Question...

angelsgirl · May 26, 2008

I'm just curious as to how long a 2 and a bit week old should be awake for???
Sometimes Maddie will be awake for 3 or 4 hours... and I really try to get her to go to sleep but she won't. Other times she will wake up and have a feed and then fall straight back asleep...
I'm just a little concerned about the length of time she is awake.

coffeegal · May 26, 2008

my newborns never seem to sleep. the only times they would sleep is in my arms.

Leanna · May 26, 2008

Eli is exactly the same way.... awake for a few long stretches, sleeps a lot the rest of the time.

Neenie1 · May 26, 2008

Has someone gone through the "tired signs" with you. This has helped me a lot when mine were newborns.

Overall it tends to vary with how long they are awake for. My ds didn't sleep the recommended 17 hours/day that they say is the minimum they should sleep for, whereas my dd slept for at least 20 hours a night (unfortunately not necessarily 8 hours in one go at night lol)

angelsgirl · May 27, 2008

No, no one has been through the tired signs with me...
But I could figure that rubbing eyes, droopy eyes, and general unsettledness (when there is nothing else wrong ie. clean nappy, fed, burped and no wind).
But anything other than that I don't know!

I'm just glad that its normal for babies to be awake for longer periods of time! I was concerned that she wasn't getting enough sleep time.

RedTulipMom · May 27, 2008

every baby is different...newborns will stay up a couple hours, sleep a couple hours, stay up a couple hours, sleep a couple hours...24 hrs round the clock. most wont sleep for more than 4 hours at a stretch even at night. Check to see her total sleep over a 24 hr period..it should be around 16-19 hours, which means she should be awake a total of 5-8 hrs each 24 hour period. I wouldnt worry, babies at that age pretty much know when they need sleep.

jgonz · May 27, 2008

None of mine were sleepers. One of mine Never slept more than 20 minutes at a time (day Or night). I think it depends on several things, one of which is the personality of the baby...

sparassidae · May 27, 2008

Depends on the baby. DDs have been typical newborns- generally fed, sleep, feed, sleep with a few brief awake periods.

DS on the other hand was completely happy to be awake for 6-8 hrs straight during the day (feeding frequently, and feeding every 2 hrs at night) from 2 days old.

I figure if awake = happy then don't worry, but if some of that awake = grumpy, then you need to find out the best way to help her sleep.

angelsgirl · May 29, 2008

sparassidae said:
I figure if awake = happy then don't worry, but if some of that awake = grumpy, then you need to find out the best way to help her sleep.

She's not happy past about the 2-3 hour mark. She starts getting all whingy and eventually it turns into her screaming.
I've tried holding her, rocking her, putting her in the pram and moving it, a bouncer, the sling, wrapping her, putting her in bed with me...
The sling works the best... but there are times when I really don't want to be wearing her or where it isn't practical to!
What else would you ladies suggest???
I'm open to anything atm!

sparassidae · May 30, 2008

angelsgirl said:
What sort of 'sling' are you using? I only ask because for me, there isn't any time (apart from when asleep and possibly in the shower) when it isn't practical to wear a newborn (toddler is a different matter).

That may mean changing the type of carrier you are using, to enable a back carry (yes it is very possible with a newborn). Then she is 'out of the way'. Pm me if you need some help.

angelsgirl · Jun 3, 2008

sparassidae said:
What sort of 'sling' are you using? I only ask because for me, there isn't any time (apart from when asleep and possibly in the shower) when it isn't practical to wear a newborn (toddler is a different matter).

That may mean changing the type of carrier you are using, to enable a back carry (yes it is very possible with a newborn). Then she is 'out of the way'. Pm me if you need some help.

I'm using a Bubzilla sling. It was so comfortable when I was trying it on with a doll... but i can't wear it for long periods of time.

What sort of sling/carrier would you recommend?

sparassidae · Jun 3, 2008

angelsgirl said:
I'm using a Bubzilla sling. It was so comfortable when I was trying it on with a doll... but i can't wear it for long periods of time.

What sort of sling/carrier would you recommend?

Hmmm I just googled them and was NOT impressed by their photo gallery. They all seemed to be carried too low and loose (meaning uncomfortable and heavy, not to mention unsecure). Also couldn't tell exactly what sort of carrier it is. Is it a pouch (no clip/rings/buckle) or does it have some sort of clip on the back? If it's a pouch, and you're carrying like the photos on their site then you've got it too big. If it's a clip sling then they are hard to adjust properly. I've never yet seen one that works well.

I used a ring sling with my first 3 children exclusively, and with practice never found it uncomfortable at all at least until they are about 3.5 years old. A well fitted pouch should also be very comfortable for long periods of time.

Other options are a mei tai (I've never used one with a tiny baby though plenty have), they are extremely easy to learn and also very comfortable. Also (and great for back carrying a young baby) is if you learn to use a wrap (wraparound carrier). Steep learning curve, but well worth it.

Sorry I can't recommend brands that are good, or their prices, or availability in Australia, because I make all my carriers (which is also an option for you if you can sew a straight line ). I think I pm'd you the link for the google group, there are heaps of people who are more knowledgeable about commercially available carriers.

Pm me if you want, I've been babywearing for a long time and love helping others.

Leanna · Jun 3, 2008

If you turn out to have a reflux baby then I recommend a carrier that keeps them upright since that is the position most prefer.

angelsgirl · Jun 4, 2008

The bubzilla has no clips or anything on it. It is incredibly comfortable for about 1/2 an hour. Then it becomes really, really, really uncomfortable. At first I thought it was because I had a caesar and my back muscles were sore from compensating my belly muscles... but i'm pretty much back to normal now and it does get very uncomfortable.
The other brands I am familiar with (cause we stock them at work) are Bubbs Moe Slings, Baby Bjorn and the Ergo Carrier.
I've heard good things about the Moby Wrap, but I am unsure as to whether I would use it cause there is more involved to get it on and off.

ugh... i just don't want to buy another one and find it doesn't work for us!!!

jgonz · Jun 4, 2008

My favorite sling is the Maya Wrap www.mayawrap.com

sparassidae · Jun 4, 2008

angelsgirl said:
The bubzilla has no clips or anything on it. It is incredibly comfortable for about 1/2 an hour. Then it becomes really, really, really uncomfortable. At first I thought it was because I had a caesar and my back muscles were sore from compensating my belly muscles... but i'm pretty much back to normal now and it does get very uncomfortable.
The other brands I am familiar with (cause we stock them at work) are Bubbs Moe Slings, Baby Bjorn and the Ergo Carrier.
I've heard good things about the Moby Wrap, but I am unsure as to whether I would use it cause there is more involved to get it on and off.

ugh... i just don't want to buy another one and find it doesn't work for us!!!

DO NOT buy a bubba Moe or a Bjorn! Absolutely hopeless and will be no more comfortable for you than the Bubzilla. The Ergo is very good apparently (I haven't used one but heaps of people rave about them in the babywearing circles). You can't breasfteed in them, but can use them into toddler years (yeah I know that seems a long way away now) and on your back.

I'm guessing the Bubzilla is too big, which will make baby feel heavy very quickly.

Moby is great, and I know it looks complicated but seriously the basic carry only takes about 10 minutes to learn. And the Moby is a stretchy wrap, so apparently (I've only used woven wraps) you leave it tied all day and just 'pop' baby in and out when needed.

You can learn over the internet (there are heaps of great videos to walk you through it, and practice with a doll or teddy bear until you're confident) or you can always find someone to teach you in person. Don't know if there is anyone closer than me but I can always ask on the google group.

BTW if you don't want to buy another carrier then you can DIY. In fact for a stretchy wrap like a Moby you don't even need to sew! I'll pm you the details.

angelsgirl · Jun 5, 2008

I went into work today and tried on the Baby Bjorn... Just to see if Maddie liked being upright. It was SO uncomfortable. My back started to hurt after about 20 mins (if that!). But the good thing is she likes being upright, which means I can choose whatever sort of carrier I want.
What is the difference between a woven wrap and a stretchy one? (I'm prob being very blonde at the moment!!!)

Can you have bub more upright in a Moby? the photos i've seen when the baby is more upright have been older babies than Maddie. I would like to have a carrier that I can use in whatever way I want.

sparassidae · Jun 5, 2008

1st- glad you hated the bjorn if it didn't hurt you now it would have in a few months, so at least you've saved your money.

2nd- the difference in wraps is the type of fabric. A stretchy wrap is precisely that- stretchy. So you can pre-tie and ten pop baby in and out. Stops being so comfortable after baby is bigger (I don't know, maybe 9 months?) and then people move onto a woven wrap (not stretchy, but more supportive). I've never used a stretchy wrap, just a woven, from newborn (had Jael up in a high back carry in my wrap from 10 days old) up to preschooler (it's my most comfortable carrier for my 4yo, not that I carry her much). You tie each of them the same ways.

3rd- you can use an upright position in all types of carriers from birth. The difference is unlike a bjorn the legs are usually tucked inside while they are little. Most of our babies like the cradle carry, but DD1 had reflux so she much preferred upright (tummy to tummy) in the ring sling from the time she was born.

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