6 days old and i need some help

Heather - posted on 02/24/2010

Every baby is different and most will not get into a routine for several weeks. My recommendation is to sleep when the baby sleeps and soon enough, things will turn around.

Sue - posted on 02/24/2010

Patience...Removing the clothes ...& wiggling your babies arms and legs gently will probably be your best bet....DON"T give the baby sugar water. I know some people who have...your baby is too little and needs the proper nutrition and immunity if you are nursing. I would also try the feeding often during the day.. it will help keep the baby up. ... One thing to consider is if the baby is crying maybe the baby's tummy bugs him/her.

Tricia - posted on 02/24/2010

Have you ever heard, "don't wake a sleeping baby"... boo haa haa. Feed, Wake, Sleep cycle from "On Becoming Baby Wise". It's a 3 hour cycle of feed them - keep them awake a bit (change the diap, clothes even if it's just 5 -10 minutes), then sleep (if awake that's good, then they can get to sleep themselves). And the 'Feed' part of that, be sure it's a FULL feed. Get their legs out of those hot pjs, so they are a little chilly and stay more wakeful so they don't fall asleep... Don't let them sleep more than 3 hours. And that 3 hours is from the START of the feed. So if you fed at 3, you'll be feeding again at 6. WAKE a sleeping baby, especially a newborn. You don't want them MISSING feeds. Burp them BEFORE each feed too, so there isn't an air bubble sitting there for the food to sit on top of then the burp throws out half the food. I nursed and I could LITERALLY set my watch by when I would fill up to feed again. I'd fill up, look at my watch, and think, no wonder, it's been three hours.

Good Luck!

Monica - posted on 02/24/2010

hes still tiny and needs thier rest just as much as you and your husband the way it worked with me and my husband is that i would stay up with our daughter while he sleeps at night then when she slept i did to but be patient it wont be long till he starts sleeping through the night. just have patients with him just remmeber to give your self some tlc to urself to.

Christienne - posted on 02/24/2010

make sure you keep him up during the day by rousing him before feeds, bare bottom wriggle times, baths etc. Wake him every 2 hours thru the day. At night don't talk or stimulate him, avoid nappy change if possible, use a dull hall light don't walk him around the house, just out of bed feed and back. Took me 3 weeks to get this one sorted. Very tiring big hugs to you

Shannon - posted on 02/24/2010

hi, I had the same problem and here is some advice that was given to me that may work. At night, keep things dark and quiet, during the day, make noise, have lights on, play music etc. The baby will get turned around, I promise!

Lauren - posted on 02/24/2010

I have to strip my little one (he's 10 days old) down to his diaper sometimes to get him to wake up. Sometimes a cold wet wipe on his tummy works too. I also read that during the day while he is sleeping (if you are not sleeping) make sure you make noise and leave the tv on talk normally (no whispering) and keep the lights bright. At night when you feed him, keep the lights dim and keep everything quieter. Don't spend a lot of time talking to him just comfort him silently like with a back rub or a belly rub. He will soon learn the difference between night and day.

Kelly - posted on 02/24/2010

You can't train them to sleep at night. You have to wait it out. I know, I wish that they would sleep at night, but my Dr. said that they are naturally more awake at night and sleepy during the day in the beginning.

Hina - posted on 02/24/2010

every baby is different and the way of handling them is different too..for me I make sure that my baby doesn't sleep during the day more than its required and now that she is 10 months old I make sure that she gets ample time to play before she goes to sleep at night..playing and activity time helps her get exhausted and it is easier for her to go to bed without crying...also I make sure that her stomach is full and diaper is clean before going to bed..I guess this makes it a lot easier for a baby to have a good night sleep..

Amy - posted on 02/24/2010

I remember when my son would do that, it takes a while for the newborn to sorta catch on to a schedule. But if you keep at it, like tickling his feet and giving him tons of attention and activity during the day he will soon get the hint. congrats and good luck.

Allie - posted on 02/24/2010

I agree with all the ladies who say STAY AWAY from sugar water!!! I also agree with taking some clothes off. Are you nursing or formula feeding? If its formula feeding you may try switching formulas? Also keep it dark and quite at night but light during the day. When my son was that young we had a packNplay in the living room! I know its sorta wacky, but I was told to "teach" the baby that the crib is for sleeping ALL night and the packNplay is for the day. I think it worked because he was sleeping through the night by the time he was 9 months. I hope you all get some sleep soon! (as always try talking to your pediatrician for helpful advice)

Mary - posted on 02/24/2010

What I would do is when he falls asleep, let him sleep for a while then talk to him and tell him a story while picking him up and waking him. That way he feels he got sleep and you really cut his nap alittle, do that for all his naps during the day. Talk to him alot and tell him stories or have music in the backround during the day, at night it's quiet time don't talk to him a whole lot, that will tell him the difference between daytime and night time. Also, if babies are small or going though a growth spirt they tend to clusterfeed. Clusterfeeding is when your baby feeds on and off for a few hours straight, this is your babies way of letting you know he's going though a growth spirt soon and getting your breasts to produce more breast milk for when he'll need it. Finally, you could create a relaxing bedtime routine like; bath, lotion, story, and bedtime feed. I hope these pointers will help!

Natalie - posted on 02/24/2010

They dont understand the difference between day and night yet. Theyre not usually in a routine until a few months old. Staying up all night is completely normal although it is very tiring. Try feeding on demand. He'll soon recognise that he needs to sleep at night and stay awake during the day. My little girl was fine both day and night when she was younger and slept all the while, play with him lots during the day like singing to him or putting him in a rocker with plenty of toys to look at. also going for a walk with him like to a park or something gives him plenty of fresh air so it may tire him for the night. At 6 days old theres not much u can do im afraid but dont wake him if hes sleeping, would u like to be woke if u was sleeping? this will make him moody. Try catching sleep while he sleeps in the day :-) good luck xx

Elisha-Kay - posted on 02/24/2010

This is difficult to overcome...both my boys did the same thing. When in the womb they are being "rocked to sleep" during the day because of your movement and are kicking and moving at night because you are still. I used to take their clothing off, tickle them, blow on the faces (lightly of course!), then were feeding them every hour or two. Often times they would fall asleep while feeding but you continue to wake them up. I always felt bad keeping them awake and would have some people criticize me for it but in the long run it was worth it. Within just a few days with both of them they were on a much better day/night schedule. If you are diligent with keeping him/her awake, keeping him on a feeding schedule and can listen to a bit of crying when you put him down at night he will be sleeping almost through the night in no time. Good Luck!

Sarah - posted on 02/24/2010

Hi! Don't know if you are a stay at home working mom, or working mom (no matter which, ALL moms are working moms!), but if you are going to be at home-rule # 1-DO NOT TRY TO BE SUPERMOM!!! Sleep when the baby sleeps, so you can survive and give your best.

You can try to ease him over bit by bit into sleeping longer at nite, but a newborn is def. going to just sleep lots anyway. There's a lot of growing going on right now. My second son had the same issue. He wasn't up crabby during the nite, he was just awake and ready to go, playing while I was in a bleary coma! During the day I would tickle his feet, try to play with him, uncover and "unsnuggle" him, wipe his feet with a cool washcloth, whatever I could think of. Believe me, he was not happy about it! But I finally eased him into a nap at the same time as my older son, during the day, and we all took a nap together then. My survival nap!! This too shall pass, Mom!

Sarah - posted on 02/24/2010

Hi! Don't know if you are a stay at home working mom, or working mom (no matter which, ALL moms are working moms!), but if you are going to be at home-rule # 1-DO NOT TRY TO BE SUPERMOM!!! Sleep when the baby sleeps, so you can survive and give your best.

You can try to ease him over bit by bit into sleeping longer at nite, but a newborn is def. going to just sleep lots anyway. There's a lot of growing going on right now. My second son had the same issue. He wasn't up crabby during the nite, he was just awake and ready to go, playing while I was in a bleary coma! During the day I would tickle his feet, try to play with him, uncover and "unsnuggle" him, wipe his feet with a cool washcloth, whatever I could think of. Believe me, he was not happy about it! But I finally eased him into a nap at the same time as my older son, during the day, and we all took a nap together then. My survival nap!! This too shall pass, Mom!

Alisa - posted on 02/24/2010

Bless your heart! I have a few ideas that will help. During the day wake the infant for feedings, if breast feeding every 2-3 hrs. if bottle feeding every 3-4 hrs. During these feedings keep the child a little cool, by that I mean don't keep it all snuggly and warm, that makes them want to go to sleep. Try to change it's diaper mid feeding, that will keep the coolness going and if they were trying to go back to sleep before finishing bottle, this will help them stay awake. At night when you guys want to go to bed and after it's been fed, make sure it's nice and snuggly warm, and put to bed. During the night let the infant sleep as long as it wants to, if it does wake for a feeding, keep a soft light on, change diaper first, keep things very quiet, don't talk alot or get the baby excited, feed and burp like usual, and put baby back to bed even if it's awake, and turn off light. The infant will learn to go back to sleep by it's self. My Doctor gave me a book with this info in it with my second child, wish I had it with my first...good luck!

Vicky - posted on 02/24/2010

This is old fashioned but believe me it works.. I did it with my grandbaby and turned her right around without her mom knowing and it worked. Take the little man and flip him 3 times counterclock wise to it slowly and gently but he will change his sleep time..do not b afraid of hurting him as you won"t do it over your bed so you can lay him down as needed

Irene - posted on 02/24/2010

MAKE UR SELF SLEEP!! ITS THE ONLY WAY. AND TAKE SHIFTS U HAVE THE NIGHT ONE TILL HE GETS ON SCHEDULE.

Lindsey - posted on 02/24/2010

Depending on where you live and the weather outside, my first boy had a more difficult time adjusting to the days and nights than our second. He was born in the summer so we took him outside a lot and played where the light was bright. I didn't put sunscreen on him when he was that young so I would make sure he was covered with clothing. Simply, I would suggest keeping it bright around him during the day as much as you can. You don't want to wake them up too much during the day becuase they need their sleep, but limit how long he sleeps at a time, so if you can feed regularly 2-3 hours we found that to be helpful and we were able to transition into 8 hour nights at about 6 weeks old and all night at 10. Hope it helps.

Tiffany - posted on 02/24/2010

I used to tickle my girls' feet. It made them mad, but it worked ;)

Hina - posted on 02/24/2010

You can't do much with the small babies except experimenting with them...when my baby was born my doctor told us to forcibly wake the child and try to get her in system..she said that she would cry for a few days and then in 2-3 days she would get use to it...we did this and it worked very well for us...my baby slept through out the night and so could we and now she is 10 months and ever since then she sleeps through out the night...

Brianna - posted on 02/24/2010

Take his clothes off and tickle his feet or run a cold rag on his feet to see if that helps.

Melissa - posted on 02/24/2010

I agree with Heather and Cleo. When you keep a baby warm they like to sleep alot more. Remember being in school how they would keep the rooms cold so you wouldn't fall asleep during class. Keep your baby cooler then he should stay awake more often. Best of Luck with your little one.

Teresa - posted on 02/24/2010

I found waking my baby for feeding and changing helps wake a baby up. Other than that, they are going to sleep until they figure out what time of the day it is. U need to sleep when they do. I agree with everyone saying this because it is very important.

Deborah - posted on 02/24/2010

LOL, I feel you exaustion. My youngest did the same thing, nights and days backwards. He also was very difficult to wake up. I would lightly bounce him and he wouldn't even flench. In the hospital before he came homes the nurses couldn't rouse him either. I say just keep trying to wake him during the day and catch as many naps as you can till he gets his schedule flipped around.

Lisa - posted on 02/24/2010

First you are the mom and you my friend have to figure out what is best for your child. suggestions are fine but listen to your heart. I will say that giving a child sugar water is not a good idea because then they do not like to drink water with out the sugar and it will cause problems down the road with their teeth. The flipping usually works but the best thing is to try to force them awake by the light tickles, cool clothes, and undessing them. also you could try, once that you notice he is waking up for you, the cereal but my recommendation, even though he is still young is not to use it in a bottle but start right away with a baby spoon, and only at night until he gets his schedule rearranged. one it will train them other ways to eat and only do this if the child does not have health issues. Im sure you know that there are formulas that have a rice product in it to help with baby's that have reflux problems, my grandson used that and he started eating like I just explained and he is fine. I raised four children of my own and now have two step children all healthy and eat all kinds of food and very little if any health issues. Trust your heart and your motherly instincts. But most importantly you need to get your rest while you can and that is most likely going to be when babes is asleep. God luck.. Let us all know how he is doing and you as well.

Megan - posted on 02/24/2010

Holy cow...all I can say is, please ignore any advice here that involves feeding your baby anything but breastmilk or formula (infants don't even need water for the first 6 months). Keeping the house nice and bright during the day will eventually help your newborn figure it out, but please...give your baby a break...he's so new!!

Talk to your pediatrician about how long is too long for him to sleep...generally newborns should be eating every 3 hours. If you had a lot of drugs with your labor, they can stay in your baby's system for quite awhile, making him sleepy. It's very important that he eat enough and gain properly.

BTW, there is NO EVIDENCE WHATSOEVER that feeding a baby cereal at any age makes him sleep longer. And feeding anything other than breastmilk (ideally) or formula before 6 months is setting your child up for a whole host of issues.

Your pediatrician is your best resource...

Melissa - posted on 02/24/2010

sleep when he sleeps. it all work out quickly. babies this young usually sleep alot anyway...just remember, sleep when he sleeps

Carol - posted on 02/24/2010

Try undressing him. I found that I had to do that in order for my little ones to nurse!! You got to cut him a break he is only 6 days old... It may take a little but eventually he will get his days and nights straightened out... Also blowing on his belly while you have him undressed and if needed ty and open his diaper to get some air to him. But becareful if you do take off the diaper,, just make sure you cove him up!!! Good Luck!!

Amy - posted on 02/24/2010

oh boy....I remember these days! Remember...he's been in side of you in a dark place for 9 months...so 6 days is still not quite long enough for him to adjust. Here's what we did to try to "change" the sleeping patterns of our 4 newborns. BATH...wake that boy up with a bath. He may not stay awake long, but it definitely pulled ours out of a deep sleep for a little while. At night, when he's awake, try putting him in a swing...movement will keep him busy while you take a snooze. Don't forget to switch out with hubby...he can be up for 3 hours, then you take a turn. Good luck, and remember, these days pass quickly and before you know it, it will all be a distant memory!

Elizabeth (Beth) - posted on 02/24/2010

been there, done that...so sorry! It's really hard these first few weeks when their nights and days are mixed up. Try to put him to sleep in a bright room, even a different bed in the daytime, don't let him sleep for more than a couple of hours. Try and give him a routine (bath, change of clothes etc.) before "bedtime" also. And hang in there, it will take a few weeks, won't happen over night. However, I can promise you that this too shall pass! I have nine kids, so I can assure you that sleep will come back - later, but it will come!

Janet - posted on 02/24/2010

Plan a day with family and friends and keep on passing him around so everybody can play and talk to him, any type of stimulation....rattles, colors, music. Keep waking him up if he slips back into a sleep mode. Let him nap when you want him to nap and try your best to stimulate him when you want him to stay awake.

Phylicia - posted on 02/24/2010

i say wake the baby up to feed during the day....try to play for a while before feeding which will be better in the case the baby goes to sleep after eating.

Shannon - posted on 02/24/2010

My mom always had a way of putting things simply she said, "When the baby is asleep, you sleep." I didn't like it and I had a million things I thought needed doing while the baby was asleep but I finally gave into that advice. As for your hubby, this might be a rough patch for him.

Diana - posted on 02/24/2010

try giving him his bath in the evening rather than the morning, another idea someone told me was to lay them on the bed and rotate them counter clockwise 3 times, maybe it's an old wives tale , but at this stage it's worth a try :)

Dominique - posted on 02/24/2010

Your baby had no routine while he was in your womb, so for him its all pretty much the same out in the world. You need to help him establish a bedtime routine. From the very first day that my baby came home from the hospital she had her first bath with me at 7 pm. From that day on wards, we are yet to miss a bath together at that time. We feed her before she baths and then read her a bed time story when she is snuggly wrapped up and we turn the lights down low. This way she knows that she must sleep now. She started sleeping through the night, 12 hours, from 8 weeks old. During the day, i would take her to the park, to go shopping with me, to visit grandma. Anything to keep us busy and keep her entertained. During the day we would play, she would take two to three naps and at night time, she would sleep like a baby... pardon the punn.

Kristin - posted on 02/24/2010

Usually at that young of an age..they will sleep when they want. Babies usually regulate themselves after a few months. If your baby was a couple months old then you should start using "tricks" to get him to sleep when he is supposed to, but as a new mom my Doctor said sleep when when the baby sleeps ,and for as long as he sleeps. Your baby has enough to adjust to right now so you should adjust to his needs or you'll drive yourself insane.

Charlotte - posted on 02/24/2010

This is a very old method they said to turn the baby up side down as the baby's time was messed up.

Nilda - posted on 02/24/2010

Try playing with him a little more during the day keeping him interested in something other than sleep especially around the time he going to sleep later in the day. n maybe if you give him a nice warm bath right before you all go to bed and a warm bottle of milk if ur not breast feeding him might help you.

Koral - posted on 02/24/2010

wow thought i was the only one that had that haha.. its sucks and i completely get where your cuming from.. i would just play with my daughter like do more movement i used to go for a walk every day so she new it was day time i tried to be active in day time and make sure lots of light was around and sounds and night time i would make it dark not bright and quiet like tv down low and low talking ect.. in day time make sure lots going on like music on a lil loud not to loud just so they get to no i bathed my children at same time every day that was at 4-5pm as it would make them very sleepy never did it in mornig as it made them sleep more.. good luck hope you get sleep

Terri - posted on 02/24/2010

the baby'f internal clock will eventually switch. This is one of the reasons that being a new parent is difficult. It will happen soon enough and for now sleep when he is sleeping....but, even when it changes, they are still up for a bunch of the night and this is normal. For a good night's sleep, I would hold off hopes until your baby is about 9 months. As for waking him up, I wouldn't unless there is an emergency and in that case get an ice cube and touch it to the bottom of his foot. Babies sleep because they need to! If we don't let them, they will not grow as they should. Good Luck!

Pamela - posted on 02/24/2010

I never scheduled my children . I slept when they did especially when newborn. I was a stay at home Mom so I had that luxurey I suppose. But usually by 6weeks they were keeping a conventional schedule on their own sleeping at least 6 consecutive hours at night.and then 8 hrs by 4 months plus several 1 to 2hr. naps during the day. As for husbands return to work you may have to do some couch sleeping so that he will get his rest.It will work out so don't get too anxious youv'e only begun the journey.

Rachell - posted on 02/24/2010

If this is your first child, just sleep all day and work around his schedule! He will change to normal hours soon enough. Raise the blinds during the day and close them at night. He will notice night time as quiet and day as noisy. It comes, if it is not your first child - only use calming voices at night, keep lights to minimum. During the day, be lound, playful, joyful etc... give bubs time, they'll get it. I have 3 and the middle child went to sleep school, woke 3 times a night for NO reason until sleep school, best sleeper now! my oldest has always been a great sleeper. She is now 7 and all of my children will have day sleeps if home ie weekends, etc.. Love sleep. Not necessarily to go down, but nod off easily. good luck.

Priya - posted on 02/24/2010

I think the best way is to breastfeed the baby whenever he/she is awake, well I had the same problem with my 2nd kid and all I did was just breastfed him and he would sleep. Slowly slowly try and change his sleeping habbits during the day, it might help you.

Caitriona - posted on 02/24/2010

I'd try keeping him in a bright room during the day well as much as you can,then darkness in the evening might sort the pattern,altho we all know babies will make up there own minds lol.

Lisa - posted on 02/24/2010

okay this will sound crazy but worked w/ my oldest....in the evening when baby is sleeping.....turn him clockwise in in crib....some say 3 times ....i don't know if it is a wives tale....but it either worked or my son was ready to change his schedule.....good luck and sleep whenever you can.....

Angela - posted on 02/24/2010

here is the advice. if u r breastfeeding all i can say is this is normal behaviour and all u can do is stay awake with bub and sleep while they sleep thru the day. called nana naps and very handy.

Angela - posted on 02/24/2010

he is 6 days old give him a break, didnt they tell you before you had a baby you wont get a whole load of sleep for the next few years, deal with it, this is what babies do especially the 1st 6 weeks or so.

Nicole - posted on 02/24/2010

Welcome to motherhood. The other posts are correct, it does get better. My experience has been to keep it light during the day, and dark and quiet at night. I walk in the stroller is great for putting them to sleep, as well as a bath. I put my sons bassinet int the lounge room during the day, then in his room at night. Everything changes at six weeks, and agin at six months. Stick it out, and definatley sleep when he does!