Is your baby nocturnal?
Sleep deprivation and a night alone with a toddler and a 3 week old
So we are on week 3 with little Jessica, and to think she wasn't even due until 17th November, how time has flown by already. I am definitely savouring every second as I know we are not going to be having a third baby (no matter how cute they are as newborns). Everywhere we go she is the centre of attention with everyone asking how old she is and how big she was when she was born, seems very surreal to have such a small baby after Emilia (who was 8lbs 5ozs) but no one forgets Emilia with the attention which is nice so she feels important too.
Although Jessica is extremely cute she is also nocturnal!!!! she seems to be getting a little better but still sleeps more in the day than the night time. (any suggestions on how to keep a new born awake in the day will be greatly received!!!) I also had an extra interrupted night of sleep on Wednesday night when Matt had to stay the night away for work. Queue barely any sleep for mummy with the nocturnal baby and the toddler who decided she wanted to sleep in the dimly lit room, although did not want to sleep in the dimly lit room as every time Jessica made a noise she was bolt upright in the bed asking me if she was ok?! I eventually managed to get the toddler back off to sleep at around 4am. EURGH!! its a good job I like coffee!!! shattered was an understatement and Matt did not even reap the rewards of a night away in peace, instead was up until midnight!!! I know what I would of preferred to do..............SLEEP!!!!
The only good thing about being up at crazy times in the night feeding a newborn is catching up with missed tv. So far I am up to date with downton abbey, i'm a celebrity get me out of here and eastenders (mainly due to the fact I have been going to bed at 7:30pm for the past 3 weeks) that and responding to messages and emails when I don't have a chance in the day.......people must think i'm mad when they see the time I send the message!. The things you do to keep yourself sane and awake!! What does everyone else do during the night feeds?
Hey Charlotte, I will ask Alison our midwife if she has any tips to help you - if anyone else has tips please fire away, they will be made live once they have been checked.
When Peanut was a newborn, we just went with the flow... she was also nocturnal and eventually found her own rhythm. It wasn't so much a case of keeping her awake in the day because she still needed a lot of sleep, but we made sure that the TV was on loud, lights were bright and when it was bedtime it was pitch black. She learnt soon enough but it did take time.