Sleeping! & Routine?

[pat]

Our daughter is 5 weeks old today. It seems like she sleeps too much! She sleeps during the day, and cries during the evening from 6 to 11pm. Of course she wakes up for a feed (BF) once every 3 hours.

I am just wondering if she sleeps too much! She wakes up at around 2:30 - 3:30am then 6am!

Do you think I should cut down her sleeping and play with her?

When should I introduce a routine to her?

Thanks!

[SilverStarfish]

sleep deprivation is the pits, isn't it?

At only 5 weeks, your little princess is probably still trying to sort out the difference between night and day. You can gently start to change that by making all your night time feeds and nappy changes really slow, gentle and BORING! Keep all the singing, playing and conversation for the day time.

The 3 hourly feeds round the clock are pretty normal too - though they will start to settle down soon. A newborns tummy (I'm told) is about the size of their fist - so you can see why it seems to fill and empty so fast!

That spell of crying/unsettledness each day is sadly normal for many babies - the witching (or arsenic!) hours. Do you have a baby sling? Wearing your DD during that time might help her feel safe and secure, while at the same time freeing your arms up to keep on with life - making dinner etc.

Personally I'm not a big fan of strict routines, esp for newborns - but that's just me and my kids.

If you are looking for a book - Pinky McKay's "Sleeping Like a Baby" saved my sanity. My local library had a copy, but I loved it so much I bought it.

Try not to feel too overwhelmed. Honestly, I know it doesn't feel like it now, but this newborn phase passes so so so so fast! She'll be a demanding toddler before you know it

[mum2bubba]

Babies at that age don't really understand about day and night. You have to 'train' her. What I did with my kids was when they woke for a feed late at night or early morning, I'd feed them (still do this with Skye now), change them if neccessary and not talk to them or make it social, I'd just put them to bed straight after. I don't know if you are bottle feeding or breast feeding but I found that giving them a bigger feed at night sometimes helped them sleep longer. During the day when they were awake and having a feed I would talk to them and play with them etc so they sort of knew that when its day time its 'wake time' (unless they were having a nap). But like I said, babies at that age sleep longer, I think they NEED there sleep so let them sleep as long as they can but if you're finding she isn't sleeping well at night then just maybe try what I mentioned above. Good luck with everything.

[mum2bubba]

oops.

[Tabby]

DD slept like that too at 5 weeks. It does take some time to get them to know day from night and a good routine helps imo.
From day one I have always fed/bathed/play/fed every night as close to the same time as possible. In the beginning it may not seem to be working but your paving the way for the result at the end.

Also as already said, when you do go to her at night make it as quiet and relaxed as possible, feed/change and pop right back to bed so that in time she comes to know night from day
3 hrly feeds are not uncommon at this age but just make those night ones as above, nice and quiet.
5 weeks shes still learning her way. Hang in there it will get better xx

[HollyHotLips]

Agree with what everyone has said really.

From about 8/9 weeks my DD got into a proper day/night routine... at 10pm I change her, get her sleeping bag on, bottle, wind then bed and after a couple of nights she got used to the routine and now settles every night. It just takes them time, hang in there, it wont be long now

[mumzdaword]

Agree with what everyone has said really.

From about 8/9 weeks my DD got into a proper day/night routine... at 10pm I change her, get her sleeping bag on, bottle, wind then bed and after a couple of nights she got used to the routine and now settles every night. It just takes them time, hang in there, it wont be long now

Same here, My DD is 9wks and has been in a routine of sleeping through the night for about a week now(and im loving it) she started this routine on her own no assistance from me....

it shouldnt be too long till yours is starting to get into a routine.. if she doesnt on her own then try what the other hubbers here have said....

Good Luck