Hi all,
Just wanted to know what the sleeping pattern of your babies are/were?
Mine wakes up every 2 hours at night, she’ll take an ounce & a half to two ounces per feed and wake up two hours later for the same. Now looking online n talking to some other parents, I’ve come to know that some babies will sleep for 4-5 hours in one go, waking up only once at night if that. I appreciate that it maybe because they are feeding more in one go but I wanted to know if any of you have any tips on how I can make my baby sleep for longer at night? Someone suggested just trying to put her back to sleep with a dummy or feeding her water( I do feel evil when i think doing this and I’m not sure I want to deprive her of milk but then hubby seems to think she.ll feed more at the next feed if I try to eliminate the middle feed). my mum had a complete go at me for even considering this…but I am so sleep deprived and have to stay awake the whole day too I need some help…
And does it all really get better after 3 months, ATM ppl r saying that pretty much anything And everything problematic that she’s going through now will get better once she hits the month Mark, like tummy gas pains, sleeping patterns etc. Is this true in your experience?
Re: Sleeping pattern of 5 week old baby? And is 3 months really when it all gets bett
Hi CW, yes it's quiet normal for newborns to wake up every 2 hours since their tummy's are so tiny and can get hungry very soon again, a lot of people were telling me to give her water but my doctor suggested that I only do that once she hits the '10 lbs' mark, which still I couldn't make myself do, I just felt selfish, I couldn't even explain it to my husband, such a weird time it was filled with so many emotions, but anyway first 2 months are going to be very tough especially at nights, I was desperately trying to set a routine, since I already had a 15 month old as well before her, I used to cry and get so frustrated but it does get better, just hang in there and try to rest as much as you can during the day to makeup for nights, what I did was I limited anything around the house so I can get rest and only take care of the babies, hire help if you can (it's times like these when you can really use a maid), and for 2 months, I only cooked for my older one, i.e pasta/chicken, anything that wouldn't take forever to make, and for us we would order food every friday for the entire next week, that's how I got through my last summer, trust me it feels like it'll never get better but it does :)
Re: Sleeping pattern of 5 week old baby? And is 3 months really when it all gets bett
breastmilk also digests much quicker so they wake up more often. having said that, my kid was formula fed and he still woke up every 2 hours initially. its only now, that a week shy of his 4th month mA, that he's sleeping longer and waiting longer between feeds. each kid progresses differently. mine will usually do 3 hours between feeds during the day and he'll go up to 4 sometimes at night. sometimes he'll still take it every 2 hours though so he's clearly in transition. their sleep patterns can't really be predicted or controlled right now, they're too little, but like pinks said, it feels like it will be this way forever but it will get better :)
pinks, my paed told me i shouldn't be giving him water on top of formula because a) its not like he can drink the water himself so you'd still be feeding him so whats the point, and b) formula is mixed in water anyway, so there's not that much difference. i only ever give him an ounce of warm water mixed with a tbsp of gripe water if he's constipated. that works like a charm, btw. and i know EXACTLY what you mean about the first couple of months and the weird, hormonally imbalanced state you're in... emotions everywhere!
Re: Sleeping pattern of 5 week old baby? And is 3 months really when it all gets bett
SGC, I totally agree, If you have to wake up to give the baby something to drink why not formula! now I know why it's said 'maa kay paoun key neechay janat hai' :)
Re: Sleeping pattern of 5 week old baby? And is 3 months really when it all gets bett
every baby is different. mine is 6wks old and except for the first two weeks where she woke every 2 hrs … she sleeps 4’-5 hrs at a time with approx 3’-4 oz of feeds (breast milk +formula). I did nothing to bring about any change in her schedules … she is too little for that.
I don’t think there is anything to be done at this young age to make them sleep longer or feed more or less. I don’t think you should give her water at all. babies can not regulate their electrolyte balance (as adults can) and persistent plain old water use can/does/will cause electrolyte imbalance leading to issues such as seizures etc … this is a well known/studied scenario seen in poverty stricken parents who consistently overly dilute (beyond whats recommended for the formula box) the babys’- formula with water or just gave them plain water to cut back on formula use. 
… life can be tough for some ppl
As an ER Doc I’-ve personally seen several such cases and infants outcomes have varied from anoxic brain injury to no harm … depending on how wacked out their electrolytes were …
I also see loads of moms in tears for “_baby wont sleep or wont stop crying5” and been there myself (though luckily a shorter duration then most) … and all I can say is hang in there … it does get better.
meanwhile:
nap/sleep during5 the day along5 with baby
ask family friends husband for help
look into gentle stretching exercises for yourself that can be done while you are sitting in chair or bed … to release tension from your neck, shoulders, back. it really helps with managing fatigue.
hydrate yourself well and keep yourself well fed … (I had an awful loss of appetite after and i’-m not a drinker to ein with and the two lapses together caused me milk supply issues i’-m still struggling with … )
cry when u feel the urge … its likely hormonal and a little cry never hurt anyone
Re: Sleeping pattern of 5 week old baby? And is 3 months really when it all gets bett
I was you about a month and a half ago, only double the work because I had twins. I didn't skip any feeding until they were at least 3 months. But now, I have figured out a routine that works for both of them. During the day, I feed them every three hours. Around 10ish pm, I give them a warm bath, feed them, and put them to sleep. Bathing relaxes their bodies and makes them drowsy, they drink their milk without a fuss. By 11 pm they are both asleep. Then they both wake up anywhere between 4-6 am. Sometimes, I have to wake them up for feeding. Life has gotten a bit easier.
So, try giving your baby a warm bath at night. Also, gradually increase her intake to at least 3+ oz. She's bound to wake up every two hours because she's hungry.