. Getting her outside in the day (when you can) will help her, and keeping things busy and bright in the day and dark and quiet at night.

At this age though I just did the bath at about 8 and kept them with me until I went to bed. The recommendation is to have them with you while they sleep until 6 months anyway.

You might like 31 ways to get your baby to sleep and this book

[zcos]

Thank you so much
When I had my 6 week check up I explained to doc how she was on me for hours and didn't sleep til early hours... And that I thought she still didn't know day from night, doc said that she should do by now... But I read today that doesn't kick in until 3 months!
I don't understand sleeping with baby next to you for 6 months thingy...if I am asleep too I couldn't tell if anything is wrong?

[JiltedJohnsJulie]

Don't think they have worked out why it reduces the SIDS risk yet but they know it does. They think it might be something to do with your breathing regulating their breathing and hormones, or the fact that you may stir more easily and check on your baby more often, but like I say, they're not really sure yet.

Your GP is obviously talking bollocks too. Your baby is normal

There is some good information on normal infant sleep here

Do you go to a bfing support group too or even your local nct group? I found them good for having a cuppa and a chat and sometimes just realising that what's going on us normal and you're doing everything right

[zcos]

Yeah am member of local bf group ... I went twice when dd was a bump but only once since cos of Christmas and now snow!
Lots of the babies there are much older though - nine months but do enjoy it.
Read a lot of the things you have posted already but it's very reassuring will carry on in same vain maybe go up to darker bedroom at 9 instead of 10 and perhaps she will go off that much earlier. Have ipad and smart phones so not like I have to sit in the dark hoping she will finish eating so I can try to put her down.

[JiltedJohnsJulie]

I didn't bother with that, but its worth a try if you want to. I just stayed downstairs and chatted to DH until I was ready for bed, then took them up.

[DoItToJulia]

Hello!

My 10 week old baby is the same! Except we do get him in his crib by 10 or 11 now. I feed most of the evening lying down as I have an older DC who is 7, so at his bedtime we come up to my bed and the three of us watch the bake off or something while I feed. DH is usually downstairs washing up etc.

Just hang on in there! It will get better!

[Doretaball]

Both my girls were exactly the same. With Dd1 I persevered with trying to put her down upstairs. I spent about 2 weeks worth of evenings running up and down the stairs, feeding, cuddling, winding etc and then she just got it and would go down beautifully at 7 and stay alseep til about 1. She was 8 or 9 weeks old.

With dd2, I just enjoyed all the evening cuddles and feeds and watched a lot if tv! Gradually, she started to fall asleep earlier and earlier and by 12 weeks she was asleep by 9 on me, so I decided to put her to bed the next night. Feeding was all done by 8 and she went down beautifully.

I think dd2 was just ready then. Wish I'd been a bit more relaxed with dd1, I clearly pushed it too early with her ( but we were obsessed with getting a bedtime routine sorted) and it did work eventually but it wasn't fun and it was hard work for me for those 14 nights. Doesn't sound long now but at the time it was a nightmare.

Good luck with what ever you choose to do. You will get your evenings back eventually!!

[zcos]

Just to.update incase anyone is looking at this but no change yet week 8 next week ... much more chilled now and feel I have ideas to try when we are both ready ... good to have back up plan but not going to start really implementing things until she is 12 weeks and a lot can happen in that time.

[JiltedJohnsJulie]

So glad you are feeling more relaxed and have got a plan

[Pobblewhohasnotoes]

They say baby should have all sleeps in the same room as you until six months as it reduces the risk of cot death by 70%. This includes day time naps.

It's so that babies don't fall into a deep sleep and forget to breath. People put babies in their own room and then claim they sleep better. The whole point of keeping them in with you is that they don't fall into a deep sleep, plus it helps regulate their breathing.

[Pobblewhohasnotoes]

*breathe.

If you look at the SIDS website there is plenty of info on how to help prevent cot death, such as keeping them in the same room as you, where to put them in the bed, co-sleeping etc.

You'll get there, babies can take a whole to get used to night and day. It's too soon for a routine, just sleep when your LO does. She'll get there.

[brightstars1]

I'm struggling with this problem too except my baby is 5 weeks. He seems to have day and night the wrong way round! Lol,. and at night he doesn't like being put down in his Moses basket! I'm not sure what to do..

[zcos]

brightstars1 thing I have learnt in the past week or so dd now 8wks and 3 days ... is not to sweat it don't try and force a routine let baby sleep where and when they will I keep my mornings free now cos dd is sleepy until midday so I just feed her put her back down and try and sleep myself ... it will get better and better with yours as it did with mine 5 weeks is growth spurt time though so babies turn to Velcro babies ... check out wonder weeks that's quite interesting- you can read most of it for free with free sample on amazon - the relevant chapters to you now.

[Contradictionincarnate]

just to update dd is 11 weeks today she still goes to sleep 11ish but sleeps til 6/7am a lot of nights has a feed and then goes back until 11am. would still be better if she went to sleep at 8pm or even 9 but for now its ok I'm not missing out on any sleep will give it a few weeks more (like 6) and see where I am then.