Bad sleeper

[BowserFan]

Hi, I've got a 21 week old bub (he was 6 weeks premature so he's 15 weeks adjusted).

Over the last few weeks he has been sleeping awfully! He's never been a good sleeper but it's reached a point where I'm struggling to manage.

We have a bedtime routine which we do every day (bath, feed and bed) we've just shifted his bedtime earlier but it's still taking several hours for him to go down. He then will only sleep for an absolute maximum of 2 hours at a time. Last night he went down at 7:30 and woke up 6 times before 1am! Then we had a 2 hour stretch but then back to hourly wake ups until 7am when he was ready for the day.

He can't seem to settle himself to sleep so I have to feed/rock him to sleep and wait for him to get into a deep sleep before putting him into his cot.

He also struggles to nap and will only have a decent length nap either on me or in the pram. He won't sleep in his cot for more than 15 minutes.

I'm getting concerned that he isn't getting enough sleep and that I'm creating bad sleep associations but I current have no other choice.

Any advice would be really helpful and if anyone has been or is going through the same some solidarity would also be welcome!

Thanks

A

[RachelModerator Moderator]

Hi BowserFan

Sorry to hear you are struggling with sleep.

I am sure this is a topic where MANY parents will sympathise.

Hopefully they will share some techniques which have worked for them.

Don't forget the most important rule regarding sleep, which is to maximise any opportunities you have to catch up. Whether this means going to bed at same time baby does a few times a week, or try a cat nap when he does.

Take care,

Rachel

[LowestoftMumOfTwo]

Hi, I remember this all too well 😔 I am sorry you are going through this.

I had trouble with both my boys sleeping. One was breastfed and other was bottlefed.

I remember feeling absolutely exhausted.

Have you spoken to the health visitor to see if they can suggest anything?

I just want you to know that you are not alone, and you have probably heard of before but it will pass. I remember it like it was yesterday and my boys are 8 and 4 now ❤️

[MrsHello Community Ambassador]

Hi my babies are now older but I can completely sympathise with you on trying to set sleep routines. I can vividly remember those early days really well and the lack of sleep. For me I just focused on getting enough sleep myself and trying to keep going. How has the last week been for you? I hope you have had an ok week. Like others have said you are not alone with this and my health visitor really became a good contact for me around this. Take care lovely ☺️