premmies

Donna - posted on 01/20/2011

In my personal experience, my daughter was born 3 1/2 months premature at 1 1/2 lbs. What I really didn't understand was for 3 1/2 months she had no idea what was night and day. We all know how hospitals are, you get NO sleep. Same for preemies. However; I hope I am the rare case. But it was over a year before my daughter slept through the night. I had NO choice but to stay home with her for the first year, for obvious reasons. You can't keep a newborn up during the day, so as your son gets older, he will sleep more. My daughter is now 3 1/2 years old and still really doesn't sleep sound, however; thank goodness she does sleep through the night. :) It really helped as her appetiate picked up, she ate more, she would stay asleep longer during the night. She really has never eaten much, so that could have been the reason. It is their world, they do what they want when they want, from day one. :) I wish you much success it whatever works. A consistant routine is a must.

Mia - posted on 01/19/2011

Oh I feel for you, I have two boys no.1 was 3 weeks early and no. 2 was 5.5 weeks early. I honestly don't think it matters if they're prem or not whether they sleep through. My no.1 son still wakes most nights from dreams, at around 9 months we did some controlled comfortig to get him to put himself to sleep which worked wonders but still doesn't help him sleep through.

Some kids are just good sleepers and some are not! Mum said we weren't good sleepers as young kids. I just try to stick to a bit of a routine, not to let them get too excited past about 5pm.

At least he is sleeping through sometimes so he can actually do it, it will get better with age I'm told. He's doing alright!

Melissa - posted on 01/12/2011

My little one, now 3, was born at 24 weeks. He was maintained on a schedule in the NICU for 3 months. Upon bringing him home we maintained that schedule and as he grew he slept longer hours. By the time he was home for 3 months he was sleeping regular hours and awaking only 1x per night. My experience is that schedules and routine makes them more comfortable and therefore can determine their sleep patterns and consistency! Good luck!

Lori - posted on 01/11/2011

Don't make sleep time play time. Go in quietly and comfort them but try to keep talking to a minimum. If he went to bed with a full belly and you know he's not hungry or doesn't have a dirty diaper.. give him a bottle of warm water...

if you make sleep time boring they stop waking up every couple hours for a mommy entertainment time.

I know how tired you are! I've been there 4 times... It's almost over and you will be on to growth spurts and teething.. :P

Janet - posted on 01/11/2011

my daughter was born at 34 wks... she mostly sleeps thru the night now.. she is 3. my son is now a year and was born at 31 wks (but very small) he is only 12lbs now, we have been prescribed something by the doctor to help him sleep, so now he usually only wakes once. we have a fairly set routine and if we dont stick to it they become very difficult, - over tired, and grumpy for the next few days.
I guess they are just not good at sleeping and all babies will do whatever they are going to in their own time. Its hell! but one day it will get better!

Pamela - posted on 01/11/2011

My son will be 5 in Feb and just started sleeping thru the nite! Good Luck! :) Actually you will notice changes for the better each month that goes by. Now my second, premie girl, is 2 and when she's tired she takes her blanket and pacifer turns adn says nite nite and walks herself to bed. She usually sleep thru the nite, might wake to find her pacifer, but not often.

JENNA - posted on 01/11/2011

Routine! My oldest was 4 weeks early, he was sleeping through the night before his due date. My second was 5 weeks early, he was sleeping through the night around 4/5 months old. My third was 6 weeks early, and she was sleeping through the night around 3/4 months old (These are actual age, not adjusted) Now at 10 months, she sleeps 12 hour night and both of my boys sleep about 13hour nights (they are 3 and almost 2) Routine helped us a LOT. We were just really lucky with the first one! ;o) Good luck mama!

Susan - posted on 01/10/2011

remember that your child may be 5 months old physically, but neurologically, he is only at the developmental level of a baby born on his proper due date. So if he was 4 weeks early, he's only 4 months corrected age. My daughter was born 16 weeks early, so five months after her birth, she was 1 1/2 months corrected age.
I also agree with the other moms that every baby achieves sleeping through the night at different ages, but rarely before 6 months.

Jennifer - posted on 01/10/2011

5months is early to expect a baby to sleep through the night even for a full-term baby. A full-term baby can be expected to go through the night without a feeding at about 6months so tack on some time onto that. My daughter was born at 35 weeks but was super small- 2lbs 13oz- I take her expected milestone add the five weeks and then go from there.

Kera - posted on 01/06/2011

My 15-month daughter, born at 30 weeks, started sleeping through the night when she was 3 months old. A routine really helped her, and once she was five months old, she was sleeping through the night regularly. Perhaps you could try an eating and/or sleeping schedule and see if that helps your son. Good luck!

Carrie - posted on 01/05/2011

They all sleep through the night at different times. My oldest daughter started sleeping through the night at 6 months, my 2nd was about 7 months and my youngest (a preemie) has never slept through the night till recently but because of lots of health issues but I promise they will eventually sleep all night. :) I hope your son does soon for you

Emily - posted on 01/05/2011

They sleep through when they're ready. :) Honestly, I wouldn't worry about that right now. Babies are designed to wake up several times at night. Every baby eventually sleeps longer stretches over time, but every baby is different.