Hi ladies,
I've just given birth 2 weeks ago to baby number 2, and his sleep pattern is making it impossible to cope... He wakes up every hour during the night for a feed, but during the day he sleeps in stretches of 2-3 hours. I know I should sleep when he does during the day but I have an active 2 year old toddler who sometimes doesn't nap at all. Plus I find it hard to sleep in the day time. I'm breast feeding, expressing, and supplementing with formula just to keep up with his constant feeding demands while preserving some sanity (bottle means hubby can feed him sometimes and it's not only me). He also seems to sometimes pull away and cry when feeding from the breast. Should I just give up the breast feeding part and go all formula? Is there anything I can do to help switch his night sleep pattern with his day one? Help! I'm so tired.
Sleepless nights with baby #2
Sleepless nights with baby #2
Posted in:
Baby & Toddler, Baby Feeding
6 Replies
Try and do sleep training, not sleep training as in cry it out but something a bit more appropriate for a 2 week old. You need to teach baby the difference between night and day. Make sure the baby is in the light during the day (curtains are up if dark outside lights are on). During the day making sure it is louder (not too loud) and at night quieter (not too quiet) and also a lot darker. When he wakes up for a feed at night try and post pone feeds as much as possible using dummys, rocking, calming techniques. Feed him lots during the day, don't necessarily wait for him to be hungry. Feed him up during the day so he is getting enough and learns day time is for feeding, hopefully he will be fuller at night and make it harder for him to get bottle or boob at night. I would not give up breast feeding just yet unless you are REALLY struggling! Mixing in a bit of formula can help. For my kids I stopped breast feeding and started expressing into a bottle because I found they did better at feeding that way. Good luck - but remember it's only week 2! It will get easier. Maybe ask for extra help if you have any family?
Your bub is still learning the difference between day and night so I'd advise to wait another few weeks before attempting any "sleep training".
Regarding the breastfeeding the more bub suckles the more your milk supply will increase. So I guess the question is really do YOU want to persevere with it?
Do whatever you can to get some rest and get as much help from friends and family for your toddler. Look after yourself as hard as it is....
Pulling away crying could be tummy pain or could be over full and just want comfort by sucking, my 6week old was doing this until I found a type of dummy he likes, he is much more settled now. Your baby will soon start staying awake longer between feeds, now I keep my little man awake for a while in the late afternoon, we just keep doing things, outside watching his sisters play, tummy time, bath ect just drag the afternoons out so bubs is tired by night time - that's what is working for us at least
Both my boys did this and they are lactose intolerant they were up all night with upset bellys dairy and wheat coffee and fizzy drinks can upset bubs speak to a lactation consultant ur hospital can send one out to u! They help a lot to get bubs feeding for longer so they sleep for longer! All bubs can be unsettled for the first few weeks hang in there!
Both my boys did this and they are lactose intolerant they were up all night with upset bellys dairy and wheat coffee and fizzy drinks can upset bubs speak to a lactation consultant ur hospital can send one out to u! They help a lot to get bubs feeding for longer so they sleep for longer! All bubs can be unsettled for the first few weeks hang in there!
Your baby is tiny, he's feeding all the time to try & increase your supply! Your body will catch up if you don't give the formula as it's supply & demand. Keep him on the breast & express if you have time, but ditch the formula as any time he gets that your body isn't getting the message to make more milk. Wake him to feed more regularly in the daytime (3hrly) & hopefully that will help him adjust. You need help but the help you need is with your toddler, dad & anyone else can do that & also go to bed early, give dad the instruction to wake you when it's been 3hrs for the next breastfeed & if you do that early in the evening it can help you catch up on sleep. You can do it! Don't give up!!