sleeping through

[Jess&Frank]

Hi
Frank has suddenly decided to start sleeping through the night - which is fantastic! Just when I'd given up all hope. However, it seems to have created a few issues. In the morning, my boobs are fit to burst, and I'm covered in milk (although that could be partly due to cheap breast pads). Is this going to calm down? I thought that was the whole point of breast-feeding, that it is in tune with my baby...
Also, I've found that I feed him at about 9am when he wakes up, but he then usually starts up a fuss again at 11am (2 hours later). I then try to sooth him for an hour so that it is 3 hours between feeds. But, yesterday, he got so beside himself that when I then offered him the breast, he wouldn't have it for 40 minutes and just screamed at me (very upsetting). Has anyone else found that after sleeping for 7/8/9 hours their baby needs a feed after 2 hours? Should I just not worry too much and feed him when he cries?
Thanks
Jess (and Frank who is 12 weeks old today - he's been an angel so far...)

[Amy]

Hi Jess

Lucky you that Frank is sleeping through. Maybe you've worked out why he's upset 2 hours after waking up, or perhaps he isn't anymore - its about 2 weeks since you asked your question. But if he is still getting upset then I suspect he's tired and needs a nap. I know its hard to believe if they've had loads of sleep at night but babies normally need to go back to sleep every couple of hours!

I hope he continues to sleep well at night for you....
Amy

[Jess&Frank]

Hi
Yes, he is still sleeping at night. We're very lucky. Although, it takes quite a lot to wake me up at night (I'm a very heavy sleeper), so he may be waking up but he's not screaming blue murder. He seems to have sort of settled into a routine now that he wants feeding at 8am, which takes til about 8.45 (partly because he has quite a big break between each side), but then he wants feeding again about half 9 - I count this as the 3rd side rather than another feed. Then, he goes to sleep for about an hour 10 til 11. Then, starving again.
So, yes, you're right, it is amazing how much sleep he needs! And there is absolutely no point trying to keep him awake when he wants to sleep! Unless you've got some good ear-plugs.
It would be great if he could do the whole feed between 8 and half8 though. Rather than dragging it out til 10! Can't have everything! He'll probably start something completely different tomorrow, now that I've got this pattern sussed!

Thanks for your advice.

Jess

[tinkertoes]

I have the same with Jacob... only I'm still waking up at 3 or 4 and not managing to get back to sleep for a few hours - which was never a problem at all after feeding him - aaaghhh! Any hints insomnimums on how to avoid - it's wonderful that he's doing so well - but I'm loads more tired now he's sleeping longer hours!?!

[Jess&Frank]

Hi
i had exactly the same problem with Frank when he first started sleeping through. The first 3 days, I felt much much much more tired than I had done until then. I was like my body suddenly remembered that it liked to sleep and it wanted to do a LOT more of it! But after a few days of just being in bed the whole time, it got better and I seemed to readjust. And then, miracles of miracles, I started to feel like me again!! It is amazing what sleeping all night, every night can do for you! I never used to know how lucky I was.
I hope the same happens for you and it all falls back into place in a few days. Failing that, I hear Gina Ford is a good read...
Jess

[Mousie]

I just wanted to say...........youre so lucky having little ones sleep through so early on! Mt daughter didnt start sleeping through until about 6 months ago. She is 4 in october!!

[Jess&Frank]

Hi

That sounds terrible!! I was just chatting to some mums today about how some children don't sleep through for ages! You poor thing! I have no idea how you've done it.

I was so incredibly grumpy when I wasn't getting a full night's sleep! And I certainly couldn't face doing anything during the day time other than catch up on some sleep.

Just to say - I think anyone who's up in the night is pretty incredible.

Jess

[Mousie]

believe it or not, you do get used to it!

its taken me a long time to get used to sleeping through again myself!! I was more tired after sleeping all night than I was when I was getting up several times a night! But it does take some getting used to and it certainly isn't easy.

[Jess&Frank]

Yes, I found that too... Frank used to be up at 3am and 6am every night. And then he started skipping the 3am feed and having the 6am one a bit later. I felt more tired then than I ever had done. Like my body was saying: "Ah yes, sleep, I remember this now, I'd like some more please."

[zebedee]

Keane never really slept through properly til about 3 years, even after he gave up the night time feeds he still woke me up about 7 times a night for other things such as his dummy. I got rid of the dummy last christmas so he was 3 and a half then, and hes been a very good sleeper since then, he only wakes me up occasionally!