He usually feeds around 9 PM and then sleeps until midnight and then feeds again around 4 AM and then again around 8 AM. He is usually awake the rest of the morning and then takes a nap in the afternoon.
The last three nights have been pretty good. I've been getting about 5 hours (3 at one feeding and 2 at the other) sleep. I end up taking a shower around 5 AM so that my husband still has time to get ready for work. I've found that a shower helps my mood and energy level even more then coffee does. So, if getting a shower means I miss an hour of sleep, I'm ok with that.
Sometimes he can be happy staring at the ceiling fan, laying on his back, but being so young still, he has a hard time entertaining himself, so I hold him a lot so that he doesn't scream bloody murder. I do let him scream some, but after awhile I just can't take it anymore. I think it will be better once he finds his fingers.
So far I make him go, at least 3 hours, between feedings, but sometimes he's slept through that and it ends up being 4 hours between feedings. Now, I think, I'm going to try to make his eating times more uniform. What do you think?
8 comments:
don't worry - it does get better!!! remember to sleep when he does during the day :) thankfully both our boys were on the same schedule - that wouldn't have been fun otherwise!
My only thought on this is let him sleep when he's asleep. Mine nursed and with my first I (foolishly) listened to people that told me to wake him to feed. Believe me, if he's hungry, he will wake up and let you know.
I don't think Sam really cares about your spreadsheet! I'd encourage you to enjoy this time while he's so young because in a flash, he'll be in kindergarten and you'll wonder where the time went. He'll sleep through the night when he's ready!
Hi Tracey!
Oh, how exhausting are these first months!
Not sure if you've thought about checking out some of the scheduling books, or not, but we've found Babywise to be invaluable! Every child is different but I know a number of people who have had success with it! Anyway, as much as some of these books have been made out to be horrible, cry-it-out books, we were pleased to find that it was not the case once we read the book. I would be more than happy to correspond with you on Babywise should you want more info!
Let me know!
sarah10904@yahoo.com
It is definitely great once they discover their hands. My son often soothes himself back to sleep by sucking on his fingers or thumb. I never tried to impose much schedule on him when he was really little other than doing a night time routine. I definitely never woke him up for a feeding. Every baby is different, but ours eventually started sleeping longer and longer through the night, until he slept through it a little after 2 months. We also started putting some rice cereal in his bottle at some point, but I can't remember how old he was. Don't worry, you'll get there. I don't think there's any magic answer, he's just got to be ready.
Have you tried using a wrap to strap him to you during the day so you can get other things done? I have fantasies about myself cooking and cleaning and all sorts of other stuff (blogging!!!) with my one-day baby strapped to me. Am I reaching?
Yes, some sort of baby carrier will make things much easier. You really should fine one that works for you! It makes being able to do things around the house while carrying him SO EASY! It helps you feel like you've accomplished something, and it makes him happy that he's getting touching time.
My baby wasn't ready to have scheduled feedings until just before 3 months. Before that, he would scream this horrible, heart-wrenching howl and I knew he just needed to eat when he decided he was hungry.
I'm glad I was patient. Now he'll eat less often, and he'll finish a bottle even if I put it in his mouth before he starts crying.
Just hold on! These times are frustrating, but trying to impose order on chaos (AKA newborn) is fruitless. As long as he's eating enough and growing according to the doctor's wishes, he's doing just fine and so are you. It won't be long before you can have a more orderly life and still be healthy for baby.
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