7 week old doesn't sleep

Melmeyercrous wrote: Hi all
My little girl is seven weeks old, and almost from the beginning she hasn't been very good at sleeping during the day. She would feed for anything from 10 to 40 minutes, and then sleep for a short while. The longest she sleeps is about 40 minutes, sometimes an hour but that doesn't happen a lot. When she wakes up she would be awake for a few hours. Most of the time she would be awake the whole day, and we can only get her to bed at about 11pm.
At night it goes a lot better, then she would sleep for 2 to 4 hours at a time. She is not difficult during her awake time, she is actually very content but wants to feed most of the time. I breastfeed mostly and supplement with formula some days. I am at my wits end, I know she needs her sleep. Any advice?

Hi there my lg is now 8 weeks and exactly the same. just takes power naps during the day but sleeps alot better at night. Only wakes up for feeds and then sleeps again.

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Hi Melmeyercrous

It is normal for babies to cat nap. Some are just cat nappers.

Watch your baby's tired signs and try to put her down for a nap after about 45 minutes to 1 hour of awake time, which is more or less the awake time for a 6 week - 2 month old. If she does not want to settle, try again in 15 minutes, but don't get stressed out about it. It may be a bit of a challenge in the first few days to get her down, as she may be short on sleep, which makes it harder for her to sleep. Do what you have to that gets her asleep, you won's be creating bad habits at 7 weeks. As soon as she sleeps more and her "sleep tank" is getting fuller, you may find its easier to get her down for a nap.

Both my girls took 20-30 minutes naps as babies. Oldest only started stretching naps when she got closer to 10 months. Our youngest still taking cat naps, with the odd hour nap, but those are few and far between.

All the best

you could try a wrap or sling.
babywearing helps sooth them and then you also have your hands free if you want to do something.
a lot of babies sleep very comfortably wrapped against mommy's chest

You a First time mom?

Me too. Best tip I've ever received is put the books away your baby is an individual.

If she is happy with little sleep she is probably very nosy about the world around her and that means she is very intelligent.

I know it is a struggle to do everything with a baby in the arms. Trust me it gets better.

Thanks! I feel better just knowing I'm not alone

It's bad I know. Those constant feedings are a nightmare. I developed depression after three weeks, but was because my LB cried constantly. We thought he was colicky, turned out he wasn't getting enough milk. We switched to formula and he turned from cranky baby to a sweet little thing. He still doesn't sleep much and yes getting time to do things is a battle.

It does get better though, you kinda adjust to the new normal. I just had to learn to let things go. If the dished aren't done then so be it.

Don't worry by the time she's three months old you'll feel like a pro.

Joanne23, how do you get time to do things? I feel like most days I don't eat or get out of my pyjamas before my husband gets home! It's very overwhelming, does it ever get better?