New mommy, stupid question...

Caiden will be 2 weeks old tomorrow. I know this is normal, but he's great all day, and at night he keeps us up, and mommy and daddy are exhausted! Does anyone know what this is from, and is there anything we can do about it? Please tell me it gets better!!! I am just soooo tired! Breastfeeding is going great, but it's the sleeping bit. HELP!

In a sentence: Sleep when he sleeps. I know I found it hard to do because I always felt that it was the time I could get things done but it's great advice. A few naps during the day (or just laying down to relax) might help you feel a little less exhausted. But he's still so small and with you bfing, the beginning is so tiring. I promise it will get easier though.

Just try to grab a nap whenever you can. If you have friends and family wanting to come visit or see the baby, it's OK to say no. That can drain you alot in the beginning although they mean well.




ETA: One other thing I just remembered I was told to do. When they're so little they have no concept of sleep at night, wake during the day. And of course they're sleeping alot period. But when he naps during the day, dont close the blinds or limit your regular noise level. At night, have the just the night light on and have it more quiet. That will help them start to distinguish between night & day

I agree with the ENTIRE post above!! IT WILL get better.. Hang in there!!!!

I too agree with the top post...

you can say no to visitors and they will understand- you have gone through a HUGE process to become mom and dad...you need time to adjust as does your body

nap when he naps...get someone else to clean up, do laundry, run errands...maybe one of those folks that are dying to see you...tell them to wear their grubby clothes cuz you need help cleaning up the home if they are close frineds they will udnerstand.

babies have to learn the difference between n ight and day. Try to establish some sort of routine when you want him to go down for the evening. A book, low lights, calm music, etc...we know at this age the wills till get up 2-6x a night..but it's the routine ..and he will soon adjust. I think most babies begin sleeping thru the night once they hit a certain weight...Julianne started having fewer feeding times during the night once she turned 3 monnths old...and we BFed too

I sympathize with you Melissa because I had the same problem with Gianna the first two weeks. She had her days and nights mixed up and one day me and her didn't go to sleep until 7AM!!!! I was out of my mind and didn't know whether I was coming or going. The dr said to not let her sleep more then 2-3 hours at a time during the day, but it was absolutely IMPOSSIBLE to wake her up (she sleeps like her mommy )!!! She finally outgrew it by the third week or so and now I'm happy to say that since she was 11 weeks old, she sleeps 10 hours a night!

As for the sleep when he sleeps, everyone told me that also, but I couldn't do it. When she slept is when I did everything, but that's the type of person I am!!

Don't worry, it'll get better!!!