6 days old and i need some help

Emma - posted on 02/25/2010

he's still very young, i know that it might not sound very helpful but babies of that age do sleep during the day more, quite often feeding more at night but over next couple of weeks will become more awake during the day. just remember that this is a very small amount of time in your overall life together. try to be more relaxed about it, sleep during the afternoon to keep the sleep deprevation away and take turns trying to settle him rather than both being awake. if your breast feeding lie down in bed with him and then you can sleep feed just keep covers off him. then if you wake when he's finished feeding put him back in his crib. if you stress too much he'll be more restless too. hope that helps a little x

Sarah - posted on 02/25/2010

Okay, please dont take this the wrong way, but sometimes harshness is whats needed.... He is 6 DAYS OLD. Do not expect to have any sort of routine sorted for at least another 3 weeks. Give the little guy a break, its not meant to be easy, I have two under 3 and 5 months pregnant with the 3rd, my youngest 22 months, still does not sleep through the night and he has had the same routine since the day he came home lol.... The most important thing as said many times before me is sleep when he sleeps (if you are able.. I;m screwed when this one is born lol).. Honey, just relax, dont expect too much and please dont give him cereal or sugar water, that is crazy talk. Just go with the flow, you will be less tensed, if you dont worry about it too much yet. Also take the phone of the hook, and make a Do Not Disturb sign for the front door, when you want to have a rest. Family and friends, can wait until you are ready, and they wont mind.

Cassie - posted on 02/25/2010

my son was the same way. sometimes theres nothing you can do. but unbutton his clothes keep it airy & maybe change his diaper more often durin the day. also my doctor said to take you knuckles & rub them against the bottom of his feet =)

Diane - posted on 02/25/2010

Hi, my daughter was the same way, she's now almost 10 months old and she's still a night owl, doesn't go to bed until 9pm and is her happiest between 7-9pm lol. When she was your son's age I made sure that during the day there was lot's of natural light coming into the house, and didn't make her room too dark when she slept, lot's of play, music etc, and made sure she was fed every 2-3 hours minimum. At night I kept it dark, quiet, and definitely no playing, and only changed her nappy if she really needed it.

Alison - posted on 02/25/2010

wow! 6 days (well, since your post a few days older now) ..... I've got 2 children (a 5 yr old and now an 8.5 mos old) and I don't think you can do a lot at this stage. Sorry to break the bad news to you but it's just going to be rough going for the first couple of months if you're lucky and up to 4 mos if you're not so lucky. If you can get some family (parents, in-laws) to help out then that would be great. Otherwise it's just going to be what I call the "newborn torture chamber" for a while. Actually, at this point he's at least sleeping then soon it will be colic and/or acid reflux that will bring on the screaming and hard time to settle down to sleep. If you haven't yet, get a good swing, bouncy seat, n' all that good baby equipment to get you through the first trimester. Stock up on Mylicon. Nothing to do but hold on tight and make sure you have a good support system -- it's going to be a bumpy ride!! ; )

Kari - posted on 02/25/2010

This is natral for newborns to have days and nights mixed up... When the baby was in the womb, mom walked around and did things all day. This creates a swinging and rocking motion in the womb, not to mention how tightly swaddled the baby is during this time. At night time, when mom went to bed, the baby would wake up and be alert at because it slept all day. Now you must switch the rythem and timing you created over the last 9 months with your child. It will take some time but swinging, rocking and swaddling at night and less of that during the day should reverse the problem soon enough.

Jessica - posted on 02/25/2010

This is normal for newborns. You will start noticing your baby staying awake more during the day in the next few weeks. It's usually about 4 weeks when your child will start sleeping in longer stretches during the night! I wouldn't try to force it.

Sandy - posted on 02/25/2010

This is normal behavior for newborns. Keep him close to you. His activity now is exactly the way it was before he was born. It takes awhile to get it turned around. Watch for his feeding cues and feed him at that time. He will bring his hands to his mouth. Sometimes if you miss this, your baby may go back to sleep. If it has been 3 hours, wake him up. If he doesn't wake up, take his clothes off to his diaper and place him next to you. Babies love to be next to mommy and this usually wakes them up for feedings. Most important... nap when baby naps. I hope this helps.

Colleen - posted on 02/25/2010

You've had so many replies. All i can really say is that when he is awake during the night don't make a fuss over him. I had found that if I didn't speak to him he would go off to sleep in his own time. I would keep everything dark, change his nappy, feed him., then put him into bed then I would do the same. If he became overly upset I would go to his bedroom and rub his back to let him know that I was there (still no talking) then head back to bed. He will get use to the idea that you are not going to give him much attention at night time. This should help your situation during the day as he's getting lots of sleep at night. When he does wake up during the day make a fuss over him, play with him, talk to him and try to keep him up as long as possible.

Make sure you get plenty of rest. They say it takes 2 weeks to form a habit so hopefully you'll sort it out soon.

Paula - posted on 02/25/2010

Babies have their own clock! my first was this way for her first 5 months. sleep when they sleep and eventually they will outgrow this. Trying to keep them up doesn't switch them around - it usually makes them very grumpy. relax and enjoy them at 2am when they are wide awake! keep the lights off and speak softly so they begin to know that night time is for sleep time. this will take time.....

Crystal - posted on 02/25/2010

hi go out do shopping and things like that so u move him around alot during the day because then he will relise that he has to stay awake during the day and put him near windows where there is plenty of light and make sure it is very quiet of a night and dark but during the day make sure use dont be quiet well he is a sleep during the day or he will keep thinking its bed time during the day i hope this can help u

Crystal - posted on 02/25/2010

hi go out do shopping and things like that so u move him around alot during the day because then he will relise that he has to stay awake during the day and put him near windows where there is plenty of light and make sure it is very quiet of a night and dark but during the day make sure use dont be quiet well he is a sleep during the day or he will keep thinking its bed time during the day i hope this can help u

Charlotte - posted on 02/25/2010

hi, i was wondering whether your lil boy was physiological jaundice as this would cause him to be sleepy, if this is so u need to make sure he feeds 3-4 hourly to help it flush out of his system and pop him in the sunlight for a bit also helps. if hes not jaundice stripping babies down normally wakes them up and changing their nappy usually works. however if your breast feeding your milk should be in by now and ur body releases a hormone a night time which helps with to increase your milk production so ur little boy is more likely to feed at nite rather than in the day. u have to remember they dnt fit in with our 21st century lifestlye, they respond the way nature intended.

hope this helps a little x

Maria - posted on 02/25/2010

Hi, I am 32 years old and I have a 11 year old. As someone else posted here most newborns have their days/night mixed up. Just try to do a routine and follow it veryyyyyyyy closely for at least 2 weeks. try to wake keep him awake during the day and delay a bit his eating time and when it gets close to bed time. take him a wam bath, put few drops of camile tea in his milk which is to calm down, feed him and lay him down to sleep-it should work. Sign to him or something to smooth him to sleep- I use to caress my finger on my daughter nose and she use to fall right to sleep... Good Luck!

Marci - posted on 02/25/2010

I am not sure where you live and what the weather is like there, but getting outside to get some sunny rays on the baby will help reset his natural clock. If its cold out, try just for a few minutes at a time throughout the day. Get the baby by a window when its light out. This is the recommendation for those with jet lag to reset an adults internal time clock, so I could see it working on a baby too. On a side note -- I also had a box turtle (I had him for 20 years) that all of a sudden got very sleepy and lethargic. The vet said to put him by a sunny window that didn't filter out all the UV rays, and he said it would reset his internal clock too, and it worked. I think with all this fear mongering about being in the sun, we forget how the sun can heal us too.....in moderation.

Xuan - posted on 02/25/2010

I have a 8 week old and he use to do that too, but i would take a bath a half an hour before i went to bed, and then fed him warm formula until he was completely full. Then i would burp and and lay him in his crib, swaddled and put some music on for him to hear, and i went to bed with the lights out. He would just play by himself and eventually fall asleep. My mother in law taught me that and now even at 8.5 weeks, he sleeps at least hrs a night. It is great. So maybe you should try that.

Kristin - posted on 02/25/2010

Keep him in a bright environment during the day and interact for as long as he will tolerate it. Don't be super quiet or considerate of him during the day when he is sleeping. Keep to what would be normal for you. Tummy time during the late afternoon to early evening hours really helped with one of mine. He would get in a bit of a workout and then be a bit more tired during normal sleeping hours. At night, keep it only bright enough for you to be able to see to change him and use dim night lights for feedings. Also, be sure that he is really needing to feed, be changed or has gas and not just a little restless. Don't let him get hysterical, but this is when I learned what each of those little cries really meant. Above all, do not interact beyond basic needs when you want him to be sleeping.



You and your husband need to get as much rest as you can now. I don't know if you are bottle or breastfeeding. If bottle feeding, maybe trade nights so one of you gets a full night. If breastfeeding, there is nothing you can really do about those feedings except get that kid really full (he'll sleep longer). But your husband could take the diaper changes if a feeding isn't needed. As for waking him up to feed during the day, start undressing him, he'll get uncomfortable and wake up. However, if he isn't hungry, you will just get frustrated and that's no good. Use that time to take a shower or a nap, don't worry about this too much. In a couple of weeks, he'll have it figured out now that he is exposed to daylight. In the meantime, once your husband goes back to work, be forgiving of each other if he's not as helpful at night and you don't do much more than sleep, feed, and change diapers. This will pass and everything else can wait. Hang in there.

Teva - posted on 02/25/2010

I would take a baby wipe and wash my grand daughters face or undress her a little so she would get cool and wake up. she was doing the same thing and my daughter was getting no sleep

Adri - posted on 02/25/2010

Just keep daytime exciting ,talk a lot, play music, sing to baby, read, keep the room bright even when he is napping. During nightime keeps everything calm, quiet, and as dark as you can, even if baby is awake. Don't talk or as little as possible. Don't play with baby. No Tv or Radio. Eventually your baby will adjust and start sleeping at night. You do, of course, have to feed him at night but when you do, keep it quiet. With my two kids I would feed them at night without turning on the lights. I turned on a little nightlight that didn't brighten up the room much.

Carrie - posted on 02/25/2010

of course not everyone is going to agree, but after reading all of this you'll know instinctually what is best for you and your baby. ♥



the book "Baby Wise" helped me a great deal... it gives very specific round the clock advise.

the basics are

1. feed baby every 2 1/2 to 3 hrs, if he's asleep wake him up (u may have to take his clothes off tickle his ears or toes or ribs.. which will wake him up long enough to nurse another minute or so AND this is the main thing that will switch his days and nights) ..... the time above is counted from the begining of 1 feeding to the beginning of the next.... and if you're nursing and ur milk has come in then nurse 10 min on each side and then the next time u nurse again start on the side u left off on.



2. after baby eats keep him awake as long as you possibly can... change his diaper, tickle him, give him a bath, whatever (usually as long as you can isn't a great deal of time b/c he will need to go to sleep for some pd of time during the 2 1/2 to 3 hrs stretch of time)... but keeping him awake and not just letting him sleep will also switch the days and nights and lets say that if he's awake an hour during the 3 hr stretch then ur doing really really great, especially with a 6 day old!! the older they get the longer they can go w/o having to annoy them into being awake.



3. when its time for him to sleep during the day put him down while he's still awake and allow him to cry himself to sleep (this will help him self soothe so even if he wakes in the middle of the night he can put himself back to sleep if he's not hungry... though until he weighs atleast 10 lbs he'll most likely be hungry at night)...



the book is great tho. it gives a lot of good advise ...

Tamara - posted on 02/25/2010

Jessica, Be prepared to stay awake for quite awhile. Babies at 6 days of age are used to sleeping most of the time in the womb. He will probably sleep most of the time for about three months especially in the daytime. I did have my oldest one sleep everyday of her life and she is 43 years old and is still up at night, sorry to dismay you but some people are night people and their body clock is off. I would wake him up sometimes in the day time by gently moving him around and offer him a bottle. He has to drink his bottle every so many hours so that is when I would try to keep him awake. This is very hard to do with a newborn. Talk to him and move him around. It is very hard to keep a baby awake when he wants to sleep. Good luck,

Sincerely,

Tamara Lesley

www.spiritual-harmony.com

Kristel - posted on 02/25/2010

First - sleep when your baby sleeps! Don't expect too much from him during the first few weeks - it's a lot for a baby to get used to on the outside world. During the day when he is awake make sure you sing and talk and interact with him as much as possible and try to draw out his awake times. At night keep it strictly business - no playing. He should be fine by around 3 weeks as far as night and day go. Have fun and enjoy!

Stephanie - posted on 02/25/2010

My babies did the same thing , i had to lift them regularly throughout the day normally every 2/3 hrs at the start and then they stretched out to 4hrs or so,do a nappy change have a little play and a feed. It took a while but eventually it worked and they got their time clocks sorted out!

Sheri - posted on 02/25/2010

I have 10 year old twins and as you can image I was exhausted! They were on different sleeping cycles and I was at the end of my rope...so tired. I met a woman in line at Babies R Us and she told me about a book by the name of "Baby Wise". She said it was a short read and I should go and purchase it...so I did. It was the best $12.00-$15.00 I have ever spent! I read it that night...put it into practice and I changed their sleeping patterns/rountine within a few days. They have always been good sleepers since then and many times I have been asked why my kids were so easily put down for naps and always seemed happy...I always repied...."Baby Wise". I now give it to all my friends at their baby showers. It's amazing how many of my friends were using it or had used it....but forgot to tell me about it! Good Luck...and get hopefully you will get some rest~!

Sheri - posted on 02/25/2010

I have 10 year old twins and as you can image I was exhausted! They were on different sleeping cycles and I was at the end of my rope...so tired. I met a woman in line at Babies R Us and she told me about a book by the name of "Baby Wise". She said it was a short read and I should go and purchase it...so I did. It was the best $12.00-$15.00 I have ever spent! I read it that night...put it into practice and I changed their sleeping patterns/rountine within a few days. They have always been good sleepers since then and many times I have been asked why my kids were so easily put down for naps and always seemed happy...I always repied...."Baby Wise". I now give it to all my friends at their baby showers. It's amazing how many of my friends were using it or had used it....but forgot to tell me about it! Good Luck...and get hopefully you will get some rest~!

Michelle - posted on 02/25/2010

In the beginning it is so hard but I promise it gets better. I used to take a cold rag and touch his face. It would wake my little one but he would go back to sleep shortly after. Unfortunately it is hard to keep them up when they are this age. My suggestion would be to try to sleep during the day when hes sleeping, eventually they will form their own schedule and it will get a lot easier.

Michelle - posted on 02/25/2010

In the beginning it is so hard but I promise it gets better. I used to take a cold rag and touch his face. It would wake my little one but he would go back to sleep shortly after. Unfortunately it is hard to keep them up when they are this age. My suggestion would be to try to sleep during the day when hes sleeping, eventually they will form their own schedule and it will get a lot easier.

Michelle - posted on 02/25/2010

In the beginning it is so hard but I promise it gets better. I used to take a cold rag and touch his face. It would wake my little one but he would go back to sleep shortly after. Unfortunately it is hard to keep them up when they are this age. My suggestion would be to try to sleep during the day when hes sleeping, eventually they will form their own schedule and it will get a lot easier.

Maria - posted on 02/25/2010

I know that this going to sound silly and a bit strange, but try it anyway. When my son was born, he confused day with night and my pediatrician told me to hold to the baby and turn him upside down for ten seconds...then right side up again. This is supposed to make him get back on track with his sleeping. Like I said...it sounds silly. I tried it and though it didn't work the first time I did it, it did work after the third. From then on, my slept like a perfect baby. If you try it let me know if if worked for you.

Ivette - posted on 02/25/2010

Sorry to burst your bubble of hope, but this is the normal pattern for the first few weeks. To help "switch" his days and nights around, keep night time feedings and diaper changes quiet, with dimmed lighting and no distractions. During the day wake often to feed... my doctor showed me how to scratch his feet to wake a very sleepy baby. They hate this, so expect loud protesting! Use your index finger and scratch the soles of the feet quite firmly...obviously not too hard so as to hurt, but I was surprised by the doctor's pressure when she demonstrated on my hand. Good luck!

Katie - posted on 02/25/2010

try giving him a bath. or if it isnt too cold take him outside. that helped with my boys. Hope you get some sleep. Good luck!

Lori - posted on 02/25/2010

Boy do I know what you're going through! It makes sense though, afterall, you 'rocked' him with your movements throughout the day, and at night when you were still, you probably notived more movement. Try keeping it really bright in your home during the day, and dark when he is 'supposed' to be sleeping. The only real answer is time, which is not want you to hear at this point! Hang in there - it does get easier!

Heather - posted on 02/25/2010

in the first few weeks newborns will be backwards with their sleeping, but there's not only much you CAN do but there's not much you SHOULD do more importantly. it doesn't sound logical but the more a baby is up in the day does NOT mean the better they sleep at night. its actually the opposite - the better naps they have during the day they better and less cranky they are at night. just push through this hard period for the first few weeks and eventually thing will change for the better!! if he's sleeping all day, take the opportunity to nap with him! sleep when he sleeps :)

Janet - posted on 02/25/2010

Babies often get their days and nights mixed up. It's a very difficult time, but they do grow out of it. Most important is to sleep when baby is sleeping - forget about how perfect your house is. Baby rules during this time. You can try to force the issue, but you're only going to make yourself more miserable. You might also try swadling him. Wrap him good in his blanket, they feel more secure and rest better at that age. Don't fight too hard - just ride it out best you can and enjoy everything you can. It all works out. My youngest just turned 10. I made sure to enjoy those times even though I thought I would go crazy at times. Just be sure to learn to smile and coo at him even though you think you'll pull out your own hair! lol!! (oh, and invest in some toothpicks to hold your eyes open! lol!!)

Mandi - posted on 02/25/2010

He has definately gotten his days & nights confused. THis happens alot at this age. It should soon work itself out. I would feed often during the day, make sure there is plenty of daylight during daytime naps & dark at night, make sure everyone isn't tip toeing around while hes alsleep make pleny of noise, tickle him, things like that. A newborn requires alot of sleep he should get switched around soon- also search the web for suggestions parents.com is great for advice and you and hubby take turns napping for now Good luck!

Sara - posted on 02/25/2010

Several people recommended I do diaper changes, take socks off and tickle feet and to take his clothes off to wake him. As for the day/night confusion, try waking him and feeding every two hours during the day... it should give you a 4-5 hour stretch at night. Good Luck!

Seasun - posted on 02/25/2010

I had problems getting my son on a good sleeping schedule. When i tried to change i got a lot of crying. I know my parents used the cry it out method but i just could not do that. His doctor asked if i would be willing to take advice from a book. I replied of course, anything that would help. I bought the book and although it does require some effort it worked wonderfully, it call "The no cry sleep solution" it s not tailered to one kind parenting so you can still do what works for you and it helps you find out when and for how long during the day and at night your child needs sleep. I hope you try it and that you are able to get some rest soon

Seasun - posted on 02/25/2010

I had problems getting my son on a good sleeping schedule. When i tried to change i got a lot of crying. I know my parents used the cry it out method but i just could not do that. His doctor asked if i would be willing to take advice from a book. I replied of course, anything that would help. I bought the book and although it does require some effort it worked wonderfully, it call "The no cry sleep solution" it s not tailered to one kind parenting so you can still do what works for you and it helps you find out when and for how long during the day and at night your child needs sleep. I hope you try it and that you are able to get some rest soon

Cynthia - posted on 02/25/2010

Two people four hands, desperation should be respected, and safety addressed.
Make no judgements.
For me my children where allergic to apples and whatever compound they formed in my breast milk after I ate them or drank apple juice. My eldest daughter suffered for eight months crying in pain all those nights, projectile vomiting, every one said its colic, and it may very well have been but noone provided any help othere than gripe water which was only momentarily effective. I came close to throwing my child in the canal because of my inability to help my daughter and from lack of sleep. At eight months I ran out of apples mid week and with pay day 3 days off , we had our first nights sleep in peace that night and thursday. Friday brought pay day and apples and sure enough a crying in pain baby that night. Apples banished from my diet for the next 13years as I had four more babies and nursed them from 1 to 3 1/2 years.

Jennipher - posted on 02/25/2010

Baby is still figuring out day/night - during feeding try undressing your little guy or bathe about 5pm or 6pm so that he can sleep. a schedule will eventually take place-usually by the 2nd wk, you are good to go.

Cynthia - posted on 02/25/2010

Quick question totallly off topic where are the ladies who call their babies bubs from?? I've not heard this term before!

Cynthia - posted on 02/25/2010

Quick question totallly off topic where are the ladies who call their babies bubs from?? I've not heard this term before!

Jenna - posted on 02/25/2010

Babies like to be nice and warm so I would take off the blankets and even undress him. Play with his feet. He might get upset but at least he would be awake.

Debra - posted on 02/25/2010

my youngest only liked to sleep when there was a lot of noise around for the first 2 weeks. Think about when he was inside you. Mine was most quiet when I was moving about doing things. When I sat down for quiet time she would "wake up" and start kicking me like crazy!

Try leaving the tv on or even moving his crib into the living room with you then systematically start turning things off... start with conversation, tv and normal noises then all stop talking but leave tv on... etc...

use this in conjuction with a stable nighttime routine and all should work out! We have dinner as a family (including bottle for baby at same time) then it was bath time followed by a massage (johnson and johnson lavender products are DEVINE for putting littles ones down and relaxing them), turn all lights to dim. We still use this and she has slept through the night since she was a month old.

Good Luck!

Darlyn - posted on 02/25/2010

He's only 6 days old!!!!!!!!!! I might feel you had a real problem if he were 6 months and not sleeping nights but 6 DAYS!!!!!!!!!!! You might at least give him 6 week to see if he'll straighten himself out but come on give the baby a chance!!!!! I have 4 children, 11 grandchildren and 1 great-grandchild so I feel like I might have an inkling of what to do. By 6 weeks he should start sleeping longer thru the night.

Kristen - posted on 02/25/2010

For now just sleep during the day when your baby sleeps. It will work out. They take a few weeks and then nights will come natural to them. My little boy ate every 2 hours during the day so it was easy for him to start realizing what night time was. He actually did not sleep through the night or more than 7 hours a night until he was 6 months old and even then it was hit and miss. So definately take naps when it's possible. Enjoy them being this small, chores can wait for sure. They grow up way too fast!

Joyce - posted on 02/25/2010

Umm, your just going to have to keep him up for about three hours in the morning and then let him sleep for three and then get him up for three until you can transition him to sleeping at night. Otherwise, just suck it up and stay up all night with him and sleep all day. Atleast he isn't down for two and up for one like both mine. That was a real treat let me tell you. Welcome to mommyhood!

Joyce - posted on 02/25/2010

Umm, your just going to have to keep him up for about three hours in the morning and then let him sleep for three and then get him up for three until you can transition him to sleeping at night. Otherwise, just suck it up and stay up all night with him and sleep all day. Atleast he isn't down for two and up for one like both mine. That was a real treat let me tell you. Welcome to mommyhood!

Joyce - posted on 02/25/2010

Umm, your just going to have to keep him up for about three hours in the morning and then let him sleep for three and then get him up for three until you can transition him to sleeping at night. Otherwise, just suck it up and stay up all night with him and sleep all day. Atleast he isn't down for two and up for one like both mine. That was a real treat let me tell you. Welcome to mommyhood!

Joyce - posted on 02/25/2010

Umm, your just going to have to keep him up for about three hours in the morning and then let him sleep for three and then get him up for three until you can transition him to sleeping at night. Otherwise, just suck it up and stay up all night with him and sleep all day. Atleast he isn't down for two and up for one like both mine. That was a real treat let me tell you. Welcome to mommyhood!