My son is 10 days old and still has his night & day reversed. He'll sleep during the day but at night I'll spend hours trying to soothe/nurse/rock/sing him to sleep, to no avail. One night he literally only slept for a single hour between 10 pm & 7 am. I keep falling asleep with him in the rocking chair, not very safely supported on the nursing pillow, then wake up in a panic from fear of dropping him.
I've been working on introducing awake cues in the daytime (lights, music, regular voices) and with making overnights more soothing. I'm also trying to get our bed more cosleeping-friendly. He's not really liking his cosleeper, but I need to get the pillowtop mattress flipped (any of you ever done that?) and buy a bolster pillow before we can bedshare safely. I try to watch for a deep sleep state before moving him into his cosleeper or stroller, but that's not always possible when I feel like I'm on the verge of dropping him after falling asleep.
I don't expect--or want--my newborn to sleep through the night. I just also wasn't expcting to spend 5+ hours every night trying to get him to sleep for the first time. Ideas?
I've been working on introducing awake cues in the daytime (lights, music, regular voices) and with making overnights more soothing. I'm also trying to get our bed more cosleeping-friendly. He's not really liking his cosleeper, but I need to get the pillowtop mattress flipped (any of you ever done that?) and buy a bolster pillow before we can bedshare safely. I try to watch for a deep sleep state before moving him into his cosleeper or stroller, but that's not always possible when I feel like I'm on the verge of dropping him after falling asleep.
I don't expect--or want--my newborn to sleep through the night. I just also wasn't expcting to spend 5+ hours every night trying to get him to sleep for the first time. Ideas?
I know how hard this is, mama! 10 days of NO sleep will make you start to go crazy. This is why people tell you to sleep when the baby sleeps because what you are describing is what most new parents go through. As the baby grows he will start having longer of stretches of sleep. Don't fall into the trap of thinking that trying to keep him awake during the day will make him sleep better at night because it won't. Also keep him in a bright (with sunlight) room during the entire day even when he sleeps and then when it is time for him to fall asleep in the evening keep the room as dim as possible. In the morning take him outside soon after he wakes up and walk around with him in the bright morning sun. Those steps will help him get his days and nights right, but it won't work like a magic bullet. I know 10 days seems like a long time but he is still a newborn. Plan on this lasting for a little while and PLEASE sleep with him during the day. It isn't good for you or him to be tired. Take care and I hope this helps.
