New born help and advice

harty999

My wife and I have a 8 day old son. He is great at feeding and sleeping through the day.
But night time comes and he is a disaster trying to get asleep after his feed. Some nights we could be with him for over 4 hours trying to put him down. It has resorted to us putting him into his bouncer to sleep at night as he wont go near the moses basket. We are worried this cant be to good for his posture.
Any help would be fantastic.
Oh also it was an amazing feeling becoming a Dad for the first time he has melted my heart

tootoo

Hello,
new to this board. congratulations!
Babies often are at night. Does he cry or is it he just wants the comfort of mummy or daddy?

spaghetti_monster

Hi there and congratulations!
Sorry I don't have any easy answers (I also have a 5 week old I'm trying to figure out!)
One thing many people/books/etc say is that it's very normal for newborns to be more active at night and sleep during the day. When they were on the inside they were often lulled to sleep by Mum's activity during the day and more awake/moving at nighttime when she was lying still. I think it just takes quite a few weeks for them to sort out the day/night thing when they're born.
I often find some good basic advice here:
http://www.babycentre.co.uk/

Also you could think about splitting tasks a bit as sleepless nights are par for the course. Of course it's personal to your situation, but this is what we do (I'm breast feeding and don't have to work yet):
-I try and have an afternoon nap if possible.
-after a feed between 8.30-10.30pm, OH takes over immediately and I go straight to bed.
- he brings her for her next feed (11pm-1am)
- I do all the feeds/nappies/settling until the next day, whilst OH gets some sleep. (He's usually in with us but currently has to work a lot so slept the last few nights on the sofa)

ALso maybe it's good idea just to accept that you'll be up a lot for now, get a drink/snack whilst your busy in the night - I'm also very happy to have my ipad at hand to make the time go quicker!

fsdss

sit baby in bouncer or carseat for about an hour post feed to allow feed to settle down, and place a rolled up towel under the moses basket mattress head to raise the mattress (which reduces stretch on the tummy)

maybe a little reflux or colic symptoms, ask midwife.

Oh and CONGRATULATIONS x

Racheldevon

Hello, congratulations! Why not pop along to your local sure start children's centre (every community has one) and their services are free up to 5 years of age. Staff there will be able to support you, and there will be lots of baby related groups and services, from baby groups, baby massage, to breastfeeding groups (if this applies) and all sorts of other things

skintchick

If he likes the bouncer, you could try wearing him in a sling (not a Bjorn style, more like a wrap or ring sling) until he nods off, then untying the sling and putting him down asleep. Babies like motion and are often lulled to sleep by it.

He is 8 days old, so he won;t be in any kind of sleep pattern for a long time yet - their natural rhythms start to show around 12 weeks usually.

You can help them understand the difference between night and day by not being chatty at night, talking in a low voice and keeping the lights low.

If you explain a bit more about what he does at night we might be able to come up with some other ideas but be assured that it will pass, it won't be like this forever!

blue_eyes_2

Hi there and congratulations, I have a nearly 7 month old who was exactly the same, we tried everything, lots of cuddles, nice warm but not too warm room and womb music!!! I thought it ridiculous but yes you get womb music that sounds like the mothers heartbeat, it still settles our wee boy who is in the throws of teething!!! Good luck and enjoy every minute

mozzyc

Hi. Try pop onto the MSE Newborn to 1 year baby club thread. Sure you'll get some helpful answers there

lollipopsarah

Aw little darling cant get the night and day thing yet.
sorry but it takes time and will get better.
hugs and welcome little un
(thanks for all night tv)
xx

lavandergirl_2

Google Ewan, the sheep. I haven't tried it but I read good reviews and few MSE mums have recommended it.

Mrs-hoppy_2

Congratulations!!

We had the same thing for the first few weeks - they are so used to being in their mums tummy I think they find it really hard to settle in moses baskets etc at first. Our daughter only really slept when being held at first but after a few weeks she got used to the moses basket.

She has slept like an angel since being a baby now and is 15 months so it doesn't last long! We have another due in a couple of months so we will be back to that soon Enjoy every minute x