day time sleep??

[Mummy2Amelia]

My daughter is nearly 5 weeks old. Since she was born she has been the best night sleeper ever, she only wakes once or twice for a feed and then she is right back asleep. But for the past week or two she has not been sleeping very well at all during the day, she will have 10-15mins here and there but no long day sleep, so with her only having 10-15 mins here and there I don't get much done at all. I don't have time to myself either so I look a mess until my partner gets home from work and I can have a shower, etc.. When she is awake during the day she requires my attention the entire time. I place her down in her swing, bouncer, play gym, or the lounge and she will lay there for about 2 minutes and get cranky because i'm not holding her. Does anyone out there have any techniques I could try to help her sleep longer during the day? but not something that will interrupt her night sleep? I guess I am lucky that she is a good night sleeper. Also if anyone could help me out about her wanting to be held when she is awake would be greatly appreciated. Thank you

[Mummy2Amelia]

Thank you so much for your advice. During the day she doesn't sleep upstairs in her bassinet as it is just too hot so I have her down here where there are fans. I have been trying all different places to let her sleep during the day...We have a battery operated swing (fisher price one), a bouncer, a play gym and i have even tried her on the lounge and on the floor on a rug but she just doesnt settle for very long. I don't know if she has reflux or not as my doctor said it's normal for newborns to vomit some of their milk back up. She does be sick but not at every feed. At the moment she is on S-26 gold, i did have her on plain s-26 for the first month of her life until i discovered the gold one. I'm not sure if this has anything to do with her sleeping. Does it seem like I should try a different brand of formula? I don't usually burp her until she has had enough milk (ie. pulls away) but now I realise I should do it after every 20ml and I will start to do this and see if she will drink a full bottle (120ml) and not want a top up. She is so perfect at night time, it is just during the day she won't sleep much.

[Mummy2Amelia]

Thanks for your help.
I haven't really looked into buying a sling but it does sound useful so I think I will need to look around for one...any recommendations on a good one?? I have a bad back so that probably doesn't help lol

[Sonja]

Hi,

My dd also insists on being carried everywhere, which is made worse as she also hates the pram. we also have dogs so I would probably carry her anyway. some babies just prefer the company of their mamas than a baby-gym. so she practically lives in her Baby Bjorn. we have two - the original design and the Active design. the Active is far better as it has additional back support. this was essential for us I tend to walk long distances carrying her in it. The active model costs $190 but I have to say that of all the things we have bought it would be the best value for money as I would spend about 4 hours a day with her in it and it is remarkably more comfortable then the standard design. You might be able to get one sescond hand.

Good luck!

[maddysmama]

Hi,

I know how you feel...I have exactly the same problem! It has always taken me some time to settle DD, but in the last week she will not sleep during the day. I've tried going for a drive, walk in the pram, but they only result in a cat nap. As the day goes on she gets crankier and crankier and we cop it at the witching hour!

Like you, my DD is only happy when being held and will only last a few minutes when not in my arms and as I am in the process of moving house it's sooo hard to get anything done. Today I went and bought a sling from a lady who makes them on brisbane north side. I haven't had a chance to test it out, but it is made from a mesh material that seems more suitable for our climate and she's reasonably priced too ($40). Her web site is www.keltorrdesigns.com

Good luck and let me know if you find a solution! :D

[JorBai]

Hi everyone,

I have this problem too. Tamara, sounds like our bubs are very similar as I also read you bf and ff threads.

Bailey wont sleep during the day and like you I have to sleep him down stairs during the day as it is to hot upstairs ( live on the gold coast)

Does anyone know if this is the problem..sleeping your baby downsairs during the day in not complete darkness and then upstairs at night in darkness. Is bub confused and thinks he/she only sleeps at night??? I know that sounds strange but having tried everything from changing formulas and taking him in the car or pram it seems like it may be the cause. Although sometimes I think the good sleeping at night comes with bub having little to no sleep during the day.


Good Luck Tamara, and just think when you are tearing your hair out because you cant get anything done during the day, think of me. I am in the same boat!!! haha!:D

[AM]

Have you thought about using a sling?
I had a really great mesh ring sling, and my son used to just curl up on me in the fetal position, and snooze, or feed if he wanted to.

I have to comment on the baby bjorn and similar carriers, they really are not the best for a newborn, as they use a saddle type of arrangement, which puts a lot of pressure on the spine, and can affect circulation in arms and legs.
They put baby into a pretty unnatural position in my opinion.