How much sleep do you get after birth when bf?

[Spudtastic]

Soooooo

DD2 was born sat evening 8pm nz time. That night I couldn't sleep because I was on a high from birth. I got at the moSt 2 hours.

Second night - dd2 fed all night. I was at a birthing unit. I had a nurse helping me so we tried a few different techniques but DD2 just needed to feed. I didn't get to close my eyes until 4am and then I got 1.5 to 2 hours of broken sleep at the most.

Night 3 - so technically it's just over 2 days after birth. It's 2am and haven't closed my eyes yet. Dd2 just wants to feed. Every time I try to get her in her bed she wakes up. I try to settle her there (nappy check and burping done) but only a feed will settle her.

The midwife says it should only be until my milk comes in then DD2 will get a good feed and sleep.

I'm not so sure. Even dd1 who was a terrible feeder let me close my eyes for half an hour at a time between feeds so I could get at least 4 hours a night.

I have dd1 who doesn't nap and needs to be looked after early morning and in day time so I really could do with some sleep. Any help?

I'm going to speak to the midwife tomorrow about it but in the meantime anything would be appreciated.

 

[Cangaroo]

Gosh, that sounds though! Poor you!

With DD2 I co-slept from night 1 so she slept really well. We were sleeping through the night from night 2, though she was feeding frequently without either of us walking. DD1 wouldn't settle in a cot either, and we ended up co-sleeping. It took a while to accept it, though, and I lost out in a lot of sleep trying to get her to sleep somewhere she didn't want to be! With DD2, we were prepared to co-sleep from the very start, and it was wonderful. I didn't know it was possible to feel so well rested with a new born.

If co-sleeping is an option for you, look into how to do it safely (keep duvets and pillows well away, make sure baby stays between you and the side and not between you and your partner, no alcohol for anyone in the bed, no smokers in the house etc).

I hope you find something that works for you. It sounds utterly exhausting at the moment.

 

[noon_child]

It sounds rough, but normal too I'm afraid.

I was in labour for 5 days with my LO and I think I managed one 45 minute sleep in all that time. Then like you I was on a high after birth so didn't sleep initially. LO had problems latching so I had people coming constantly through the day trying to help (when she was too sleepy) then she screamed all night because she was hungry and struggling to latch.

I think the reality is there isn't a way to "make" a baby settle. If there was there'd be one hell of a billionaire in whoever found the way. I think the best way you are going to achieve sleep is by getting as much external support as possible to help look after your other child and the house, so that you can try to sleep when baby sleeps and investigate co-sleeping if you like the idea of it. Is there anyone who could take a holiday from work (or even unpaid leave) to help?? It seems like a drastic thing to ask people to sacrifice themselves for you and your baby, but you've both been through a physical ordeal and now have to rest and get to know each other. If you had been through an operation, or medical treatment that left you exhausted, would you think twice about asking for help?

If you really think LO isn't getting any milk (sunken fontanelle, dry nappies, poo still dark brown or green after day 5 etc.) then you could try hand expressing and syringe feeding it to her. However there is no guarantee a feed will help her settle without you. Some babies just need you there. Your presence regulates their heart rate and breathing and stabilises their temperature. I never got on with co-sleeping last time round but I'd definitely try it if I ever had another baby, as it seems babies are built to survive by being close to us!

 

[hanni]

This sounds identical to how my son was on his first few nights! We gave him a dummy. The first night he fed for 6 hours straight. Through the day he would feed for 2-3 hours at a time and then again after 20 minutes. He would still be sucking while he was asleep. A dummy was a life saver for us.

 

[winterbabies3]

Dd is 5 days old and I swear I have maybe gotten 10 hrs of sleep in those 5 days! Wishing you luck! Xx

 

[c1403]

Ouch, the lack of sleep is the worst during those early weeks. I BF my second DD and actually got more sleep then with my first who was FF and had bad reflux (wasn't up all night making bottles and sterilising and could just put her down after a BF). That said she doesn't sleep great now at 16 months and still loves to be BF and my eldest has always been a great sleeper once she was past six weeks. I think it's difficult to put a time on how much sleep you will get and when that will happen. Easier said then done (espically if you have an older child) but try and sleep when baby does.

 

[embeth]

Sounds exactly like my dd now, just wants to eat all night and won't settle in her crib. We co sleep but I don't ever sleep as well as I worry about squashing her, would love to be able to get her in their for couple of hours to get some decent sleep xxx