postpartem - is anyone getting any sleep?

[oliversmum2000]

my dd had a few nights of good sleep and has spent the last 3 nights growling at me all night and falling into a deep sleep as soon as the sun comes up in the morning!

i am exhausted and having to look after everyone in the family as dh's crohns disease is getting worse and worse, poor love feels crap. he has struggled on for this long but just cannot manage anymore so i am back on duty again and knackered.

so is anyone else getting any sleep and if so how - what is working for you!

[DomerJen]

can you nurse side-lying? it's been my saving grace

[oliversmum2000]

its weird she doesnt seem to want to feed much at night, just growl and fuss. i do feed her lying down but maybe its giving her wind...

she seems to sleep better alone my older dd was like this, she never wanted to sleep with me, she would feed then arch her back and fuss until i put her in her cot on her own then she would plug in her thumb and go to sleep, if i tried to cuddle up with her she just fussed and fidgeted till i put her in her own bed, i was really hoping dd2 would be more of a night time cuddler....

[dividedsky]

i got a 4-hour stretch 2 nights ago, and it was incredible. mind-blowing. some nights are good and some are bad. all depends on if the boys are in the mood to eat at the same time or not.....

i consider a solid 2-hour stretch really fabulous nowdays!

[Conchobhar]

I've only got the one to deal with, so I do feel sorry for all you moms with older siblings to deal with as well. Saoirse sleeps for about 4 hours, then we get up to nurse and mess around for 2 hours, then she goes back to sleep for another 4 hours. We've found that swaddling her and giving her a pacifier is the only way she won't fuss through the night (I'm finding she's a HUGE comfort sucker. I try to minimize the paci during the day, when my boobs are at her whim, but at night we make the exception). I haven't been brave enough to try the side-lying position yet.

[Malva]

I'm hoping to get a bit more sleep once the baby finally gets here! I must be delusional.

[oliversmum2000]

i have worked out that dd needs to be fed at more of a slope, night time feeding was all lying down which i think gave her wind / upset tummy, last night i sat up a bit and she wet a good couple of hours between feeds and i actually got some sleep so i am feeling much better today

i cannot beliee my angel has not yet been here 2 weeks, my family feels so full of joy and happiness since she has been with us, she is amazing

[herins]

I'm glad you sound less tired already. I am so sorry your husband is struggling. Crohn's disease is just awful, and I can't imagine how hard it is making life for all of you. I hope he can feel some relief soon.

[Xiaguan]

to you! I hope that all gets calmer at your house soon~ I am tired but not like you ladies~ I am sending you all a big !

Maybe a daytime nap would help?? I know that I will lay on the couch with the baby & then put on a movie So that the 2yo stays put for a little bit~ But then I do have an older child to keep an eye in case of 'danger" LOL!

Melissa

[Devaskyla]

I was getting pretty good sleep until a couple nights ago. Ok, most of it was in most people's awake hours, but whatever. Then my mom came in to see N & I had to get up early. Totally messed up his routine & I haven't gotten a decent sleep since. Starting to feel very sleep deprived, which tends to show up as anger. Not good. Planning to go to bed early tonight to see if I can get a better night.

[faeriemom]

Zen was sleeping a 4 hour block each night, then waking up to eat and go back to sleep every 2 to 2.5 hours after that. That was wonderful. The past couple of nights though he's sleeping a lot during the day and waking every 1.5 to 2 hours at night. He does the fussing thing too...just grunting and growling and making noise most of the night. It's hard to get any sleep. I'm napping some during the day, but also have to take care of my older son and make sure we both get something to eat at various times during the day.

The problem is finding a way to wake Zen up more often during the day. He can sleep through anything! It's crazy. I'm trying to make sure he nurses every 4 hours or so....but he even does that in his sleep!

I just have to keep telling myself that this stage doesn't last long. I survived it with my oldest ds, and I can survive it this time (knock wood!).

Hope we all get a good night's sleep soon.....